"It is better to doubt what we do not know than to insist on facts that are not proven."
First Voyage, p. 29

"From this he develops an argument that, while admitting Columbus's courage, minimizes his achievement and suggests that he was not discovering but rediscovering the New World."
First Voyage, p. 31

"God has restored this realm to the kings of Spain after many centuries."
First Voyage, p. 31

"It is no marvel that such Catholic princes should be more concerned with winning souls for salvation than with treasure and new estates which would only increase their royal cares and responsibilities, nor that they decided to back this project of discovery."
First Voyage, p. 35

"[Y]our Highnesses as Catholic princes and devoted propagators of the holy Christian faith have always been enemies of the sect of Mahomet and of all idolatries and heresies."
First Voyage, p. 37

"These people seemed to...