This large island was perhaps the most densely populatedplace in the world. Around it in all directions are many other islands,some very big, others very small, and all of them were, as we sawwith our own eyes, densely populated with native peoples calledIndians.
Thus, forty-nine years havepassed since the first settlers penetrated the land,the first so claimed being the large and mosthappy isle called Hispaniola, which is six hundred leagues incircumference. In the following year a great many Spaniards went therewith the intention of settling the land. The Indies were discovered in the year one thousand four hundred andninety-two. Bartoleme de Las Casas, Brief Account of the Devastation of the Indiesīartoleme de Las Casas, Brief Account of theDevastation of the Indies.
