Exploring Explorations
...y be traversed in any part, and are adorned with a great variety of exceedingly lofty trees, which to appearance never lose their foliage...” (Columbus). Most believe that he lied in order to continue to explore...or maybe he didn’t. First of all, Columbus landed in the West Indies, which are a group of islands located in the Caribbean. The Caribbean is known for its many beautiful beaches and exotic islands. Millions of people travel there every year to explore this erotic and mysterious place for themselves. Secondly, Columbus is accused of enslaving Native Indians, but if we look closely at what he says in his writings, we may discover the truth. “On my arrival I took.....a few of the Indians, in order that we might become acquainted with one another’s language, and to gain knowledge of what their country contained.” (Columbus). As you can see from his writings, Columbus only wished to gain a sense of knowledge, to discover more information about the Indian tribe and the islands on which he had landed and can not be blamed for the actions taken by any of the men under his command. Columbus is also accused of stealing many things of value from these Indian tribes and sending them back to Spain as gifts for King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella merely to be used as bribes in hopes that they would continue to finance his voyage. No one is certain where, in fact, Columbus received these items, but he most likely got help from the Indians he had befriended on the islands. Another example of a fine explorer is Robert de La Salle. He explored the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. Like Columbus, de La Salle was in search for a path to India. He hoped to travel through the new world, across the Pacific Ocean, and then to India. Instead, he was sent down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. Never discouraged, de La Salle continued on his journeys. Along the way, he encountered many different Indian tribes. Though he may have manipulated them in some way, de La Salle did what he needed to in order to trade with them for food and other goods so that he and his men could survive and continue their explorations. John Smith was another great pioneer of the new world. He wrote many letters to the people of England. In his letters he tried to persuade his fellow Englanders to travel across the Atlantic Ocean to the new world. “And is it not pretty sport to pull up two pence, six pence, and twelve pence, as fas...