Letters to the King: A letter from Vasco Nuñez de Bolboa, on behalf of provinces of the Gulf of Darien, to King Ferdinand II, 1513

In this 1513 letter to King Ferdinand II, conquistador Vasco Nuñez de Bolboa pleads to the Spanish king, Ferdinand II, for supplies. His justification for the necessary needs for supplies is to further the colonization of the Spanish controlled provinces surrounding the Gulf of Darien. Firstly, Bolboa describes to King Ferdinand II how he has taken on the men of two recently exonerated governors of the region, the addition of these men to Bolboa’s company is stated as the first reason why the explorers are in desperate need of supplies as they have “come close to hunger on many occasions.” Secondly, Bolboa details the valiant efforts of his company to valiantly explore the land around the gulf in the name of the Spanish crown. Through this reason, the reader can view some of the first descriptions of the types of lands, terrains, indigenous people, and resources of the provinces of the isthmus. The land is described to contain many marshes, mountains, and forests which are difficult to traverse. The indigenous people of the land are described as horribly, evil cannibals and murderers of Christians. Importantly, the land on the isthmus is detailed to be rich with gold, guanín, and pearls, so much so that the native people possess baskets and large bounties of the precious minerals and riches. 

Bolboa uses the qualities of the provinces and the valiant tales of his company to entice the King to send resources. Bolboa requested 500 additional men, materials for fortress building, and a stockade of armaments be sent to Santa Maria de La Antigua, the nearest port, for the further colonization of the provinces in the Gulf of Darien. Bolboa explains to the king that the need to invade the interior of the isthmus, leading war against the indigenous peoples for they control the rich mines of the land. Concurrently, the remaining “Indians” should be sold into slavery on the island of Espanola. The taking of the interior would give much service to the king as the region is rich with spoils, a business venture that would be foolish for the king to not seek. 

It is important to consider the ideologies and consequences of colonization that are represented in this source. Diligence and service to the king are heavily present. Equally, the economic ventures needed for colonization as well as the economic reward for the Kingdom of Spain. A topic of focus that will be featured throughout this project is the indigenous people of Panamanian history and in this article, we can see that the indigenous people are deemed savages and cannibals but the indigenous communities of the isthmus are the gateway to the attainment of riches. 

Works Cited:

Anderson, Charles L. G., “Life and Letters of Vasco Nunez de Bolboa,” New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1970. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/txu.059173018347192?urlappend=%3Bseq=7

By: Peyton O’Laughlin