“I ordered each man to be presented with something, as strings of ten or a dozen glass beads apiece, and thongs of leather, all which they estimated highly; those which came on board I directed should be fed with molasses.”
- August 25th to October 31st, 1451 – May 20th, 1506
- Born in the Republic of Genoa (now Italy)
- Explorer and navigator
- He reached the Americas on his voyage in 1492 and is known as the discoverer of the “New World.”
Quote
“I ordered each man to be presented with something, as strings of ten or a dozen glass beads apiece, and thongs of leather, all which they estimated highly; those which came on board I directed should be fed with molasses.”
Explanation
In this quote, Christopher Columbus describes an exchange he orchestrated between his crew and the indigenous people he encountered during his voyages. Columbus ordered that each individual be presented with small gifts, such as glass beads and leather thongs, which were perceived by the indigenous people as valuable. The use of these items as gifts demonstrates how Columbus and his men attempted to establish rapport or win favor with the native populations. These goods, simple and inexpensive by European standards, were seen as treasures by the indigenous peoples, highlighting the differences in material culture and values between the two groups. The gifts also represent the early stages of cultural exchange (or, in many cases, exploitation) that occurred during European exploration and colonization.
The second part of the quote, where Columbus instructs that visitors to the ship be “fed with molasses,” is particularly telling. It reveals Columbus’s attempt to further entice or pacify the indigenous people by offering them something they might not have encountered before, effectively using food as a form of diplomacy. Molasses, a sweet and novel substance to the natives, served as a gesture of hospitality or an offering of good will. This action can be seen as part of the broader pattern of European colonial strategies—providing simple comforts or goods to create a sense of obligation, while subtly asserting dominance or control through economic dependence.
In modern times, this quote could be interpreted as an example of early forms of negotiation and trade, where both sides engaged in exchange, but often with asymmetrical power dynamics. The use of seemingly innocuous gifts or gestures—such as beads or food—continues to be a tactic in diplomacy and cultural exchange today. However, as history shows, such exchanges frequently carried deeper, often exploitative motives. The example of feeding with molasses might also serve as a reminder of how colonial powers often used small, superficial gestures to manipulate or control indigenous populations, offering them goods that masked the larger agendas of exploitation and dominance.
