Expanding the Spanish Empire-sept. 24th 1493

Dear Diary,

Tomorrow is the day. This will be the most monumental voyage I have ever gone on to date. Nothing can compare to what the turn out of this expedition could be. It is such an honor to go from being a simple privateer, attacking ships that belonged to the Moors; to working along the side of the influential, Christopher Columbus. Columbus is going on his second voyage to expand the Spanish Empire. This is such a significant and meaningful expedition that calls for sixteen to seventeen ships and about one thousand five hundred burly and powerful men. The make up of these men include; sailors, cartographers, farmers, artisans, priests and men who specialize in devices like; chronometers, barometers and sundials. The main focus of this voyage is to settle a Spanish colony, mine for gold and to convert the Natives to our dear Christianity. I am physically and internally undergoing a mix of anxiety and angst along with pride to be a part of this upcoming journey.

Harshness of the Second Voyage-Oct. 1, 1493

Dear Diary,

I have only been on this voyage for a few long, wearing days and so far we have experienced harsh and tiring situations. The other day I walked around the bow of the ship. I saw men feeding the pigs, horses and cattle that were taken on the ship and spotted Columbus. He was using the compass, trying to reinforce ourselves that we were heading towards the right direction. Life at sea is very different from the way we live on land. Our clothes are not freshly clean like they always are, our food and water supply is decreasing and people are becoming ill because of these circumstances. I must add that the large quantity of ships we have chosen to use for this voyage has been a vast advantage. The ship that I settle on has an extensive size in length. It is one the biggest in size out of the seventeen ships. However, a couple of nights ago there seemed to have been a menacing storm that hit. As the workers aboard tried to navigate in the right direction, some workers lost their lives with the powerful winds and enormous waves. The sail was moving more rapidly than I have ever seen it, catching the great winds from the storm and using all of its force to impel the ship. The more struggles we have on board, the more anxious I get to arrive on the land. Some men are predicting that we will arrive on land soon, but my prediction is still not constructive.

After the Second Voyage-Sept. 29, 1494

Dear Diary,

Our journey to the Americas has ended. We established a Spanish settlement in Haiti and searched for gold along with gaining a wealth of experience from this voyage of discovery. We encountered many different events throughout this long, arduous journey. We explored Hispaniola and had a few encounters with a hostile Carib’s and Arawak Native Indians. Christopher Columbus has left to return to Spain, to collect his earnings but I have decided to stay in Santo Domingo instead. I plan on going on a few of my own expeditions, if I can. I hope to travel to the Americas, find new land there, and claim it for the Great Spanish Empire.

Appointed Governor-1509

Dear Diary,

In my life, I have completed many beneficial goals and accomplished the unsuspected. The voyages and expeditions I have gone on have mostly been successful, but difficult in several ways. All my successes have given me the great opportunity to be a governor. Former Hispaniola Governor, Nicolas de Ovando sent me to look for gold and I ended up taking five very large vessels and two hundred people to work with me. Successfully, we did find gold and also established another colony along with creating a foundry for refining the gold. Then, my workers and I found the town of Caparra that was near a large and gorgeous bay around the north coast. Now, King Ferdinand of Spain is appointing me, Juan Ponce de Leon, as the very first, initial governor of the land. Tomorrow there will be a ceremony to honor my great accomplishments and my loved ones and fellow peers will give me recognition. My goal to be a prosperous governor is to make strong, intellectual, and fully put-together decisions. My achievements are finally being acknowledged.

Removed from Office-1511

Dear Diary,

I had with great pleasure to be crowned to colonize and govern the island of Puerto Rico. Once Christopher Columbus died his son Diego was denied to have them same authorities as his father had. Diego Columbus did take his claim to the top court in Madrid, and he did win his rights. I am very upset that he had won because I really enjoy running Puerto Rico. I was removed from office and decided that I do not want to serve Diego. This is why I now have decided to obtain title and to explore the areas north of Cuba. I want the best to what happens to Puerto Rico, I just believe that I have shot my name down to not wish to serve, at any point, to Diego.

The Fountain of Youth-March 1, 1513

Dear Diary,

In a few days I shall set sail on my voyage to find the legendary Fountain of Youth. While some think that it is just a legend, I am sure that it is true; there is no doubt in my mind that I won’t find the fountain. I learned about this happy land from the Indians. Legend has it that on the island of Bimini there is a river, spring or fountain where the waters have miraculous curative powers. Any elder could bathe in them and would regain his youth. If you bathe in this fountain you not only regain your youth but gain internal life. The spring contains not only perpetual youth, but is teemed with gold and all sorts of riches. Many Arawaks have gone and never returned. This is evidence that they must have found the happy land and that it truly exists. King Charles V has made me pay for all voyage expenses; therefore I cannot make this a large trip. I have equipped three ships, The Santa Maria, The Santiago, The San Cristobal. I have approximately two hundred men joining me. I am feeling lucky towards finding the Fountain of Youth.

Bimini-February 23, 1512

Dear Diary,

Today Charles V granted me a patent authorizing me to discover the island of Bimini. This is such a wonderful opportunity. But on the other hand I do miss my family as well. I’m making lots of plans on what I shall do for the island. I am going to colonize Bimini for Spain. This island is going to be a very safe one. I will not allow any intruders or invaders in to our territory. I plan on building my own army to make sure that no one will come in. All rebels will be put to death. Religion will be a very big deal for the citizens that live there. All religions will be converted to Christianity and it will stay that way. I am going to be on a very tight look out for this island and I will turn it into something extravagant.

Pascua de Florida-April 5, 1513

Dear Diary,

I spotted an island but decided to keep sailing without landing. I then landed on another area and claimed it for Spain. I decided to name it Pascua de Florida or “feast of flowers” because the vegetation was in bloom and we arrived on Palm Sunday. I then sailed south of Pascua de Florida and charted the river that I had seen. I sailed around the area and then back down to head back toward Puerto Rico. I met one Native American that spoke Spanish. I observed the stream currents as well as the land. I think there has been someone on that land before me but I have claimed it before they have. I have claimed it for my country Spain and I am very proud of it.

An arrow in my neck-1521

Dear diary,

I have unfortunate news; I have been shot with a poisonous arrow on my latest expedition. I sailed to Florida in one final search for the wonderful Fountain of Youth. A few days ago I landed on the southwest coast of Florida. Immediately we were brutally attacked by the Calusa Indians. My men and I sprang into action and fought back with all our strength. They ran at us with bow and arrows screeching in high-pitched voices, it was like a pack of animals running in a formation. They were very skilled fighters and knew how to hit an opponent’s weak ends. They not only used land attacks but also oceanic attacks, I could immediately tell that they had done this before and we were nothing new to them. They outsmarted us and soon before I knew it I had something logged in my neck. I felt a great pressure and warmth around the wound. I looked down to have my eyes bestowed upon a wooden, hand carved arrow. There was a metal point at the tip that contained a red liquid in it. I knew immediately my time was soon going to end and all would go black. I was very lucky and stayed awake, I sat down and saw my entire crew retreat to the ships and leave. I was left there on the warm ground, helpless; my faithful crew had failed me. They luckily have spared me my life and allowed me to go to a hospital; I am now in Havana Cuba. Every breath I take and every move I make it drains the energy out of me, I need to rest now.

Turning Black-July 1521

Dear Diary,

My injuries have not been well. I am in critical care but I am even struggling to inscribe. Looking back at my journey’s I have conquered the unthinkable. Reminiscing the times as just an inexperienced child, I am never the less thankful to be born into nobility and to under-go training to become a fierce and dominant knight. I will always remember Pedro Nunez de Guzman who I served as his page and soon had become his squire. Even though, I had to help take care of my master’s needs and help him in battles, I was taught to read, write, ride horses, and hunt and to fight. Without these teachings, I doubt I would have been successful in the expeditions I took on in my life. Becoming a knight and entering the military campaign at a younger age, was an advantage for my successes. Here, on my deathbed I feel nothing but integrity and satisfaction for my accomplishments and truly believe that I am a mighty and courageous leader.