Ruins of San Francisco Church, Santo Domingo City A "Calvario" in the Road Road Scene: A Mudhole Wharf and Harbor of San Pedro de Macoris Entrance to Cathedral of Santo Domingo "House of Columbus," Ruins of Diego Columbus' Palace The "Tower of Homage," the oldest fortification erected by white men in America: View from mouth of Ozama River View from within fort Puerto Plata Scene: Milkmen Puerto Plata Scene: The Ox as a Riding Animal Sanctuary of Santo Domingo Cathedral Diagram of Sanctuary of Cathedral Lead Box found in 1877 with Remains of Columbus Inscription on Lid of Lead Box Obverse Side of Silver Plate Reverse Side of Silver Plate The Bane of Santo Domingo: Intrenchment at Puerta del Conde during a revolution Independence Plaza, Santo Domingo City Cathedral Plaza, Santo Domingo City SANTO DOMINGO CHAPTER I HISTORICAL SKETCH.--DAYS OF THE CONQUEST.--1492 to 1533 Aborigines.--Discovery.--Founding of Isabela.--Disaffection of the colonists.--Indian wars.--Oppression of the Indians.--Founding of Santo Domingo City.--Roldan's insurrection.--Humiliation of Columbus,--Ovando's administration.--Extermination of the natives.--Administrations of Diego Columbus.--Treaty with Indian survivors. When Columbus, in December, 1492, sailed along the northern coast of the island of Haiti or Santo Domingo, he was more enchanted with what he saw than he had been with any of his previous discoveries. Giant mountains, covered with verdant forests, seemed to rise precipitately from the blue waters and lift their heads to the very clouds. Beautiful rivers watered fertile valleys, luscious fruits hung from the trees, fragrant flowers carpeted the ground, and the air was filled with the songs of birds of gay plumage. There were scenes of nature's magnificence such as are found only in the tropics. Columbus, as he gazed upon them in admiration, little thought that this beautiful island was to witness his greatest sorrows, that it was to be his final resting place, and that it was in later generations to become the theater of long years of war and carnage. At the time of its discovery the island of Santo Domingo was thickly inhabited. The native Indians were Arawaks belonging to the same race as those who occupied the other larger West India Islands. Unlike the fierce Caribs who inhabited some of the smaller Antilles, the Arawaks were of a gentle and meek disposition. They were inclined to idleness and sensuality. Columbus lauded their kindliness and generosity; the possession of these traits, however, did not prevent them from fighting bravely when exasperated.