1508
1508: The Spanish crown authorized Juan Ponce de León to settle Puerto Rico after he discovered gold during a previous exploration across the Mona Passage.
1508: The Spanish crown authorized Juan Ponce de León to settle Puerto Rico after he discovered gold during a previous exploration across the Mona Passage. He established the first permanent settlements near the goldfields at San Germán and Caparra.
Source · p. 155
Rouse, The Tainos, 155