Columbus writes he could overrun the island and make its people work

… “Let Your Highnesses believe that these lands are good and fertile in such quantity, and especially these of this Isla Española, that there is no one who could tell it, and no one can believe it unless he saw it. And let them believe that this island and all the others are as much theirs as Castile, for here nothing is lacking but a settlement and to command them to do what Your Highnesses may wish, because I with these people that I bring, who are not many, could overrun all these islands without hindrance, for I have already seen only three of these sailors go ashore, and a multitude of these Indians there, and all flee, without the sailors wishing to do them harm. They have no arms, and they are all naked and of no skill in arms and very cowardly, so that 1,000 would not stand against three, and so they are good to be commanded and to be made to work, to sow, and to do all else that may be needed, and to build towns, and to be taught to go clothed and to our customs.”