Colon en Puerto-Rico

by Cayetano Coll y Toste

"Colon en Puerto-Rico" by Cayetano Coll y Toste is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This work explores the contentious claims of three towns in Puerto Rico regarding their connection to Christopher Columbus’s voyages, specifically his second journey to the Americas. The book seeks to clarify these points of dispute with historical and philological analysis, aiming to contribute to the understanding of the island's early colonization history. At the start of "Colon en Puerto-Rico," the author sets the stage for a debate over the exact location where Columbus and his crew first set foot in Puerto Rico. He discusses the rival claims of Aguada, Mayagüez, and Guayanilla, emphasizing a desire for objective analysis rather than local pride. Coll y Toste introduces the historical complexities surrounding Columbus's expeditions, referencing various scholars and historical documents to support his narrative. He highlights the loss of Columbus's original diary and the challenges historians face in accurately piecing together the events of the time, thereby foreshadowing an in-depth examination of the voyage's historical significance and the controversies it engendered.