My Return to Portugal

I have now journeyed back home to Portugal. I have brought with me the good news of the discoveries of the new islands Porto Santo and Madeira. I delivered the good news to Prince Henry the Navigator who was delighted by my findings. He rewarded my crew and I and announced that we had found new islands for the country of Portugal. I have now located these islands to be in the Atlantic Ocean West of Africa. Prince Henry the Navigator was so delighted by my glorious discoveries that he asked me and more men to return to the islands and colonize them. We are to return to Madeira and Porto Santo to colonize as well as cultivate the land. I have told Prince Henry the Navigator about the wonderful forests on the island of Madeira. I look forward to returning to my discoveries and colonizing and cultivating them. Prince Henry has awarded me leader of half of the island of Madeira.

My Accidental Discovery

We have been at sea for quite a long time now and some of my men have been getting ill. Many days ago we lost sight of the other ships. It seems as though the powerful winds have blown our ship off of our original course and into a different direction. Our new path has led us into some islands. I have docked our boat on the smaller of the two islands and named it Porto Santo which means Saviour Port. I have named it Porto Santo because it has saved us from sea and violent storms. We have not spotted any other man on this island, therefore I have claimed this land in the name of Portugal and King John I. There are many large forest on the other island which I have named Madeira. These forest can supply wood to our country. We shall return to Portugal and spread the word of these two newly found islands to Prince Henry the Navigator. I feel that my crew and I will be rewarded for our new discovery. We shall leave these islands and return to Portugal as soon as we have explored the remainder of the forests and land.

Departing From Spain

Today I had been gathered at a villa in Sagres, built by Prince Henry the Navigator himself. He had gathered many very skilled mapmakers, geographers and navigators as I am my self. We are told that we will be sailing south to explore the western and southern coasts of Africa. We are embarking on this journey in many ships departing from a harbour by the name of Lagos. Our journey has now begun and we are sailing south to Africa as I write. We hope to find new land for our country, slaves, gold and other precious metals, spices and to spread our Christian faith. I am praying for our fleet's health and well being.