Hispaniola
The Arawak/Taíno people travelled often and used hollowed canoes with paddles when on the water for fishing or for migration purposes, and upwards of 100 people could fit into a single canoe. The Taíno came in contact with the Caribs, another indigenous tribe, often. The caribs lived mostly in modern day Puerto Rico and northeast Hispaniola and were known to be hostile towards other tribes. The Arawak/Taíno people had to defend themselves using bow and arrows with poisoned tips and some war clubs. When Columbus landed on Hispaniola, many Taíno leaders wanted protection from the Caribs.
Juan de Esquivel
Friar Bartolomé de las Casas wrote Spanish authorities about his conduct during the Higüey massacre of 1502. According to Bryan Edwards, he was "one of the few Castilians...distinguished for generosity and humanity". The island was populated by natives: Arawaks and Tainos. Although Esquivel or his men could not find gold in the island, they developed the colony towards producing cotton. Feuding between the Spanish Crown and Diego Columbus meand Michel de Passamonte would be sent to replace him.