<P> Prior to the trans - Atlantic slave trade, Columbus directly participated in and championed the slave trade . Upon landing in what is now known and assumed to be San Salvador Island, Columbus encountered the Taíno . In his journal of 1492, Columbus noted that </P> <P> It appears to me, that the people are ingenious and would be good servants and I am of opinion that they would very readily become Christians, as they appear to have no religion . They very quickly learn such words as are spoken to them . If it please our Lord, I intend at my return to carry home six of them to your Highnesses, that they may learn our language . </P> <P> The idea of enslaving the Tainos had instantly struck Columbus as plausible, even desirable . "They ought to be good servants," he continued, "and of good skill, for I see they repeat very quickly whatever was said to them ." As part of his journey, </P> <P> Columbus had planned to inaugurate a regular slave trade between the Indies and Spain . With gold in short supply, the slave trade gradually took on greater urgency . Portugal and Genoa had their slave trade, why not Spain? Columbus set about establishing a slave trade including both Caribs and Tainos . </P>

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