April 15, 1499

Dear Diary,

Today, my dreams came true! I have just heard word that my request to go to Asia was accepted. I am embarking on an expedition to India. I am quite eager for this experience. I feel as though my entire life has been building up to the moment when that ship departs from the dock. My father, Nastagio Vespucci, has always preached curiosity to me, and my three brothers. Perhaps that is why I have always loved books, especially concerning science, and geography. I received an education pertaining to Classical Greek, and Latin texts. I worked as the Medici financial manager in Paris, France for fifteen years. I am not the only soul who is inspired by the evidence that Christopher Columbus has returned with. One can haul in a fortune if one plays his cards right in Asia. Technically, I am representing the Spanish financial interest backing this journey, basically a veedor. This task will not only be a new type of test of my knowledge, but also will augment my idea of a once in a lifetime event. Not all of the supplies are ready for such a long trip. We plan to leave in May, and until then, I will be waiting anxiously.

Amerigo Vespucci

June 20, 1499

Dear Diary,

My crew and I left the port of Cadiz and we left to begin our voyage to the Fortunates Isles. They are situated in the Ocean-sea in the west. We remained eight days in the City of Lisbon, taking anything necessary like food, water, or wood. We said our prayers, weighed anchor, beginning our course westward. We have sailed for thirty-seven until we reached a land that I believe it is a continent.

Amerigo Vespucci

June 29, 1499

Dear Diary,

It is 75 degrees from the isles of Canary. We anchored our ships a league and a half from the land. We were heading towards the land, and before we reached the land, we had a great sight of numerous people going along the shore, who were much rejoiced. We noticed that they were of naked race. They shewed themselves to stand in fear of us. I believe this is so because they saw us clothed.

Amerigo Vespucci

February 4, 1500

Dear Diary,

I have learned much of navigation through the experience of this voyage. I have learned to make better use of Polaris (North Star), and the occasional Transit of Venus. The crew’s scheduled shifts are always linked with the hourglass, an innovative tool that tracks time. Using the lead line, I am surprised at the unfathomable depth of the ocean floor. There is a Franciscan monk upon our boat, and his mission is to aid in the spread of the Christian faith. Returning from the Indies is like trying to prod a young child from a play pen. I am not going to cry over this departure, but I will long for the discovery of new facts.

Amerigo Vespucci

July 8, 1500

Dear Diary,

I can not explain the euphoria of spying a new landmass approaching on the horizon. Looking back at the voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, I have concluded that we did not find Asia. Why did we find no famous Indian spices? The commute was less painful than expected, thanks to strong trade winds. For my peace of mind, I need an upgraded compass and astrolabe on my next mission.

Sometime soon, hopefully I will go on another trip to what Columbus calls India. I have a little secret just between you and me: I think this place should be called Mundus Novus (the New World). Someday, I will be able to prove my theory. I consider luck to be on my side, because I did not contract scurvy.

Amerigo Vespucci

February 20, 1501

Dear Diary,

Thank god for Manuel I and the Portuguese. For without their help, I would never be able to stop pondering about whether or not what I saw was Asia or something else. I really think Cristobal Colon (Christopher Columbus) was severely mistaken. I think he either did not know, or was too stubborn to admit that the newfound land is not Asia. I hope this ship can cross this ocean as fast as the last time I went on this voyage, 24 days fast. So far, Goncalo Coelho seems like a worthy captain. first we are stopping off at Cape Verde and I can’t wait until we get there; I’ve never been there.

Now, hopefully, god is looking out for us and will protect our crew from a storm catastrophe.

Well, wish me luck.

Amerigo Vespucci

May 1, 1501

Dear Diary,

Wow, we came across two of Pedro Álvares Cabral’s Ships near Cape Verde; I hope I get to see what he saw someday, namely Asia. We have been docked in Cape Sao Roque and I’ve already noticed some new Star Constellations like the Alpha and Beta Centauri and the Crux. It is strange that I’ve never seen them before. We are going to check out some more rivers and meet some more natives, who have so far been pretty welcoming to us and I’ve also tried many new and strange fruits that grow here. I’ve also seen many different plants than that of Asia and Europe. I’m not sure these people are Indians but maybe completely different, like a race previously unknown. I learn more about them every day. I think that this would be a valuable place to colonize for Portugal because of the high money making potential. There are a lot of foods that people would like back in Europe.

Well, now we are going to set sail for, well, somewhere.

God, keep us out of trouble.

Amerigo Vespucci

August 27, 1501

Dear Diary,

I’ve spent close to a year sailing down the coast of this land and studying these new and strange tribes and civilizations. I am convinced that they are not Asian at all. I decided to call this place the New World (Mundus Novus) because it seems to be a new way to discover wealth. I just hope that Portugal makes its claim here before Spain and England take it all. I wonder how much money I can make by discovering that this is not India. I’m not sure I want to stay with Medici anymore, although it does earn me a little spending money, but I’d like to train pilots (term used to refer to captains of naval vessels). Maybe I could get a job that has to do with books because I love to read. Well, soon we’ll be leaving Rio de la Plata.

I hope there will be something for me in the New World.

Amerigo Vespucci

November 25, 1501

Dear Diary,

Now we’re heading back after a year and a half away from home. I’m just starting to feel homesick now, but we’ll be home soon. Well I’ve been sending some letters back to Lorenzo di Pier Francesco de Medici. I’ve been explaining to him my belief that this is not India but actually a New World (Mundus Novus) and also I have been telling him of the natives I have met and studied. I don’t know if he has even read them yet but I hope he reads them before I return; I will need someone to talk to about all this. It seems that the goals of this voyage were fulfilled but not what the Europeans want to hear though. The Europeans want to know that we found an easy route to the Spice Islands or to India, but that won’t happen because there is a huge continent in the way of another route to Asia. When our crew sailed to the southernmost tip of the New World, we saw another vast ocean stretching westward.

Home is where the heart is.

Amerigo Vespucci

December 13, 1503

Dear Diary,

Sailing under a Portuguese flag is not much different than for the Spanish King, and Queen. We were surprised to find land as southerly as 55°S latitude. It took a lot more time to cross the Atlantic the second time, because of weak winds. In my letters to my friend, Pier Soderini, I described the diet, religion, sexual, marriage, and childbirth practices of the indigenous people here. These people’s habits are in some ways similar, and in other ways, exceptionally different. I would like to learn more about their lifestyles. As our boats sailed alongside the coast of Mundus Novus, we mapped the coastline. Maybe this will be the way of the future. I am rather pleased with my accomplishments on this earth.

Amerigo Vespucci