I do not see what right any one would have to object to calling this part [that is, the South American mainland], after Americus who discovered it and who is a man of intelligence, Amerigen, that is, the Land of Americus, or America: since both Europa and Asia got their names from women.

Cosmographiae Introductio

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. d’Errico, Peter. “American Indians – Native Americans: A Note on Terminology.” Peter d’Errico’s Law Page, University of Massachusetts, Accessed 8 Jun. 2014.
   • Whether from confusion or romanticism, “Indian” is a word of illusion, not a description of reality. But the word has stuck. It is commonly used by indigenous peoples of this continent to refer to themselves in a generic way, as a supplement to their real names. It is used throughout “federal Indian law,” the domain of United States law concerned with rights and status of the original peoples of this land.
2. Columbus, Christopher. The First Letter of Christopher Columbus to the Noble Lord Raphael Sanchez Announcing the Discovery of America. Facsimile of the 1493 Latin edition with translation by Henry W. Haynes, Boston: Published by the Trustees, 1891.
   • On the thirty-third day after leaving Cadiz I came into the Indian Sea, where I discovered many islands inhabited by numerous people. I took possession of all of them for our most fortunate King by making public proclamation and unfurling his standard, no one making any resistance. To the first of them I have given the name of our blessed Saviour, trusting in whose aid I had reached this and all the rest; but the Indians call it Guanahani.