Journal Prompt 9/10

Read the comments from Columbus' journal and then respond to the question:

Thursday, 11 October [1492]. "As I saw that they were very friendly to us, and perceived that they could be
much more easily converted to our holy faith by gentle means than by force.... Weapons they have none, nor are acquainted with them, for I showed them swords which they grasped by the blades, and cut themselves through ignorance. ...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.    

Based on this excerpt from Columbus,  How does Columbus feel about the peoples he has just encountered?  What implied intentions did the Natives have verus  what Columbus mentions?   In your opinion, if this is the beginning of the Columbian Exchange, who has the advantages in trading the Natives or Europeans? Why?   (If you need to look up the word Columbian Exchange use the SS Glossary)