Benzoni, an Italian, acted as a mediator between different nations. The work describes life of the first nations of Central America. Benzoni wrote at a time when the Spanish treatment of the Indians was a concern, and described the cruelty of the Spanish towards the Indians and African slaves - the famous "Black legend". The work is beautifully illustrated with engravings of the Native Americans and Spanish conquistadors. It including images of Nicaraguans dancing, how they held their markets, and made war, and of slaves being harshly treated.

This engraving depicts Balboa collecting gold from the natives of modern day Panama. Panciaco, one of the local Indians, led Balboa to the top of a high hill, near the ARchipelago de las Perlas, from which they first sighted the Pacific. This is probably the earliest illustration to show the sighting of the Pacific Ocean (top left of the image).