David Voelker's List: Pre-Columbian and Colonial America Resources

On the part of the King, Don Fernando, and of Doña
Juana, his daughter, Queen of Castille and León, subduers of the
barbarous nations, we their servants notify and make known to you, as best
we can, that the Lord our God, Living and Eternal, created the Heaven and
the Earth, and one man and one woman, of whom you and we, all the men of
the world, were and are descendants, and all those who came after us. But,
on account of the multitude which has sprung from this man and woman in
the five thousand years since the world was created, it was necessary that
some men should go one way and some another, and that they should be divided
into many kingdoms and provinces, for in one alone they could not be sustained.

 

  Of all these nations God our Lord gave charge to one man,
called St. Peter, that he should be Lord and Superior of all the men in
the world, that all should obey him, and that he should be the head of
the whole human race, wherever men should live, and under whatever law,
sect, or belief they should be; and he gave him the world for his kingdom
and jurisdiction.

  And he commanded him to place his seat in Rome, as the spot
most fitting to rule the world from; but also he permitted him to have
his seat in any other part of the world, and to judge and govern all Christians,
Moors, Jews, Gentiles, and all other sects. This man was called Pope, as
if to say, Admirable Great Father and Governor of men. The men who lived
in that time obeyed that St. Peter, and took him for Lord, King, and Superior
of the universe; so also they have regarded the others who after him have
been elected to the pontificate, and so has it been continued even till
now, and will continue till the end of the world.

  One of these Pontiffs, who succeeded that St. Peter as Lord
of the world, in the dignity and seat which I have before mentioned, made
donation of these isles and Tierra-firme to the aforesaid King and Queen
and to their successors, our lords, with all that there are in these territories,
as is contained in certain writings which passed upon the subject as aforesaid,
which you can see if you wish.

Wherefore, as best we can, we ask and require
you that you consider what we have said to you, and that you take the time
that shall be necessary to understand and deliberate upon it, and that
you acknowledge the Church as the Ruler and Superior of the whole world,
and the high priest called Pope, and in his name the King and Queen Doña
Juana our lords, in his place, as superiors and lords and kings of these
islands and this Tierra-firme by virtue of the said donation, and that
you consent and give place that these religious fathers should declare
and preach to you the aforesaid.

  If you do so, you will do well, and that which you are obliged
to do to their Highnesses, and we in their name shall receive you in all
love and charity, and shall leave you, your wives, and your children, and
your lands, free without servitude, that you may do with them and with
yourselves freely that which you like and think best, and they shall not
compel you to turn Christians, unless you yourselves, when informed of
the truth, should wish to be converted to our Holy Catholic Faith, as almost
all the inhabitants of the rest of the islands have done. And, besides
this, their Highnesses award you many privileges and exemptions and will
grant you many benefits.