appearance to
embrace the Catholic faith and be trained in good morals. Nor is hope
lacking that, were they instructed, the name of the Savior, our Lord
Jesus Christ, would easily be introduced into the said countries and
islands. Besides on one of these aforesaid chief islands the said
Christopher has already had put together and built a well-equipped
fortress, wherein he has stationed as garrison certain Christians,
companions of his, who are to make search for other far-away and
unknown islands and mainlands. In certain islands and countries already
discovered are found gold, spices, and very many other precious things
of divers kinds and species. Wherefore, as becoming to Catholic kings
and princes, after earnest consideration of all matters, especially
of the rise and spread of the Catholic faith, as was the fashion of
your ancestors, kings of renowned memory, you have purposed with the
favor of divine clemency to bring under your sway the said mainlands
and islands with their inhabitants and the dwellers therein, and bring
them to the Catholic faith. Hence in heartiest commendation in the Lord
of this your saintly and praiseworthy purpose, desirous too that it be
duly accomplished in the carrying to those regions of the name of our
Savior, we exhort you very earnestly in the Lord and insist strictly
both through your reception of holy baptism, whereby you are bound
to our apostolic commands, and in the bowels of the mercy of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that, inasmuch as with upright spirit and through zeal
for the true faith you design to equip and despatch this expedition,
you purpose also as is your duty to lead the peoples dwelling in
those islands and countries to embrace the Christian religion; nor
at any time let dangers nor hardships deter you therefrom, with the
stout hope and trust in your hearts that Almighty God will further
your undertakings. Moreover, moved thereunto by our own accord, not
at your instance nor the request of any one else in your regard, but
wholly of our own largess and certain knowledge as well as fulness
of our apostolic power, by the authority of Almighty God conferred
upon us in blessed Peter and of the vicarship of Jesus Christ,
which we hold on earth, in order that with greater readiness and
heartiness you enter upon an undertaking of so lofty a character as
has been entrusted to you by the graciousness of our apostolic favor,
by tenor of these presents should any of said islands have