d general powers of administration, and we promise and affirm
by our kingly faith and word, we, our heirs and successors, to keep,
observe, and fulfil everything, concerning all the aforesaid enacted,
covenanted, sworn, and promised by you, in whatever form and manner;
and we promise faithfully to maintain the same to the uttermost,
now and forever, and neither ourselves nor our heirs and successors
shall violate this compact, or any part of it, by any act of our own,
or our agents, either directly or indirectly, under any pretense or
cause, in judgment or out of it, under the express obligation of all
our possessions, patrimonial and fiscal, and all other possessions
whatsoever of our vassals, subjects, and natives, real and personal,
acquired or to be acquired. In affirmation of the above we have caused
this our letter of authorization to be given, and we sign the same
with our names and order it sealed with our seal.... [Signatures of
the King, Queen, and Royal Secretary.]

[The letter of authorization granted by the King of Portugal
follows. It is couched in much the same terms as the preceding. It
opens as follows:]

Don Juan, by the grace of God, King of Portugal and the Algarbes,
on either side of the sea in Africa, and Seignior of Guinea: To all
who shall see this our letter of authority and powers of attorney, we
proclaim: that inasmuch as certain islands were discovered and found
by command of the most exalted, excellent, and powerful Princes, King
Don Fernando and Queen Dona Ysabel [certain of their dignities follow]
our very dear and beloved brother and sister, and other islands and
mainlands may in future be discovered and found, regarding certain
of which, known already or to be known, there might arise disputes
and controversy between ourselves and our kingdoms and seigniories,
and the subjects and natives of the same, because of our rights
therein--which may our Lord forbid,--it is our desire, because of
the great love and friendship between us, and in order to seek,
procure, and maintain greater peace, and more enduring concord and
tranquillity, that the sea, in which the said islands were and shall
be found, be divided and allotted between us in some good, sure, and
circumscribed manner; and inasmuch as at present we cannot attend to
this in person, and confiding in you, Ruy de Sosa, Seignior of Usagres
[156] and Berenguel, and Don Juan de Sosa, our intendant-in-chief,
and Arias de Almadana, magistra