The King.  Licentiates Acuna, of my Council, Pedro Manuel, auditor of Valladolid, and Licentiate Barrientos, of my council of Las Ordenes, our commissaries in the city of Badajoz, investigating the affair of the Spice Islands:  I saw your letter, and the records and papers you sent me of what occurred there in regard to the possession of the Maluco islands, at which proceedings you were present; also in what shape affairs are at present, and the manner in which you have managed them.  My Council of the Indies has discussed it, and consulted with me regarding it.  What you have done seems good, and as was to be expected from your learning and prudence.  And inasmuch as I have ordered a full reply to be made in regard to the matters upon which you have consulted me, as you will see by the memorandum accompanying this letter, signed by my grand chancellor, I therefore command and charge you to examine it, and in accordance with it direct affairs, so that, so far as we are concerned, it will be evident that nothing remains to be done for the fulfilment of what we agreed upon.  You must accomplish this secretly and in the good manner I expect from you.  You shall give a very secret account of everything to the licentiate de Pisa.

I am writing to our deputies—­the astrologers and pilots—­to place entire confidence in you.  You shall discuss with them in the best and most reserved manner possible what pertains to them in accordance with the section of the said memorandum that treats of the demarcation, and in regard to the advices given by Don Hernando on the true understanding of the treaty.  Burgos, May 7, 1524.  I the King.  By command of his Majesty:  Francisco de los Cobos.

The King.  Our deputies in the city of Badajoz, who are considering the demarcation:  I saw what you wrote me, and am pleased with you.  I hold in mind all you say, which is as I expected from you.  And inasmuch as I am writing fully to the licentiates Acuna, Pedro Manuel, and Barrientos, our commissaries, who will discuss with you in my behalf what you should know of it; therefore I command and charge you that, placing entire faith and credence in them, you shall execute this as I wish, and that you shall in all this business have the watchfulness I expect from you, so that the said demarcation be established justly and truly.  Burgos, May 7, 1524.  I the King.  By command of his Majesty:  Francisco de los Cobos.

The Treaty of Zaragoza

[This treaty was negotiated at Zaragoza (Saragossa) between the representatives of the Spanish and Portuguese monarchs, and signed by them April 22, 1529.  It was ratified the following day by Carlos I at Lerida, and by Joao III, at Lisboa (Lisbon), June 20, 1530.  The usual letters of authorization precede the treaty proper, the Spanish letter being given at Zaragoza, April 15, 1529, and the Portuguese at Lisboa, October 18, 1528.  The Spanish deputies were:  Mercurio de Gatinara, count of Gatinara, and grand chancellor; Fray Garcia de Loaysa, [197] bishop of Osma and confessor of the emperor; and Fray Garcia de Padilla, commander-in-chief of the order of Calatrava, [198] all three members of the emperor’s council.  The Portuguese deputy was the licentiate Antonio de Azevedo coutino, member of the Portuguese council and the King’s ambassador.  The treaty follows:]