Resume of Contemporaneous Documents—­1518-27

[Prefatory Note:  The scope of the present series does not demand the publication in extenso of many documents on this subject.  Those who wish to study it in detail will find abundant material in volume iv of the Coleccion de viages published by Navarrete (Madrid, 1829); we present only a brief resume of these documents, inserted here to preserve the continuity of our narrative, and to indicate to students the extent and scope of such material. [201]

Navarrete precedes these documents by a brief and somewhat imperfect summary of early discoveries; a biographical sketch of Magalhaes, with proofs, citations, etc., by way of authentication thereof—­these citations being drawn from the authors Fray Antonio de San Roman, Herrera, Gomara, Munoz, Quintana, Barros, Maximilianus Transylvanus, Argensola, and others; a letter by Ruy Falero; extract from Magalhaes’s will; [202] a memorandum addressed by him to the emperor; [203] and a compilation from early authors and from the documents that follow, giving full citations of authorities.  The documents here mentioned are given by Navarrete in the appendix to volume iv, at pp. 110-406; some of them have been already presented in connection with the Line of Demarcation.]

Valladolid, February 23, 1518.  Rui Faller (Ruy Falero) and Fernando Magallanes, [204] both Portuguese, bind themselves to deliver to the factor of the India House of Trade at Seville the eighth part of everything they may find in their discoveries in the spice regions.  This is promised in the following words:  “Know all ye who shall see this public testament that we, Rui Faller, citizen of Cunilla, in the kingdom of Portugal, and Fernando de Magallanes, citizen of the city of Puerto [Oporto], in the same kingdom, consent, make manifest, and declare that, inasmuch as it has been agreed between us, as parties of the first part, and you, Juan de Aranda, Factor for the King, our Lord, and citizen of the city of Burgos, in the House of Trade of the Indies of the city of Sevilla, as party of the second part, that of all gain and income pertaining to us from the discovery of lands and islands (which if God wills we are to discover and find in the lands, limits, and demarcations of our Master the King, Don Carlos) you shall have the eighth part.  And we shall give this to you from all the income and gain accruing to us therefrom, whether in money, allotment, or rent, or by virtue of our office, or in anything else whatever, of whatever quantity and quality, without any shortage, and without deducting or excepting anything whatever of our possessions.”  They promise this in extended terms and under oath.  The factor approves the document and promises to abide by all its provisions. (No. i, pp. 111-113.)

March, 1518.  The same two men in an unsigned document petition the king on various matters connected with the proposed expedition.  To each section is appended the monarch’s objections, approbations, or other remarks.