LIFE A N D V O Y A G E S
278
OF
[BOOK V .
C H A P T E R VIII.
PAPAL BULL
OF PARTITION.—PREPARATIONS
FOR A SECOND
VOYAGE OF COLUMBUS. [1493.]
IN the midst of their rejoicings, the Spanish sovereigns lost no time in taking every measure necessary to secure their new acqui sitions.
Although it was supposed that the countries just disco
vered were part of the territories of the Grand Khan, and of other oriental princes, considerably advanced in civilization, yet there does not appear to have been the least doubt of the right of their catholic majesties to take possession of them.
During
the crusades, a doctrine had been established among Christian princes extremely favorable to their ambitious designs.
Accord
ing to this, they had the right to invade, ravage, and seize upon the territories of all infidel nations, under the plea of defeating the enemies of Christ, and extending the sway of his church on earth.
In conformity to the same doctrine, the pope, from
his supreme authority over all temporal things, was considered as empowered to dispose of all heathen lands to such potentates as would engage to reduce them to the dominion of the church, and to propagate the true faith among their benighted inhabitants.
It
was in virtue of this power, that Pope Martin V and his succes sors had conceded to the crown of Portugal all the lands it might