CHAP. V I I I ]
CHRISTOPHER
COLUMBUS.
279
discover from Cape Bojador to the Indies; and the catholic sove reigns, in a treaty concluded in 1479 with the Portuguese monarch, had engaged themselves to respect the territorial rights thus ac quired.
It was to this treaty that John I I alluded, in his conver
sation with Columbus, wherein he suggested his title to the newly-discovered countries. On the first intelligence received from the admiral of his success, therefore, the Spanish sovereigns took the immediate precaution to secure the sanction of the pope.
Alexander V I
had recently been elevated to the holy chair; a pontiff whom some historians have stigmatized with every vice and crime that could disgrace humanity, but whom all have represented as emi nently able and politic.
He was a native of Valencia, and being
born a subject of the crown of Arragon, it might be inferred, was favorably disposed to Ferdinand; but in certain questions which had come before him, he had already shown a disposition not the most cordial towards the catholic monarch.
At all events, Ferdi
nand was well aware of his worldly and perfidious character, and endeavored to manage him accordingly.
He dispatched ambas
sadors, therefore, to the court of Rome, announcing the new discovery as an extraordinary triumph of the faith; and setting forth the great glory and gain which must redound to the church from the dissemination of Christianity throughout these vast and heathen lands.
Care was also taken to state, that the present
discovery did not in the least interfere with the possessions ceded by the holy chair to Portugal, all which had been sedulously avoided.
Ferdinand, who was at least as politic as he was pious,
insinuated a hint at the same time, by which the pope might perceive that he was determined, at all events, to maintain his important acquisitions. His ambassadors were instructed to state