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with the rewards conscientiously given by him to a meritorious subject.
In this way, he added, they were defeating, by their
passions, the grateful intentions of their sovereign. The governor was overawed by the honest warmth of the bishop, and professed to accord with him in opinion. The council lasted until midnight ; and it was finally agreed that the titles and dignities should be conferred on Vasco Nunez on the following day.* Pedrarias and his officers reflected, however, that if the juris足 diction implied by these titles were absolutely vested in Vasco Nunez, the government of Darien and Castilla del Oro would virtually be reduced to a trifling matter ; they resolved, therefore, to adopt a middle course ; to grant him the empty titles, but to make him give security not to enter upon the actual government of the territories in question, until Pedrarias should give him permission.
The bishop and Vasco Nunez assented to this
arrangement ; satisfied, for the present, with securing the titles, and trusting to the course of events to get dominion over the territories.t The new honors of Vasco Nunez were now promulgated to the world, and he was every where addressed by the title of Adelantado.
His old friends lifted up their heads with exultation,
and new adherents flocked to his standard.
Parties began to
form for him and for Pedrarias ; for it was deemed impossible they could continue long in harmony. The jealousy of the governor was excited by these circum足 stances ; and he regarded the newly-created Adelantado as a * Oviedo, part ii. cap. 9, M S .
Oviedo, the historian, was present at this
consultation, and says that he wrote down the opinions given on the occasion, which the parties signed with their proper hands. t Idem.