THE DEMARCATION LINE OF POPE
ALEXANDER VI.[1]
The history of the Line of Demarcation established by Pope Alexander VI., separating the Spanish and Portuguese fields of discovery and colonization, has received comparatively little attention from English writers.[2] So far as I have been able to learn, no satisfactory or reasonably complete single account of the subject from beginning to end exists in the language. In view of the approaching period of Columbian anniversaries and the reawakened interest in all things pertaining to the discovery of the New World, a brief history of this curious yet momentous transaction will be appropriate.
Columbus, upon his return from his first voyage, landed near Palos, March 15, 1493. He promptly despatched a letter to Ferdinand and Isabella giving an account of his discoveries.[3] They replied March 30, and by the middle of
- ↑ Read before the American Historical Association in Washington, in December, 1891.
- ↑ Since the first publication of this paper in the Yale Review, May, 1892, two learned discussions of this subject have been published in English. Henry Harrisse's The Diplomatic History of America. Its first chapter, 1452–1494. B. F. Stevens, London, 1897, and Dr. S. E. Dawson's The Lines of Demarcation of Pope Alexander VI. and the Treaty of Tordesillas, A. D. 1493 and 1494. Trans. of the Royal Soc. of Canada, V, 1899–1900. The Copp-Clark Co., Toronto. In preparing my essay for republication I have in general made only such changes as seemed necessary. I am indebted to both Mr. Harrisse and Mr. Dawson for some suggestions and corrections.
- ↑ Mr. Harrisse believes that Columbus sent on an account of his voyage earlier while in Portugal. Diplomatic History, 12. Gomara states that a messenger was immediately despatched to Rome with an account of the discoveries. Hist. General de las Indias, I, leaves 29 and 30. Antwerp Ed. of 1554.
