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In the name of King Ferdinand and Juana, his daughter, Queen of Castile
and Leon, etc., conquerors of barbarian nations, we notify you as best we
can that our Lord God Eternal created Heaven and earth and a man and
woman from whom we all descend for all times and all over the world. In
the 5,000 years since creation the multitude of these generations caused
men to divide and establish kingdoms in various parts of the world, among
whom God chose St. Peter as leader of mankind, regardless of their law,
sect or belief. He seated St. Peter in Rome as the best place from which
to rule the world but he allowed him to establish his seat in all parts
of the world and rule all people, whether Christians, Moors, Jews,
Gentiles or any other sect. He was named Pope, which means admirable and
greatest father, governor of all men. Those who lived at that time obeyed
St. Peter as Lord and superior King of the universe, and so did their
descendants obey his successors and so on to the end of time.
The late Pope gave these islands and mainland of the ocean and the
contents hereof to the above-mentioned King and Queen, as is certified
in writing and you may see the documents if you should so desire.
Therefore, Their Highnesses are lords and masters of this land; they were
acknowledged as such when this notice was posted, and were and are being
served willingly and without resistance; then, their religious envoys
were acknowledged and obeyed without delay, and all subjects
unconditionally and of their own free will became Christians and thus
they remain. Their Highnesses received their allegiance with joy and
benignity and decreed that they be treated in this spirit like good and
loyal vassals and you are under the obligation to do the same.
Therefore, we request that you understand this text, deliberate on its
contents within a reasonable time, and recognize the Church and its
highest priest, the Pope, as rulers of the universe, and in their name
the King and Queen of Spain as rulers of this land, allowing the
religious fathers to preach our holy Faith to you. You own compliance as
a duty to the King and we in his name will receive you with love and
charity, respecting your freedom and that of your wives and sons and your
rights of possession and we shall not compel you to baptism unless you,
informed of the Truth, wish to convert to our holy Catholic Faith as
almost all your neighbors have done in other islands, in exchange for
which Their Highnesses bestow many privileges and exemptions upon you.
Should you fail to comply, or delay maliciously in so doing, we assure
you that with the help of God we shall use force against you, declaring
war upon you from all sides and with all possible means, and we shall
bind you to the yoke of the Church and of Their Highnesses; we shall
enslave your persons, wives and sons, sell you or dispose of you as the
King sees fit; we shall seize your possessions and harm you as much as we
can as disobedient and resisting vassals. And we declare you guilty of
resulting deaths and injuries, exempting Their Highnesses of such guilt
as well as ourselves and the gentlemen who accompany us. We hereby
request that legal signatures be affixed to this text and pray those
present to bear witness for us, etc.
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