228 W. E. Curtis — Prc-Coluinhian, Vatican Documents. 



12. 



997. Pope Julius II commends Bartholomew, the brother, and 

 Diego, the son, of Columbus to the favor of King Ferdinand, 

 dated April 10, 1507. 



(Translation.) 



Our most dear son in Christ, health, etc : 



Our beloved son, Bartholomew Colum (sic), the brother of 

 Christopher, who of late years discovered those islands of India 

 which were unknown to our forefathers, being on his way to see 

 your majesty, tarried with us in order to show his devotion to 

 our person. We kindly received him and heard him because of 

 his long sojourn in those islands. We were, moreover, pleased 

 to give him our recommendation, inasmuch as Christian govern- 

 ments appear to have greatly profited by the discovery of the 

 said islands. Wherefore we beseech your majesty, whQse aim 

 and desire has ever been the good of the Catholic faith, to con- 

 sider Bartholomew himself, and his nephew, the admiral of the 

 said islands, as most highly recommended, though we are of the 

 opinion that you Avill.do this of your own accord. 



Given at Rome, April 10, 1507, in the fourth year of our pon- 

 tificate. 



1 ^ 



998. Bull of Pope Leo X, August 28, 1513, appointing John 

 of Quevedos of Santa Maria del Antiqua (Darien), the first bishop 

 on the American continent; also letters to the people of that 

 diocese and to Queen Johanna of Spain. 



(Translatio]i.) 



Leo X to our beloved son John of Quevedos, elect of S. Maria 



del Antiqua, health, etc : 



The debt of our pastoral office requires that amidst the divers 

 cares by which we are constantly harassed this above all should 

 occupy our attention ; that over all churches, and especially 

 those which, like young plants budding forth in the garden of 

 the Lord, are most exposed to the misfortunes of vacancy, b}^ 

 our diligence those pastors be appointed, through whose fruitful 

 care the same churches may with the Lord's help be able to 

 receive a happy increase in spiritual and temporal affairs. A 

 ghort time ago we reserved to our appointment and disposal 



