Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/153

129 HIS APPLICATION AT THE COURT. 129 diclateSj for the selection of one bj the crown, for chapter the government of each of these territories. He ' ^ was to be vested with exclusive right of jurisdiction over all commercial transactions within his admi- ralty. He was to be entitled to one tenth of all the products and profits within the limits of his discoveries, and an additional eighth, provided he should contribute one eighth part of the expense. By a subsequent ordinance, the official dignities above enumerated were settled on him and his heirs for ever, with the privilege of prefixing the title of Don to their names, which had not then degenerated into an appellation of mere courtesy. ^^ No sooner were the arrangements completed. He sa.is d than Isabella prepared with her characteristic voyage.' promptness to forward the expedition by the most efficient measures. Orders were sent to Seville and the other ports of Andalusia, to furnish stores and other articles requisite for the voyage, free of duty, and at as low rates as possible. The fleet, con- sisting of three vessels, was to sail from the little port of Palos in Andalusia, which had been con- demned for some delinquency to maintain two cara- vels for a twelvemonth for the public service. The third vessel was furnished by the admiral, aided, as it would seem, in defraying the charges, by his friend the guardian of La Rabida, and the Pinzons, a family in Palos long distinguished for its enter- prise among the mariners of that active community. 24 Navarrete, Coleccion de Via- p. 412. — Mariana, Hist, de Es- ges, torn, ii., Col. Diplomat., nos. pafia, torn. ii. p. 605. b, 6. — Zufiiga, Annales de Sevilla, VOL. II. 17