Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/517

491 SPANISH COLONIAL POLICY. 491 tion of the department for Indian affairs, the earliest chapter IX. vestiges of which have been ah'eadj noticed in a preceding chapter. ® By an ordinance dated at Alcala, January 20th, 1503, it was provided that a board should be established, consisting of three functionaries, with the titles of treasurer, factor, and comptroller. Their permanent residence was as- signed in the old alcazar of Seville, where they were to meet every day for the despatch of busi- ness. The board was expected to make itself thoroughly acquainted with whatever concerned the colonies, and to afford the government all informa- tion, that could be obtained, affecting their interests and commercial prosperity. It was empowered to grant licenses under the regular conditions, to pro- vide for the equipment of fleets, to determine their destination, and furnish them instructions, on sail- ing. All merchandise for exportation was to be deposited in the alcazar, where the return cargoes were to be received, and contracts made for their sale. Similar authority was given to it over the trade with the Barbary coast and the Canary Isl- ands. Its supervision was to extend in like man- ner over all vessels which might take their depart- ure from the port of Cadiz, as well as from Seville. With these powers were combined others of a purely judicial character, authorizing them to take cognizance of questions arising out of particular voyages, and of the colonial trade in general. In this latter capacity they were to be assisted by the 8 Part I. Chap. 18, of this History.