Page:The Philippine Islands, 1493-1803 (Volume 03).djvu/129

1569-1576] it is clear that the said line was not drawn; for according to the copy of the decree and declaration of the Catholic Sovereigns given in Madrid on May the seventh, 1495, and signed by the secretary Samano, it is urged that the said line be drawn—from which it is evident that the line had not been drawn within the ten months. That this line had not been drawn appears also from the conferences and records concerning the possession and ownership of the Malucos, between the commissioners of both parties in the year twenty-four at the bridge of Acaya, Yelves, and Badajoz, where the determination of this line and demarcation was discussed; and the determination thereof, discussed under three heads.

First, whether a spherical or plain surface should be considered in drawing the line of demarcation.

Second, how should the islands of Cabo Verde be properly situated and located.

Third, from which of the said islands should they begin to measure the three hundred and seventy leagues for the demarcation.

The Castilians agreed with the Portuguese to employ the spherical surface and still not to exclude the plane surface and other measurements. The second point appears not to have been discussed. As to the third, the Castilians disagreed with the Portuguese, saying that the three hundred and seventy leagues were to begin from the island of Santo Anton, the most western of the islands of Cabo Verde. The Portuguese claim that they ought to begin the islands of La Sal and Buena Vista, the most eastern of the group. It seems (the original having destroyed) that each party was striving to have the islands of Maluco fall on his side of the