Richard Henry Major

“ Whence it follows, that the principal compact and agreement into which these kingdoms have entered with the Church in undertaking to preach the gospel, is directed toward the preaching to the aforesaid southern hemisphere.
Some one, however, may say in opposition to the above argument that the commission which the Redeemer gave to the Apostles to preach the gospel should be understood as being general and therefore applying to both hemispheres, in accordance with what He said to them before He ascended into heaven: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." ”

“ The expression that the earth never shall move at any time, implies that it is naturally impossible that its centre of gravity should be moved from the centre of the entire elementary and celestial system, for that would be that gravitation should ascend or move upwards. Hence the statements of the Psalmist in no way opposes what has been demonstrated that there is as much surface of land uncovered and free from water in the southern hemisphere as there is in the northern. ”

“ Some one will say, that what has been stated is contradictory to what the Apostle understands as meant by the Psalmist with reference to the preaching of the gospel, where he says, "Their sound is gone out in every land, and their words unto the ends of the world." For the Apostle, speaking of the conversion of the gentiles, says thus: "How shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him in whom they have not heard? or how shall they hear without a preacher? ”

“ Now, if we except this southern hemisphere all that there is of Africa lying between the equinoctial line and the Cape of Good Hope, and all that there is of Peru from the parallel of the said equinoctial line, which passes near Quito, down to the straits of Magellan, and that small portion of land which lies to the south of the strait, all the rest of the firm land of the said southern hemisphere remains to be discovered. Thus of the whole globe, there is little less than one entire half which remains to be discovered, and to have the gospel preached in it ”

“ Subsequently, in the year '95, the said adelantado sailed for the last time from Peru, taking with him for his chief pilot the Pedro Fernandez de Quiros, with the purpose of colonizing the island of San Christobal, and from thence attempting the discovery of the southern terra firma. He shortly after discovered to the east of the said island of San Christobel the island of Santa Cruz in 10° south latitude. The island was more than 100 leagues in circuit, very fertile and populous, as, indeed, appeared all those islands which we have mentioned, and most of them of very beautiful aspect. ”

“ But in other islands which they discovered in the same southern half of the torrid zone, when the sun stood in southern signs for January, February and March, being vertical or very near the vertex or zenith of those islands, there was not felt greater heat there than in our summer, no, indeed, did there appear to have been so much on those occasions when they went on shore for the purpose of taking in water. ”

“ For the English and Dutch heretics, whom the devil unites for this purpose by every means in his power, most diligently continue the exploration, discovery, and colonization of the principal ports of this large part of the world in the Pacific Ocean, and sow in it the most pernicious poisons of their apostasy which they put forth with the most pressing anxiety in advance of us, who should put forth the sovereign light of the gospel. ”

“ And thus in those zones which are generally cold, there are some parts that are milder and very free from the severity of the cold. And if particular consideration be given to the influences produced on temperature by the constellations belonging to the southern hemisphere it will be found that there are lands in it, not only habitable, but much more so than in the other hemisphere ”

“ New Guinea belongs also to the southern hemisphere, and was discovered some time before; and almost all of it has been since discovered on the outside [the northern side] . It is a country encompassed with water,* and according to the greater number of those who have seen it, is seven hundred leagues in circuit: others make it much more: we do not give a close calculation here, because what has been said is sufficient for the intention of this discourse. ”

“ From all which it follows how infallibly certain is the greatness, populousness, fertility and riches of the southern continent and how readily, according to what has been above demonstrated, it may be discovered and subjected to an evangelical and spiritual conquest, by which may be attracted to our Mother, the Catholic Church, millions upon millions of most faithful and sincere sons as the result of this mighty evangelical conquest. ”

“ Also, if we recur to the celestial influences which, in regard to temperature, affect the earth and water with dryness and cold heat and moisture, cold and moisture and heat and dryness, and cause some parts of the earth to be uncovered by water and to be kept dry ”

“ Many specious rivers were also seen to discharge themselves along the coast which the pilot Juan Fernandez discovered, from which and from the signs of the natives, and from the people being so white, so well clad, and in all other respects so different from those of Chili and Peru, it was taken for certain that it was the coast of the southern continent, and seemed to be far better and richer than that of Peru. ”

“ Your Majesty ought to give much consideration to the fact that Christ our Redeemer and supreme good, when He finished the period of His first coming, recommended to His Apostles with the greatest strictness the preaching of His gospel, as the principal means by which the redemption of the human race, which had cost him so much was to receive its consummation. ”

“ May Your Majesty give no heed to the plausible arguments which some may perhaps advance with some show of political consideration that Your Majesty is not in a condition to undertake the conquest of new kingdoms of such great extent and so far off, but will have enough to do to keep those which you already have. ”

“ But, as has been said, our translator has with much propriety and in accordance with the intention of the prophet, given Bosphorus as the rendering for the word Sepharat; for although the transmigration of Jerusalem which was in Spain was to possess the cities of the south, its conquerors had to go forth principally from that part of Spain which is nearest to the Bosphorus, or of Gibraltar, as is seen to be the case. ”

“ This suggstion is, however, entirely arbitrary, and even in contradiction to the context, which states the supposed circuit of the island. Even in maps anterior to the voyage of Torres, as, for example, Hondius's Mappemonde, showing Drake's track round the world, published in the Hakluyt Society's edition of Drake's World Encompassed, New Guinea is laid down as an island, although it is true that in much later maps the point is spoken of as doubtful. ”

“ There will also not be wanting men learned in the scriptures, who will prove from them that Your Majesty may disregard the fulfilment of an obligation so distinct and may withdraw from the contract you have made with the Redeemer, through the medium of His vicar and the head of His Church. ”

“ But (being overjoyed to have discovered the coast of that great and so much desired continent) he returned to Chili, intending to go back properly fitted, and to keep it a secret till they and their friends could return on the discovery. It was delayed from day to day till Juan Fernandez died, when with his death, this important matter fell to the ground. ”