The Capitulations of Santa Fe

The Capitulaciones de Santa Fe, documents authorizing and financing Columbus’s voyage, were written by Juan de Coloma, secretary to King Ferdinand of Aragon and signed by Queen Isabella.  Through these, Christopher Columbus was given:

•  The title of admiral in all of the lands or seas he might discover, which would be inheritance and at the same rank as Admiral of Castile.

•  The title of Viceroy (hereditary) and governor general on all of the islands or land that he might discover or conquer in said seas, receiving the right to propose terms for the government of each.

•  Ten percent of the net product of the merchandise bought, won, found or exchanged within the limits of his admiral territory, setting aside a fifth for the crown.

•  Commercial jurisdiction over disputes over trade in his admiralship, as corresponding to the position.

•  The right to contribute an eighth to the expedition and participate in the earning in the same proportion.

•  The title of “Don”.