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De Orbe Novo, The Eight Decades of Peter Martyr d'Anghera Vol. 1 (of 2)

by Francis Augustus MacNutt

by Francis Augustus MacNutt

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Introduction 29<br />

cumque pecunias esse presentiunt, tamquam odori canes<br />

insequunt; detegunt, effundiunt, per mendacia, perjuria,<br />

dolos insidias per litas, si catera non seppetunt, extorquere<br />

illas laborant: aliena miseria, dolor e, gemitu, mestitia<br />

gaudent. With every word <strong>of</strong> this diatribe, the representative<br />

<strong>of</strong> the Prophet was in perfect agreement. United<br />

than which no union<br />

in the bonds <strong>of</strong> a common hatred,<br />

is closer, a treaty between the two powers was easily concluded.<br />

<strong>The</strong> miHtary chiefs were converted to the advantages<br />

<strong>of</strong> friendly relations with Spain, and means were<br />

devised to calm the popular excitement.<br />

Assisted by some monks <strong>of</strong> the Mount Sion commimity,<br />

the successful ambassador drafted the concessions he solicited,<br />

all <strong>of</strong> which were graciously accorded by the mollified<br />

Egj^ptians.<br />

Christians were henceforth to be permitted<br />

to rebuild and repair the ruined sanctuaries throughout<br />

the Holy Land ; the tribute levied on pilgrims was Hghtened<br />

and guaranties for their personal safety were given.<br />

It is noteworthy that only religious interests received<br />

attention, no mention being made <strong>of</strong> commercial privileges.<br />

More noteworthy still, is the absence <strong>of</strong> anything<br />

tangible given by the adroit envoy in exchange for what<br />

he got. <strong>The</strong> Sultan was reassured as to the status <strong>of</strong> such<br />

Moors as might remain under Spanish rule, and was encouraged<br />

to count upon unspecified future advantages<br />

from the friendship <strong>of</strong> King Ferdinand. A truly singular<br />

result <strong>of</strong> negotiations begun under such unfavourable auspices,<br />

though the value <strong>of</strong> concessions, to the observance<br />

<strong>of</strong> which nothing constrained the Sultan, seems problematical,<br />

and was certainly less than the ambassador, in his<br />

naive vanity, hastened to assume and proclaim.<br />

While the text <strong>of</strong> the treaty was being prepared, <strong>Peter</strong><br />

<strong>Martyr</strong> occupied himself in collecting information concerning<br />

the mysterious land where he found himself. Egypt<br />

was all but unknown to his contemporaries, whose most<br />

recent information concerning the country was derived

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