Welser Grant for Venezuela

Timeline

1. 1527–1528Madrid · SpainThe Welsers and Fuggers had provided massive loans for Charles V's bid for the imperial throne. Heinrich Ehinger and Hieronymus Sailer represented the Augsburg firm in negotiations in Castile, first concluding a Madrid contract on February 12, 1528, covering associated trade and a license for slaves, paving the way for the subsequent colonial asiento.
2. 1528Madrid · SpainCharles V granted the Welser family the Province of Venezuela from La Vela de Guajira to the Unare River: to conquer at their own expense, to recruit only Spanish and Flemish soldiers, to build two cities and three forts within two years, and to import German miners. The Crown retained sovereignty over the Americas; the firm traded its debts for governance and gold-exploration rights.
3. 1528–1529Santa Ana de Coro · FalcónThe Welsers appointed Ambrosius Ehinger as the first governor and captain-general of Venezuela. He arrived in Coro (also called New Augsburg) in early 1529, and the grant turned from paper into actual possession, launching the Little Venice colonial system. Thereafter the enterprise focused on searching for El Dorado, and was reclaimed by the Crown around 1546.