Sounds interesting although I have a few questions. hope you don't mind. 
*How much of "the new world" would have been discovered by the start of the rp? I'm guessing good old Columbus already discovered "India"(the Americas) but how about Africa and Asia?
*Will the rp's colonies be in historic locations such as cuba and the east coast of America or do we have freedom to choose where we start?
*Are the Europeans powers really the only ones who could send their envoys to the new world or can other powers of the time join in too? I know that the muslim states such as the turks would have no interest in sailing for the new world but I guess it would be fun to see them build up in the Americas.
That's all and good luck with the rp.