under their ancient laws,[1] and even exported to the islands to perish miserably under hardships and climatic ravages. Motolinia alludes to the inhuman treatment of slaves in the mines, and the consequent mortality, as the sixth plague of Mexico, and he joins in the representations made to the king against the abuse of Indians, particularly the removal from their native districts. To present this the more forcibly it was pointed out that by depriving the chiefs of too many slaves they would be made unable to pay the required tribute.
The main representations came from the council of friars and officials held at Mexico in September 1526, in accordance with the instructions brought by Ponce de Leon, and among the remedies proposed were the appointment of inspectors to watch over the strict observance of the laws protecting Indians, and the grant of encomiendas im perpetuity to meritorious men, who should be held responsible for the good treatment of their vassals. By thus assuring the possession of the grant, the holder would feel an interest to preserve the health and lives of those belonging to him.[2] For this reason also the tenure of towns and lands by the crown was not advisable, since the population either neglected to produce tributable effects, or were despoiled and oppressed by different
- ↑ See Native Races, ii. 217-22, etc., on condition, classes, and treatment. Also Las Casas, El Indio Esclavo, 25. Yet Cortés writes that the most effective menace toward an Indian was to intimate that he should be restored. to previous servitude under native masters. 'Y esto temen mas que otra ninguna amenaza ni castigo.' 'Esclavos cognosci yo en casa de deudos mios herrados en la cara con letras que decian el nombre de quien los habia vendido." Duran, Hist. Ind., MS., ii. 520-1. Motolinia speaks of the brand called 'rescate de S. M.,' which came with the royal officials in 1524, it seems. Carta, in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., i. 274. The abuse was fostered partly by the royal permission given in early years to enslave rebels, and to buy those already enslaved, as Albornoz points out. Carta, in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xiii. 55-6; Puga, Cedulario, 16.
- ↑ It was urged that Indians should not be taken beyond a distance of three to four leagues from their homes; enslaving should be limited; agriculturists might be introduced and given a number of natives to train in their branch. Letters and Memorials, in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., ii. 155-7, 202-3; 543-51; Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., xii. 124-5, 284-5; xii. 56-8, 65-7; Motolinia, Hist. Ind., 18.
