CHAPTER XXV.
THE NEW LAWS.
1543-1546.
Causes for Enactment of New Laws — Success of Las Casas — Provisions of the New Code — They Cause Excitement among the Colonists — Effort to Introduce Them in New Spain — Visitador Francisco Tello de Sandoval — He Publishes the New Laws in Mexico — Indignation of the Encomenderos — They Send Procuradors to Spain — Who Obtain the Revocation of a Portion of the New Laws — The Emperor's Views on the Subject — Ravages of Pestilence — Eruptions of Volcanoes — Reduction of Tribute — Small Coins — Interestedness of the Clergy — Land Grants — Ambiguous Attitude of Mendoza — Convention of Bishops — Arrival of Las Casas — Mendoza Prohibits Discussion on Indian Affairs — Decision of Ecclesiastics Declaring Slavery Unlawful — Return of the Visitador to Spain.
While Mendoza and Oñate were engaged in the wars of New Galicia, matters of equal import concerning Indian affairs were undergoing animated discussion in Spain. A new code of laws was to be framed, designed to check the gross abuses which openly and in secret were committed in the New World, A long controversy between the most brilliant legal and ecclesiastical lights resulted in the passage of those celebrated ordinances of 1542 and 1543, known in the early history of America as the New Laws. The spirit pervading them was indeed most favorable to the aborigines; but as they were in antagonism with old abuses which had in time assumed the character of rights and privileges inconsiderately conceded from the beginning, they were destined to meet the fate, in a greater or less degree, of all other measures hereto-
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