tory on condition that they should release their slaves. Of what use to them, they replied, is an entire province, if there are none to build the towns, to till the ground, or work the mines? And of what benefit to his Majesty the discovery and conquest of a hemisphere without labor to develop its resources?
Las Casas was ever the great advocate of a radical change in the Indian policy, and on his return to Spain in 1539 he laid before the emperor and council the result of his life-long labors on behalf of the natives, and urged the adoption of measures for their relief. No matter of graver import had for years engaged the attention of the court, and so impressive were the apostle's words that when about to set forth again for Guatemala, in 1541, he was ordered to remain at court[1] until the new measures should be fully discussed and determined. And his efforts were supported by the eloquent and passionate arguments of his friend, Cardinal Loaisa, then at the head of Indian affairs.[2]
A royal junta composed of eminent jurists and ecclesiastics was held during the same year, for the purpose of framing ordinances for the better government of the Indies. Hoping at last to see his life-labor crowned with success, Las Casas pleaded his favorite cause with all the fire of younger days. A remarkable circumstance indeed, that in those dark ages when the inquisition, founded by the Dominicans, was the bane of christendom, a leading genius of that order should with such pertinacity and heroism defend the natural rights and liberties of millions of human beings, and those idolatrous heathen.
Las Casas advocated the immediate and uncon-
- ↑ By Cardinal Loaisa, president of the council of the Indies, 'por ser necesarias sus luces y su asistencia en el despacho de ciertos negocios graves que pendian entonces en el consejo.' 'Las Casas,' in Quintana, Vidas, 179-80.
- ↑ During the interval Las Casas had perfected, and in 1542 he presented to the court his well known work Breuissima relacion de la destruycion de las Indias.' This book was not printed till 1552, at Seville. Before the end of the century it was translated into and printed in several of the languages of Europe.
