THE SIXT BOOKE 



Of the Naturall and Morall Historic of the 



Indies. 



CHAP. i. That they erre in their opinion, which holde the 

 Indians to want iudgement. 



HAVING treated before of the religion the Indians vsed, I 

 pretend to discourse in this Booke of their customs, policy, 

 and government, for two considerations : the one is to con 

 fute that false opinion many doe commonly holde of them, 

 that they are a grose and brutish people, or that they have 

 so little vnderstancling, as they scarce deserve the name of 

 auie. So as many excesses and outrages are committed 

 vpon them, vsing them like bruite beasts, and reputing 

 them vnworthy of any respect; which is so common and so 

 dangerous an errour (as they know well who with any zealo 

 and consideration have travelled amongst them, and that 

 have scene and observed their secrets and counsells). And 

 moreover, for the small regard many make of these Indians, 

 who presume to knowe much, and yet are commonly the 

 most ignorant and presumptuous. I h nde no better meanes 

 to confound this pernicious opinion, then in relating their 

 order and maner, whenas they lived vnder their owne lawes, 

 in which, although they had many barbarous things, and 

 without ground, yet had they many others worthy of great 

 admiration, whereby wee may vnderstand, that they were 

 by nature capable to receive any good instructions : and be 

 sides, they did in some things passe many of our common- 



