6 TRAVELS through 



the ifland •, it is the feat of a bifhop, whom the 

 King of Spain appoints. 



This ifland is celebrated by the origin of the 

 mal de Naples^ or venereal difeafe. Authors dif- 

 agree fo rnuch on t!iis fubjed, and have told 

 the flory in fo many different ways, that I think 

 I fhall not do amifs to reprefent it in its true 

 light. 



Nicolas de Ohando was governor of this iHe, to- 

 wards the end of the fifteenth century, during 

 the reign of King Ferdinand of Arragon and Ifa- 

 lella of Caftile : he had llrid orders to work at 

 the converfion of the fubdued Indians ; he diftri- 

 buted them among the Spaniards, giving a hun- 

 dred of them to one man, fifty to another; and 

 calling this proceeding a repartimiento^ (a divi- 

 fion). I believe you will agree with me. Sir, 

 that this is a very fingular method of making 

 converts in America ; fuch maxims are quite 

 contrary to the true fpirit of the Chriftian reli- 



gion •*\ 



Thefe 



* " The King Don Ferdinand, being informed of thcfe 

 ** diforders, had turned all his attention towards remedying 

 ** them ; and his care chiefly regarded the Indians, whorn 

 ** he wifhed to protect and convert, as it has always been the 

 ** i^axim of the Catholic kings. He gave feveral orders, 



5^ an<i 



