Chap. VI 11. 15ENKF1CENCE OF SrANlSlI LEGISLATION. 117 



CHAPTER VIII. 



THE PEEUVIAN INDIANS : 



Their cundition imckr Spanish culonial rule. 



In reviewing the dei)lorable results of Spanish domination 

 in South America, it may at once be conceded that the 

 legishition which originated from the councils of the kings 

 of Castile was always, except in matters connected with 

 religion, remarkable for beneficence and liberality in all 

 that concerned the natives ; and that, in the words of Mr. 

 Helps, '• those humane and benevolent laws, which emanated 

 from time to time from the Home Government, rendered the 

 sway of the Spanish monarchs over the conquered nations as 

 remarkable for mildness as any, perhaps, that has ever been 

 recorded in the pages of history." ^ It may also be allowed 

 that the Viceroys of Peru were generally earnest and zealous 

 statesmen, who conscientiously strove to enforce the regula- 

 tions which they from time to time received from the council 

 of the Indies. 



But it was almost as impossible for the viceroys to exercise 

 efficient personal supervision over the government of so 

 enormous a country, while residing at Lima, as it would 

 have been if they had remained at the council-table in Seville ; 

 and their subordinates were, as a body, untrustworthy, 

 extortionate, rapacious, and often remorselessly cruel. Thus 

 the benign laws of the Spanish kings became a dead letter in 



' Mr. IMfrivale, in his Colonization | as tliut respecting the Indians, the loss 

 and Colonies, says, " It nnist be ad- | of lier Western empire would have 

 niitted that, had the legislation of Spain . been an unmerited visitation." 

 in other respeets been as well eoneeived I 



