46 



MEMOIR OF 



powers axid morals, and still more the all momentous 

 subject of religion, they approximate the opposite 

 extreme. In fact, it has been made a subject of 

 discussion whether they had any religion or not; 

 nay more, Avhether they were capable of receiTing 

 religious impressions. This is no new controversy. 

 The first Spaniards Avho passed over to America 

 entertained the idea, that the natives were not of 

 the same race with, themselves, and were destitute 

 of the necessary capacity to comprehend or practice 

 religion. One of the principal partisans of this 

 opinion was Ortiz, Bishop of Saint Martha, who 

 wrote a memoir on the subject to the Supreme 

 Council at Madrid, concluding, from his long expe- 

 rience, that they were stupid beings, and as inca- 

 pable of instruction as the brute beasts. B. Las 

 Casas headed the opposite party, and became their 

 apologist. He too it Avas who obtained a Bull front 

 Pope Paul III. declaring that the Indians were truly 

 men, and capable of partaking of the Sacraments of 

 the Roman Church.* Azara, however, speaks not 

 of what they might be, but of what they Avere — 

 " Ecclesiastics," says he, " tell us they possess a reh- 

 gion ; " and in accordance with this statement every 

 one must have met Avith such reflections as the foUoAv- 

 ing : — " With respect to the other great doctrine of 

 religion, the immortality of the soul, the sentiments of 

 the Americans Avere more united : the human mind, 

 even Avhen least improA^ed, shrinks from the thoughts 

 of annihilation, and looks forAvard AA'ith hope and 

 • See Voyage, vol. ii. 187. 



