( So6 ) 



Cortes. Alfo, that to us, the true conquerors Oiould be given the beft 

 diflrids and of moft rent, leaving the cities and great towns for his Ma- 

 jefty's property. Tiie Emperor alfo ordered that the valTals of Cortes 

 fliould be counted, leaving no more with him than his patent fpecified ; 

 but what was to be done with the furplus I do not recoiled:. The rea- 

 fon why Nuno de Guzman and the oydors did not make this repartition 

 in perpetuity was, that they were mifled by bad advifers, whom, not 

 to diflionour, I will not name, but the perfons I have alluded to told 

 them, that if the conquerors once found themfelves provided for, they 

 would ceafe to refpedt and be dependent on them, as was the cafe while 

 they were compelled to fupplicate for a fubfiftence. As alfo, by retain- 

 ing, they kept the power of beftowing the vacant lands at their plea- 

 fure, and to the advantage of their own private intereft. It is true that 

 as diftridis fell vacant, Guzman and the oydors conftantly affigned them 

 to conquerors, and colonics, to their fatis faction; and if that court was 

 Superceded, it was on account of the difputes with Cortes, and of mark- 

 ing free Indians for flaves. 



In the year one thoufand five hundred and fifty, I being in Old 

 Spain, the licentiate De la Gafca came from Peru, and with him D. 

 Martin el Regente a Dominican friar ; and repairing to the court which 

 was then at Valladolid, his Majefty promoted the aforefaid father to the 

 bifliopric of Las Charcas. At this period a council was formed, com- 

 pofed of D. Fray B. de las Cafas bifhop of Chiapa, D. Vafco de Qui- 

 TOga bifhop of Mechoacan, and other cavaliers who came as agents from 

 New Spain and Peru, together with fome hidalgos who were brought 

 by bufinefs to the court, and to this council 1 was alfo called, as being 

 the moft ancient of the conquerors of New Spain. 



De la Gafca and the other Peruvians had brought with them great 

 quantities of treafure, as well for their own nft 35 for his Majefty, the 

 latter being fent from Seville to Augufta in Germany where the Empe- 

 ror tl^n was, and in his company our moli happy Don Philip king of 



• the 



