78 



INTRODUCTION. 



that through the energetic remonstrances of Las Casas, 

 and the rapid diminution of the Indians, that the wick- 

 ed and cruel oppression was compelled to give way 

 to a substitute in theory at leasts of a milder character. 

 The incomiendas were established; by which a cer- 

 tain number of Indian families, were presumed to be 

 placed under the protection of some person of virtue 

 and humanity; thus creating as was supposed, the re- 

 lation of the Roman client and patron. The Indians 

 were declared free, and in lieu of the taxes and dues 

 paid by other subjects, a poll tax was imposed upon 

 all from eighteen to fifty, amounting to about five dol- 

 lars each. This tax and the vexations practised by 

 the incomenderos^ who perverted their trusts, left the 

 Indians in a situation but little better. It was not 

 until the gradual diminution of those estates, that theii/^ 

 situation was at all improved. Humboldt states that 

 of late years, they have been observed to increase, 

 which he considers as the best proof that their condi' 

 tion has been improving. 



If the Spanish kings are entitled to credit for their 

 endeavors to relieve the Indians from the oppression 

 of the great land holders, there is one species of im- 

 position practised by themselves on these unfortunate 

 people, which more than counterbalances their good 

 actions in other respects. It is found that the Indian 

 can best withstand the destructive occupation of la- 

 boring in the mines, that Europeans or negroes perish 

 almost instantly; that unwholesome labor is, therefore, 

 assigned to the Indians; probably the true reason is, 

 that their loss excites less sympathy. There is an 

 annual conscription, called the to work in the 



royal mines. The elfect of this barbarous oppression 



