SPANISH OPPRESSION. 



151 



emanating from the throne^ for this humane 

 purpose, became a dead letter upon their 

 arrival in the colonies ; or only seemed to 

 increase the oppressive tyranny of those whose 

 infernal proceedings it was both the duty and 

 the desire of the sovereign to punish and 

 prevent. 



The system of taxation, known by the name 

 of los repartimientosj was established in its 

 worst form, almost in every district, and the 

 cruelty of it was insufferable. The corregidors 

 appointed from Spain, with scarcely any salary, 

 had a direct interest in this oppression. They 

 were permitted to monopolize the sale, to the 

 Indians, of all the necessaries and conveniences 

 of life. These were bought, no matter at how 

 exorbitant a price, from the stores at Lima, or 

 other principal towns, and carried with the cor- 

 regidor, in his circuit of visitation, to the vil- 



