them, dayly afflicting and persecuting them, that they
might not have so much time and leasure at their own disposal, as to
attend their Preaching and Divine Service; for they lookt upon that to
be an impediment to their getting Gold, and raking up riches which
their Avarice stimulated them so boundlessly to prosecute. Nor do they
understand any more of a God, whether he be made of Wood, Brass or
Clay, then they did above an hundred years ago, New _Spain_ only
exempted, which is a small part of _America_, and was visited and
instructed by the Religious. Thus they did formely and still do perish
without true Faith, or the knowledge and benefit of our Religious
Sacraments.

I Frier _Bartholomeas de las Casas_ or _Casaus_ of the Order of St.
_Dominick_, who through the mercy of God am Arriv'd at the _Spanish_
Court, Cordially wishing the expulsion of Hell or these Hellish Acts
out of the _Indies_; fearing least those Souls redeemed by the pretious
Blood of Christ, should perish eternally, but heartily desiring that
they may acknowledge their Creator and be saved; as also for the care
and compassion that I ever had for my Native Countrey _Castile_,
dreading least God should destroy it for the many sins committed by the
Natives her Children, against Faith, Honour and their Neighbours: I
have at length upon the request of some Persons of great Quality in
this Court, who are fervently zealous of the Honour of God, and moved
with pitty at the Calamities and Afflictions of their Neighbours
(though I long since proposed it within my self, and resolved to
accomplish it, but could not, being distracted with the avocations of
multiplicity of constant Business and Employment, have leisure to
effect it) I say I have at length finished this Treatise and Summary at
_Valencia, Decemb._ 8. _An. Dom._ 1542, when they were arrived at the
Height, and utmost Degree of executing Violences, Oppressions, Tyrrany,
Desolations, Torments, and Calamities in all the aforesaid Regions,
Inhabited by the _Spaniards_ (though they are more Cruel in some places
than other) yet _Mexico_ with its Confines were more favourably treated
than the rest of the Provinces.

And indeed no Man durst openly and publickly do any injury to the
Inhabitants; for there some Justice, (which is no where else in
_India_) though very little is done and practiced; yet they are
grievously opprest with intolerable Taxes. But I do really believe,
and am fully perswaded that ou