with his four humble companions. He
finally entered the city of Mexico at ten o'clock one morning, and not
only was there no disturbance of the peace when he was recognised, but his
followers even heard some comments of admiration for him as he passed
through the streets to the Dominican monastery where he was to lodge.

The very day of his arrival, Las Casas betrayed his lack of those
conciliatory qualities, without which no man can negotiate debatable
questions with any hope of success. During his several visits to Spain,
where he handled delicate questions with consummate skill, he had shown
tact in seeking to disarm opposition and conciliate opponents, but in
Mexico he displayed no wordly wisdom whatsoever. He replied to the
message of the Viceroy and the auditors who sent to welcome him, that he
would not visit them as they were excommunicated because they had cut off
the hand of a priest in Antequera.

The news of this message was spread throughout the city and still further
inflamed the popular ire against him. Just at a time when so much
depended upon winning supporters to his side and conciliating, as far as
possible, the conflicting principles of the contending parties, Las Casas
alienated the powerful Viceroy and the auditors, and rendered himself
inaccessible to any possible overtures from the more reasonable and
moderate men of the opposition, whom it should have been his first duty to
placate by every possible concession.

The synod or council was composed of the five bishops of Mexico, Chiapa,
Guatemala, Oaxaca, and Mechoacan, with possibly a sixth from Tiazcala;
besides these, there were the prelates and chief theologians of the
religious orders, and finally, all the learned men of the colony. The
outcome of their deliberations was contained in eight propositions, of
which the five principal ones were as follows:

1. All infidels, of whatsoever sect or religion they may be or whatever
may be their sins, hold and possess in conformity with the natural
and divine law and the law of nations, the property they acquire
without prejudice to others; and likewise their principalities,
kingdoms, estates, lordships, dignities, and jurisdictions.
2. Although four different classes of infidels exist, there is but one
method instituted by divine providence for teaching the true
religion, namely, persuading the understanding by reasoning and
attracting the will