by gentleness. This is common to all men in the
world, without regard to difference of errors or sects, or
corruption of morals.
3. The sole and final cause why the Apostolic See granted supreme
sovereignty and imperial jurisdiction over the Indies to the Kings
of Castile and Leon was the preaching of the Gospel, the spread of
the Christian religion, and the conversion of the nations of those
regions, and not to increase their dignity or to make them richer
princes than they were.
4. The Holy See, in granting the said supreme sovereignty, did not
intend to deprive the native sovereigns and rulers of their estates,
lordships, jurisdiction, honours, and dignities, nor did it intend
to give the Kings of Castile and Leon any license by which the
spread of the Gospel should be impeded and the conversion of the
people of those regions be retarded.
5. The said sovereigns of Castile, who offered and bound themselves of
their own choice to see that the faith was preached and the Indians
converted, are obliged by divine precept to bear the necessary
expenses for accomplishing these ends.

These were the most important of the eight articles approved by the synod,
and they were grounded upon and defended by a multitude of arguments drawn
from the Fathers and General Councils: they were not adopted without
opposition, and every point was fought over in endless debates, for the
conquerors and all holders of encomiendas contested stoutly for what they
held to be their rights. The synod also established the conditions on
which sacraments should be administered to the colonists, and addressed a
full report of the proceedings to the Emperor, soliciting his confirmation
and the royal authority for executing all that had been enacted.

Although Las Casas had several times essayed to bring the question of
slavery before the council, no direct or explicit decision was given on
that important point, and as his efforts were embarrassing, the Viceroy
quickly told him that reasons of State had compelled him to defer a
definite solution of that question. Far from quieting Las Casas, this
information aroused his zeal all the more, and as a hearing in the council
was denied him, he preached a few days later when the Viceroy was present,
taking for his text this significant passage from the thirtieth chapter of
the prophet Isaias: "For this is a reb