# Identifications & Discussion Questions 10.1.7-9

Imperialisms, Ancient and Modern, Identifications & Discussion Questions, 10.1.7 to 10.1.9. Latin.

Canonical: https://interlinea.aeterna-institute.org/library/latin/imperialisms-ancient-and-modern/identifications-discussion-questions-7/10.1.7

Las Casas interrupted work on the book only to send to the Council of the Indies in Madrid three long letters (in 1531, 1534, and 1535), in which he accused persons and institutions of the sin of oppressing the Indian, particularly through the encomienda system. After various adventures in Central America, where his ideas on the treatment of the natives invariably brought him into conflict with the Spanish authorities, Las Casas wrote De único modo (1537; "Concerning the Only Way of Drawing All Peoples to the True Religion"), in which he set forth the doctrine of peaceful evangelization of the Indian. Together with the Dominicans, he then employed this new type of evangelization in a "land of war" (a territory of still-unconquered Indians)—Tuzutlan, near the Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf) in present-day Costa Rica. Encouraged by the favourable outcome of this experiment, Las Casas set out for Spain late in 1539, arriving there in 1540. While awaiting an audience with Charles V, Las Casas conceived the idea of still another work, the Brev�sima relación de la destrucción de las Indias ("A Brief Report on the Destruction of the Indians"), which he wrote in 1542 and in which the historical events described are in themselves of less importance than their theological interpretation: "The reason why the Christians have killed and destroyed such an infinite number of souls is that they have been moved by their wish for gold and their desire to enrich themselves in a very short time." Las Casas's work finally seemed to be crowned with success when King Charles signed the so-called New Laws ( Leyes Nuevas ). According to these laws, the encomienda was not to be considered a hereditary grant; instead, the owners had to set free their Indians after the span of a single generation. To ensure enforcement of the laws, Las Casas was named bishop of Chiapas in Guatemala, and in July 1544 he set sail for America, together with 44 Dominicans. Upon his arrival in January 1545, he immediately issued Avisos y reglas para confesores de españoles ("Admonitions and Regulations for the Confessors of Spaniards"), the famous Confesionario , in which he forbade absolution to be given to those who held Indians in encomienda . The rigorous enforcement of his regulations led to vehement opposition on the part of the Spanish faithful during Lent of 1545 and forced Las Casas to establish a council of bishops to assist him in his task. But soon his uncompromisingly pro-Indian position alienated his colleagues, and in 1547 he returned to Spain.

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