DOC 9HIST PS Journal 1 bartolome de las casas by gorge sanderlin

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South Louisiana Community College *

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2010

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History

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Oct 30, 2023

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1 – History 2010 – Journal #1 – [From George Sanderlin (ed. and trans.), Bartolomé de las Casas: A Selection of His Writings (New York: Knopf, 1971), pp. 63-65.] The book title is " Bartolome de las Casas: A Selection of His Writings ," George Sanderlin published it in New York in 1971. He translated and edited Bartolome de las Casas' Spanish-written account of the 1502 Spanish Conquest of Cuba, where the Spaniards slaughtered countless innocent Indigenous people, including men, women, children, and the elderly. Las Casas had never witnessed such cruel and evil actions. His empathy led him to advocate for better treatment and human rights for the Indigenous peoples. Las Casas repeatedly wrote to the King of Spain to initiate the passing of new laws to stop the cruel exploitation of Native Americans. He acquired the title "Defender of the Indigenous peoples" for his valiant stand against the atrocities of the colonization and conquest of the New World. Customary among the Spaniards, the captain would appoint one person to distribute to each person the food and other things the Indians were giving. One may presume the Indians would be aggressive or hostile when the Spaniards entered their village. The Indigenous people were unarmed and frightened, staring at the Spaniard's armor and horses. Las Casas describes a Spaniard as "... in whom the devil is thought to have clothed himself, suddenly drew his sword." The slaughter began and continued until the bodies of the Indians lay in a river of blood, expired. Las Casas moved from the middle of the village to near where the Indians had initially lodged him. He moved to wrath, opposed, and harshly rebuked the Spaniards actions, trying to stop them. Having some respect for him, some Spaniards stopped pursuing the Indians they

2 intended to kill, leaving forty alive. Las Casas wanted to help the Indians escape so the Spaniards would not murder them. The Spanish captain, Narvaez, said, "How does Your Honor like what these our Spaniards have done?" Las Casas was distraught and could not believe that this cruel event had happened, and scattered on the ground was the flesh of the Indians cut into bloody pieces. Las Casas replied, "That I command you and them to the devil!" He became convinced that the enslavement and slaughter of the Indigenous population was not only a crime but also a mortal sin, as defined by the Catholic Church. La Casas unwavering faith made him a fervent supporter of treating Indigenous peoples fairly. He continued advocating for Indigenous people until his death. His writings quickly gained popularity throughout Europe and served as a moral justification for other European countries to challenge Spain's colonial empire with their plans for conquest and colonization. Las Casas and the other native advocate's theories focused on protecting the natives physically, not culturally. Las Casas' efforts prompted early debates and legal reforms about human rights.

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