Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/456

430 430 RISING IN THE ALPUX ARRAS. PART sword with the blood of all these wild beasts of the 1— _ Alpuxarras," consented to terms, which may be deemed reasonable, at least in comparison with his previous policy. These were, the surrender of their arms and fortresses, and the payment of the round sum of fifty thousand ducats. ^ As soon as tranquillity was reestablished, meas- ures were taken for securing it permanently, by introducing Christianity among the natives, without which they never could remain well affected to their present government. Holy men were therefore sent as missionaries, to admonish them, calmly and without violence, of their errors, and to instruct them in the great truths of revelation. ^ Various immunities were also proposed, as an additional in- centive to conversion, including an entire exemption to the party from the payment of his share of the heavy mulct lately imposed. ^ The wisdom of these temperate measures became every day more visible in the conversion, not merely of the simple moun- taineers, but of nearly all the population of the great cities of Baza, Guadix, and Almeria, who consent- ed before the end of the year to abjure their ancient religion, and receive baptism. ^ This defection, however, caused great scandal among the more sturdy of their countrymen, and a 5 Marmol, Rebelion de Moriscos, 7 Privilegios alos Moros de Val- lib. 1, cap. 28. — Abarca, Reyes delecrin y las Alpuxarras que se de Aragon, torn. ii. fol. 338. — Ber- convirtieren, a 30 de Julio de 1500. naldez, Reyes Catolicos, MS., cap. Archivo de Simancas, apud Mem. 159. — Bleda, Coronica, lib. 5, cap. de la Acad, de Hist., torn. vi. 24. apend. 14. c Bleda, Cor6nica, lib. 5, cap. 8 Carbajal, Anales, MS., ajio 24. — Bernaldez, Reyes Cat61icos, 1500. — Garibay, Compendio, torn. MS., cap. 165. ii. lib. 19, cap. 10.