Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/548

528 and in Peru, where Viceroy Vasco Nuñez Vela would not recede, they produced the great rebellion resulting in that official's death, and which might have caused the loss to the Spanish crown of the country,

but for the prudence and energy of Pedro de la Gasca. But how stood the Spanish government at the time in relation to the colonies, if impotent to enforce laws dictated by an impulse humane and Christian? The representations of Las Casas and others had convinced the monarch of the necessity of taking steps for the relief of the natives; for soon after havin sanctioned the new laws, he confessed that "the character of the Indians is now well known; they are children; they are so intimidated and dependent that it would be vain to tarry until they arouse themselves, for they cannot speak though they be slaughtered like so many sheep." At the same time he knew his Spanish subjects well, and acknowledged that "the coveteousness of our Spaniards is manifest to the whole world; they want all; however much they may obtain, it will not satisfy them." Then fearful of the result to himself the perplexed emperor cried out: "If the poor Indians should suffer by reason of any negligence of mine, it will be at the risk of my soul."

We have seen before this that a decline in the revenues might be expected should the system of encomiendas be abolished; this economic reason was of weight, and it was by no means difficult for the avarice of Charles to overrule his religious scruples. The safety of the colonies he had at heart; could he risk an uprising among his Spanish colonists by depriving them of their conquered spoil? Being so far from the Indies, he might easily see and hear only that which was to his interest. "A good governor