Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/544

524 Regulations for Indians, as we have repeatedly seen, were full of liberal, benevolent, and as a rule wise measures, though misapplied by rapacious or negligent officials. More consideration was shown for the faults of the natives; special exemptions were granted from taxes, and many privileges extended, as if in regard for their primary right to the soil, and their poverty, and as if they were less responsible beings. The quality of this consideration has no parallel in the history of colonization; there is a pure charity, a tender humanity about it, which we look for in vain among the other nations of Christendom. The encomienda system had been gradually abolished, and liberty granted to the Indians freely to dispose of their labor; yet advantage continued to be taken of their poverty and ignorance, to abuse them, and practically to maintain them in slavery, notwithstanding the many strict laws against advancing money or effects, or otherwise to place them under binding obligation. The alcaldes mayores and corregidores placed to protect them were only too often their chief oppressors, who relentlessly exacted the tribute from which they obtained a percentage, and who sold to them by compulsion useless goods at exorbitant rates. The establishment of intendencias had for its object the reform of these abuses, and improvement certainly took place. The effort to congregate them into villages, particularly near mines and settlements, was still carried on, partly to promote their culture by means of priests and example, partly for advancement of colonization and increase of state revenue, the frequent practice of introducing laborers from a distant province being objectionable in many ways.

In the villages so formed no strangers must be allowed, even of their own race, and those enrolled as settlers must not live away from the place. Large villages had two alcaldes and four regidores, elected