laborers. As usual, corruption crept in to counteract the intended benefits. Speculators found it lucrative to engage, with connivance of the judge, a large number of the Indians, and hire them to others at higher rates. This abuse became so great that the system had to be abandoned.[1]
In pursuance of this step, and with a view to remove cause for revolt, an important decree appeared in 1609, commanding that provisions and clothing must be sold to Indians at reasonable prices, and that those who attempted to defeat this measure should be punished. In the mining districts the Indians were to be gathered into villages and given land to cultivate, and churches and hospitals. Those who settled in these villages were to be exempt for six years from the usual repartimientos; but they must not leave the place. Since it was necessary to encourage work and progress among all classes, repartimientos must be maintained till the increase of slaves and voluntary workers allowed them to be reduced or abolished. Not more than one seventh of a village population should be called away at a time, in due turn, nor must they be sent to a very distant place or one differing greatly in temperature from that to which they were used. The pay must be fair, and cover the time for coming and going to work. The time and nature of labor should not be exceeded or changed. None could be condemned for crimes to personal service, nor could encomenderos exact it in lieu of tribute. The carrying of loads was restricted, particularly where beasts of burden could be introduced.[2] Not long before this a law had been issued exempting from enco-
- ↑ 'Clamaron los Indios. . .con instancia, bolver à lo pasado.' Torquemada, i. 726.
- ↑ An earlier decree prohibited even voluntary carrying of goods, but this could not be obeyed. Those in charge of herds should not be held responsible for lost stock. Officials connected with repartimientos must be men well known for kindness and probity; they could accept fees only from the employer. Further minor regulations are given in Montemayor, Sumarios, 216-26, 14, 15; Órdenes de la Corona, MS., ii. 139. This important letter was dated May 26, 1609. In accordance with its tenor Velasco regulated the hours of labor and other matters.
