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Our Catlzolic Heritage in Texas
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proportionately each of the succeeding years until one-fifth was reached. Each settler should receive two caballerias ( equivalent to sixty-six and two-thirds acres) and two lots which they were ordered to improve and live upon for a period of four years before they could sell or dispose of them. All those who went to the new province for the purpose of settling there during the first five years were allowed to take all their belongings, supplies, and cattle free of duty. In view of previous experiences, the charter gave Narvaez and all the royal officers in his company detailed instructions concerning the treat- ment of the Indians within their jurisdiction. No native should be taken from his pueblo and forced to serve in another locality against his will, nor should any one be reduced to slavery. The Indians must not be over- worked, nor made to carry excessive burdens, nor forced to work in the mines against their will, nor be underfed or underclothed. The priests and missionaries, who were to accompany the expedition, were enjoined to see that these regulations were properly observed. They were asked to be the protectors of the Indians and they were requested to watch over their interests. It was their duty to make known to the natives that the Spaniards came primarily for the purpose of teaching them good customs and the ways of civilized life, to instruct them in the faith, and to make them give up cannibalism. Their persons, property, and families were to be respected in order to win their friendship and avoid the evil results, which the abuses committed by the conquistadors in the early days, had produced. Those who violated the detailed and strict instructions on this subject were to be severely punished and their property was to be confiscated. In order to prevent the depopulation of the islands, Narvaez was strictly ordered to take no men from there. Many of the old settlers of the islands had deserted their homes to go in quest of new adventures and wealth on the mainland, lured by the success of Cortes. He was authorized, however, to take one or two men from the Antilles to serve as guides or interpreters in the new land, but no more. 7 7 Capitulacion que se tomb con Pamfilo de Narvaez, para la conquista del Rio de las Palmas. November 17 and December 11 , 1526, in Pacheco y Cardenas, Docu- mentos lneditos, Vol. 22, pp. 224-245. There is an identical copy of this document in Autos del Marques del Valle.-Pamfilo de Narvaez.-Pedro de Alvarado.- Fernando de Soto y otros descubridores y conquistadores sobre descubrimientos en el Mar del Sur.-Afio. 1526. Buckingham Smith in Nortli American MSS., rsoo- 1560, p. 91 et seq. , published this same charter under the caption " Asiento y Capi- tulaciones que tomo el Emperador con Pamfilo de Narvaez, vecino de la Ysla fer-
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