s to making others see the wickedness of the system by which
they profited, and the terrible moral responsibility they would incur by
persisting in it. He formed his determination to preach this crusade in
season and out and to henceforth use every weapon in defence of the
downtrodden natives.

Although he treated his own Indians kindly, and he well knew that if he
renounced his "encomienda" their condition would doubtless be worse under
the power of their new owner than before, Las Casas perceived how
impossible it would be to preach justice for the Indians while he himself
held them in bondage.

He went to the Governor, Diego Velasquez, and opened his mind fully on the
subject, declaring that as his conscience no longer permitted him to hold
his Indians in subjection, he had come to surrender them; and, admonishing
the Governor of his own grave responsibility, he announced that henceforth
his mission would be to preach this doctrine. He desired for the moment
that his resolution should not be made public until the return to Cuba of
his friend and partner, Renteria, who was at that time absent in Jamaica
buying pigs and farm seeds.

The Governor listened with amazement to this new and, to him, monstrous
doctrine and, out of friendly interest for Las Casas, and possibly
thinking that his present intentions might subside if the renunciation of
his property could be deferred, he counselled him to go slowly, saying,
"Look well, father, to what you are doing, lest you may repent, for before
God I would wish to see you rich and prosperous." He urged him to take
fifteen days for careful consideration of the matter and to then return
and discuss his intentions. This did not suit the temper of Las Casas who
answered: "My lord, I am much honoured by your desire for my prosperity
and for all the other favours you do me; but consider, my lord, that the
fifteen days have passed, and should I repent of my intention I have
expressed to you and desire to hold the Indians, and should you, out of
the regard you bear me, wish me to keep them or to renew your grant to me,
may it please God to punish you severely, nor to pardon you this sin. I
only beg your lordship that all this shall remain secret and that you will
not grant the Indians to any one, until Renteria's return, so that his
affairs may sustain no damage."

The Governor reluctantly agreed and his respect for Las Casas being much
increased, he thenceforward forward consu