Bartolome delasCasas rejected theSpanishde-piction ofIndians as atheistic, uncivilized savages devoid ofpolitical, social, orlegal institutions:They are not ignorant, inhuman, orbestial. Rather, long before they had heard the word Spanish, they had properly organized states, wisely ordered by excellent laws, religion, custom. They cultivated friendship and, bound together in common fellowship, lived in populous cities in which they wisely administered the affairs of both peace andwar justly and equitably, truly governed by laws that in many points surpass ours.

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