time, rouzed the zeal, as well as it did the compassion, of some of the truly pious of that day; particularly that of Bartholomew De las Casas, bishop of Chapia; whom a desire of being instrumental towards the conversion of the Indians, had invited into America.  It is generally agreed by the writers of that age, that he was a man of perfect disinterestedness, and ardent charity; being affected with this sad spectacle, he returned to the court of Spain, and there made a true report of the matter; but not without being strongly opposed by those mercenary wretches, who had enslaved the Indians; yet being strong and indefatigable, he went to and fro between Europe and America, firmly determined not to give over his pursuit but with his life.  After long solicitation, and innumerable repulses, he obtained leave to lay the matter before the Emperor Charles the Fifth, then King of Spain.  As the contents of the speech he made before the King in council, are very applicable to the case of the enslaved Africans, and a lively evidence that the spirit of true piety speaks the same language in the hearts of faithful men in all ages, for the relief of their fellow creatures from oppression of every kind, I think it may not be improper here to transcribe the most interesting parts of it.  “I was,” says this pious bishop, “one of the first who went to America; neither curiosity nor interest prompted me to undertake so long and dangerous a voyage; the saving the souls of the heathen was my sole object.  Why was I not permitted, even at the expence of my blood, to ransom so many thousand souls, who fell unhappy victims to avarice or lust?  I have been an eye witness to such cruel treatment of the Indians, as is too horrid to be mentioned at this time.—­It is said that barbarous executions were necessary to punish or check the rebellion of the Americans;—­but to whom was this owing?  Did not those people receive the Spaniards, who first came amongst them, with gentleness and humanity?  Did they not shew more joy, in proportion, in lavishing treasure upon them, than the Spaniards did greediness in receiving it?—­But our avarice was not yet satisfied;—­tho’ they gave up to us their land and their riches, we would tear from them their wives, their children and their liberties.—­To blacken these unhappy people, their enemies assert, that they are scarce human creatures?—­but it is we that ought to blush, for having been less men, and more barbarous, than they.—­What right have we to enslave a people who are born free, and whom we disturbed, tho’ they never offended us?—­They are represented as a stupid people, addicted to vice?—­but have they not contracted most of their vices from the example of the christians?  And as to those vices peculiar to themselves, have not the christians quickly exceeded them therein?  Nevertheless it must be granted, that the Indians still remain untainted with many vices usual amongst the Europeans; such as ambition, blasphemy, treachery, and many like monsters, which