In Defense of the Indians: The Defense of the Most Reverend Lord, Don Fray Bartolome De Las Casas, of the Order of Preachers, Late Bishop of Chiapa,

Rating:
Summary: An interesting read, but be prepared
Review: Las Casas is an interesting figure: bishop, Dominican, late scholastic, polemicist, he spent great amounts of time and effort in order to ensure the equitable treatment of the American natives by the Spaniards. This tome is a good example of his toils.

This book (if memory serves) is basically the defense of the native peoples Las Casas presented at the Council of Valladolid against various others, most especially a theologian named Sepulveda (who argued, among other things, that the natives were Aristotelian "natural slaves"). Las Casas makes his case that the natives are fully human, can be converted, and should be treated rightly. In the process of doing this, Las Casas touches on (among other things) the nature of the Church, conversion and "scandal," and the just war tradition. Las Casas manages to pile quite a bit into this work.

The reader should prepare, though, for a somewhat difficult read. Las Casas was using every argumentative means available to make his case for the Indians. He goes from scholastic argument and legal discussion (often times repeatedly bringing up the same or similar point) to out and out polemics and ad hominem attacks. The work is not terribly systematic, and can seem a bit frenzied.

Having written that, though, it is a fascinating read by a remarkable bishop. Those interested in the time of exploration, the relations between the Europeans and the Indians, a practical use of Thomistic thinking and canon law, or of conversion in a foreign land. should read this book. The translation by Poole is excellent, as is his citing of works mentioned/implied in Las Casas' arguments. Highly recommended.