In fact, if by good fortune the Indian
had not lost his life at the end of his term of service, he might be
brought into debt which he could not pay, and thus held a slave for life.
The _repartimiento_ was another protective law, which also became a means
of oppression. Under it the district officials were required to supply all
things needed by the Indians, there being, when the law was passed, no
peddlers or travelling dealers. This privilege was quickly and shamelessly
abused, the natives being sold poor clothing, spoiled grain, sour wine,
and other inferior supplies, often at three or four times their value when
of good quality. They were even made to buy things at high prices which
were of no possible use to them, such as silk stockings for men who went
barefoot, and razors for those who had scarcely any beard to shave. One
_corregidor_ bought a box of spectacles from a trader, and made the
natives buy these at his own price, to wear when they went to mass,
without regard to the fact that they were utterly useless to them.
The oppression of the natives was not confined to the laity, but the
clergy were often as unjust.
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