Note 219 — Chapter XIX

Encomiendas were estates granted to the Spanish conquerors, the inhabitants of which were bound to pay tribute and to render personal service to the holders of the grants. Pizarro was empowered to grant encomiendas to his followers in 1529, and in 1536 these grants were extended to two lives; but by the “New Laws,” enacted in 1542, the encomiendas were to pass immediately to the crown after the death of the actual holders, and a fixed sum was to be settled as tribute to be paid by the Indians. All forced labour was also absolutely forbidden. The conquerors were furious at the promulgation of these humane laws, and, it being considered unsafe to enforce them, they were revoked in 1545. The president Gasca redistributed the encomiendas in Peru in 1550, and they were granted for three lives in 1629. For further information on this subject see my Travels in Peru and India, chap. viii.