Return to Europe
Armed with a newfound conscience and written evidence of the atrocities being committed in the Indies, Las Casas sailed east in 1515. Accompanied by Antonio de Monteinos, he returned to Spain with the intention of convincing King Ferdinand to end the encomienda system. Las Casas offered vivid recollections of the horrors the Tainos were suffering, and reminded the King that Spain was a Christian nation, that there was no need for the Indians to suffer at the hands of men professing to have the love of Christ in their hearts. While lobbying for liberation for the Tainos, Las Casas encountered Cardinal Francisco de Ximenes. Las Casas’ testimony stirred Ximenes and they began to piece together a method of liberating the Indians, that would end with the Indians being relocated back to their villages. Ximenes was so inspired by Las Casas’ passion, he referred to him as “Protector of the Indians.” Nevertheless, the reforms they attempted to institute had little effect. The influx of money and resources from across the Atlantic helped silence resistance to any change in the current state of the Indies.