THE WILL OF ISABEL THE CATHOLIC: THE GOOD TREATMENT OF THE INDIANS

Queen Isabel made her will at the castle of La Mota, in Medina del Campo, on October 12, 1504.

On November 23, she added a codicil, in Chapter XII of which she expresses her concern for the inhabitants of the newly discovered American lands.

Therefore, she asks her husband Ferdinand, her daughter Princess Juana, and her son-in-law Archduke Philip to ensure that the Indians are treated with justice and respect and to remember that the main purpose for which they have been granted the territories of the New World is evangelization:

"Whereas, at the time that the islands and mainland of the Ocean Sea, discovered and undiscovered, were granted to us by the Holy Apostolic See, our main intention was, while we begged Pope Alexander VI of good memory, who made us the said concession, to try to induce and bring the peoples therein and convert them to our Holy Catholic Faith, and to send to the said islands and mainland of the Ocean Sea pearls, religious men, clerics, and other learned and God-fearing people, to instruct the neighbors and inhabitants thereof in the Catholic Faith, and to teach and indoctrinate them good customs and to exercise due diligence in this regard, as more fully  In the Letters of the said concession it is contained, therefore I most affectionately implore the King, my Lord, and I charge and command the said Princess my daughter and the said Prince her husband, that they do and comply with this, and that this be their main objective, and that they exercise great diligence in this regard, and that they do not consent or allow the neighboring Indians and residents of the said Indies and mainland, conquered and yet to be conquered, to receive any harm in their persons or property; but I command that they be well and justly treated. And if they have received any harm, that they remedy and provide for it."