_How we introduced the Christian religion among the Indians; of
their conversion and baptism; and of the different trades we taught
them._
After we had abolished idolatry and other abominations from among the
Indians, the Almighty blessed our endeavours and we baptized the men,
women, and all the children born after the conquest, whose souls would
otherwise have gone to the infernal regions. With the assistance of God,
and by a good regulation of our most Christian monarch, of glorious
memory, Don Carlos, and of his excellent son Don Philip, our most happy
and invincible king, to whom may God grant a long life and an increase
of territory, several pious monks of different orders arrived in New
Spain, who travelled from place to place, preached the gospel to the
inhabitants, and baptized new-born infants. By their unremitted
exertions Christianity became planted in their hearts, so that the
inhabitants came to the confessional once every year; and those who were
better instructed in our Christian faith received the holy communion.
Their churches are very richly ornamented with altars, crucifixes,
candelabras, different-sized chalices, censers, and everything else
required in our religious ceremonies, all of pure silver. The more
wealthy townships have the vestments of choristers, the chasuble and the
full canonicals of a priest, mostly of velvet damask or silk, and of
various colours and manufacture. The flags which hang to the crosses are
of silk, and richly ornamented with gold and pearls. The funeral crosses
are covered with satin, and bear the figure of a death's head and cross
bones; the funeral palls, in some townships, are also more or less
splendid. The churches are likewise provided with a set of bells, have a
regular band of choristers, besides flutes, dulcimers, clarions, and
sackbuts, and some have even organs. I do believe there are more large
and small trumpets in the province of Guatimala, where I am writing
this, than in my native country Old Castile. It is indeed wonderful, and
we cannot thank God too much for it, to behold the Indians assisting in
the celebration of the holy mass, which they particularly do in those
places where the Franciscan friars or the Brothers of Charity officiate
at the altar.
It was also a great blessing for the Indians that the monks taught them
to say their prayers in their own language, and frequently to repeat
them. The monks have altogether so accustomed them to reverence
everything relating to religion, that they never pass by any altar or
cross without falling down on their knees and repeating a Pater Noster
or an Ave Maria. We also taught the Indians to make wax lights for the
holy service, for, previous to our arrival, they made no manner of use
of their wax. We taught them to be so obedient and respectful to the
monks and priests, that whenever one of these religious men approach a
township the bells are rung, and the inhabitants go out to meet him with
wax-lights in their hands; and they always give him a hospitable
reception. On the day of Corpus Christi, the birth of Mary, and on other
saint-days, when we are accustomed to form processions, the inhabitants
of the districts surrounding Guatimala likewise march out in procession
with crucifixes, lighted candles, and carry about their tutelar saint
splendidly dressed up, all the time chanting hymns, accompanied by the
sound of flutes and trumpets. The inhabitants have also learnt the
different trades which are carried on in Spain, in a highly praiseworthy
manner. They have regular workshops with all kinds of instruments, and
earn a good livelihood by their industry; the gold and silver workers
are particularly expert, as well in the smelting as in the hammering of
these metals. The lapidaries and painters are also very clever, and the
sculptors produce astonishing works of art with their emeralds and fine
steel instruments. Among others, they sculpture the figure of our
Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ, with all the expression of his suffering,
in so exquisite a manner, that unless we had witnessed it with our own
eyes we could not have thought Indians capable of doing it. If I might
offer an opinion, I think, that neither the celebrated Apelles of
ancient times, nor the great masters of our days, Berruguete[61] and
Michael Angelo, nor even the more modern artist of Burgos, who is said
to be a real Apelles, could produce such beautiful works of art with
their fine pencils, as the celebrated Indian masters, Andreas de Aquino,
Juan de la Cruz, and Crespello, with their emeralds. Besides this, the
sons of the more distinguished chiefs of the country are well
instructed in our grammar, and the most reverend the archbishop of
Mexico sees that this is strictly attended to. Several of these young
men are not only able to read and write, but even compose whole books of
choral songs. Numbers of Indians are also employed in weaving silks,
satins, and taffetas. They manufacture all kinds of coarse woollen
stuffs and mantles; there are also cloth manufacturers, wool-combers,
fullers, hat-makers, and soap-makers, as good as those of Segovia and
Cuenca; but they have not been able as yet to learn glass-blowing and
the apothecaries' trade; however, they are so expert in all arts that no
doubt they will soon master these also; though there are among them
surgeons and herbarists. They are very expert at juggling, perform
puppet-shows, and play on the guitar. Of agriculture they understood
something before our arrival, but now also they attend to the breeding
of all kinds of cattle. They plough with oxen, sow maise, bake biscuits,
and have everywhere planted Spanish fruit trees, so that they already
draw considerable profit from them. As the fruit of the peach tree is
not wholesome, and the plantain tree throws too much shadow, they
continually keep cutting them down, and plant in their stead quince,
apple, and pear trees, which, in their estimation are of greater value.
We have also introduced among them good police and justice. In every
township the Indians annually choose their alcaldes, regidors,
accountants, alguacils, and other authorities; and they have a
courthouse where the authorities hear causes twice a week, and pronounce
judgment in actions for debt and minor offences. Criminal cases and
heavy offences are always referred to the governor or the royal court of
audience, according to circumstances. I have been assured by credible
persons that when the town councils of Tlascalla, Tezcuco, Cholulla,
Huexotzinco, and of other great towns meet, the mace-bearers precede the
civic authorities with golden staffs, the same as are carried before a
viceroy; also that these Indian judges are as correct in the judgments
they pronounce, and look quite as dignified as the judges in Spain, and
that they assiduously study our laws and set a high value on them. All
the caziques keep good establishments, they have their horses with
beautiful saddles and trappings, and whenever they travel through the
country are attended by numerous pages. In some townships even tilts,
tournaments, and bull-fights take place among them, particularly on
Corpus Christi day, the feast of St. John, St. Jacob, and of the Virgin
Mary, in the month of August. Many Indians have even the courage to
combat with the bulls, though these animals are so uncommonly fierce.
Some of the most expert horsemen are to be found among them,
particularly among the inhabitants of Chiapa de los Indios. Most of the
caziques breed their own horses and mules, which they employ in carrying
goods for sale to the different markets,[62] and gain a livelihood as
carriers to different parts of the country, in the same way as we do in
Spain. In short they are uncommonly expert in all handicrafts, even to
the making of tapestry. I must now close this, and relate what further
advantages the Indians derived in the following chapter.