We ask that..... you acknowledge the Christian church as the ruler and superior of the whole world, and as superiors that you agree to let the Christian priests preach to you.
If you do so, you will do well....we will receive you in love and charity .... and shall leave you free without slavery (The Priests) shall not compel you to become Christians unless you yourself wish to be converted.
But if you do not do this .... we shall forcefully enter into your country and shall make war against you .... we shall take you and your wives and your children and shall make slaves of them .... we protest that the death and losses which shall result from this are your fault. Excerpts from a proclamation to be read in Spanish to Indians who were encountered. If the Indians did not agree to the terms, the Spanish considered them in defiance of the Spanish monarch.) 1512 Document 2 When some merchant friends of his heard that he had been made captain-general they lent him 4,000 pesos in coin, and another 4,000 in goods on the security of the Indians and land he owned. He then had two standards and banners made. They were worked in gold with the royal arms and a cross on each side and a legend that read:
"Brothers and comrades, let us follow the sign of the Holy Cross in true faith, for under this sign we shall conquer."
And he ordered a proclamation to be made to the sound of trumpets and drums, in the name of His