CHAP. I I I . ]
CHRISTOPHER
COLUMBUS.
287
on the least offence, or the least freak of ill-humor, inflicted blows and lashes, and even death itself.* Such is but a faint picture of the evils which sprang up under the feeble rule of Bobadilla ; and are sorrowfully described by Las Casas, from actual observation, as he visited the island just at the close of his administration. Bobadilla had trusted to the immense amount of gold, wrung from the miseries of the natives, to atone for all errors, and secure favor with the sovereigns ; but he had totally mistaken his course. The abuses of his govern ment soon reached the royal ear, and above all, the wrongs of the natives reached the benevolent heart of Isabella. Nothing was more calculated to arouse her indignation, and she urged the speedy departure of Ovando, to put a stop to these enormities. In conformity to the plan already mentioned, the government of Ovando extended over the islands and Terra Firma, of which Hispaniola was to be the metropolis. He was to enter upon the exercise of his powers immediately upon his arrival, by procura tion, sending home Bobadilla by the return of the fleet. He was instructed to inquire diligently into the late abuses, punishing the delinquents without favor or partiality, and removing all worth less persons from the island. He was to revoke immediately the license granted by Bobadilla for the general search after gold, it having been given without royal authority. He was to require, for the crown, a third of what was already collected, and one half of all that should be collected in future. He was empowered to build towns, granting them the privileges enjoyed by municipal corporations of Spain, and obliging the Spaniards, and particu larly the soldiers, to reside in them, instead of scattering them selves over the island. Among many sage provisions, there were * Las Casas, Hist. Ind., lib. ii. cap. 1, M S .