The story of Bartolomé de Las Casas

Nicholas de Ovando (1451-1511)

Governor of Espanola between 1502 and 1509. He replaced Bobadilla in 1502. He was the prodogy of  Fernando el Católico. He was the conquistador and in a very short time he exploited and enslaved  the islands indigenous peoples exterminating whole towns (Slaughter of Jaragua). His governing was the  model of the great conquering of Spain in the new world. He conquered and enslaved the indians during his  governing so he could have control of gold and treasures this island held. Under his rule the colony became  very rich and cost the lives of most all of the original inhabitants. He founded 17 villages and cities and instituted the first town halls. He returned to Spain in 1509..

The son of Christopher Columbus. He is thought to be born in Lisbon or Porto Santo

Portugal. From a very young age he had the opportunity to belong to the Spanish court as page of the prince Don Juan and after that the queen.  According to the capitulations of Santa Fe, signed by Columbus and Catholic Kings, all the titles that were granted to his father Christopher, would be inherited by  Diego, his son. But all these privileges were denied to him before and after the death of the Admiral. When he married Maria de Toledo, in 1508, her being of noble lineage who's family had  much influence in the Spanish court, allowed Diego to obtain official recognition and thus granted him many privileges.

In 1509, Diego Columbus (Columbus Palace) arrived in Hispanola to replace Nicholas de Ovando. Accompanied by its wife, uncles, their brother Fernando and a large following.  During the government of Diego Columbus on Hispanola came the conquests of Cuba, Puerto Rico and Jamaica.  As soon as he settled in the colony, Diego Columbus began to grant privileges to the people who came with him. For example, all were benefited with distribution and allotment of the Indians properties. This caused much discourse between some resident Spaniards of the island.  These complained before the court and demanded a better treatment on the part of the Governor. It was then when the Treasurer, Miguel de Pasamonte, formed a group called The Servants of the King to oppose it to the governing group who called The Servers of the King.

     In order to finish with the fight between both groups, the monarch named the Real Audience, court who reduced the powers of the governor. Another one of the disadvantages that confronted the Governor, was the fight of the Dominican priests defending the Indians.  The defense of the Indians was initiated by Montesinos father, with the sermon that demanded a better treatment for the natives. The sermon of Montesinos was listened to by the governor and the other authorities, and was pronounced in 1511. The conflicts in Hispanola forced the king to replace Diego Columbus, who returned to Spain.After being in Spain for a few years he gained favor of the king who again named him governor in 1520. Two years later the first rise of the black slaves took place. This new government was calmer than the previous one and king Carlos V finally suspended the son of Christopher Columbus from the government of Hispanola.

     He returned to Spain in 1523 and died in 1526 without  the promised recognition of his inherited rights  promised him by  his father.

Here is the history of the people that made Dominican Republic. The good and the bad. All had a hand in making our country what it has become today. The Tainos called the island Quisqueya. It has also been called, Hispanola, Las Americas, La Primera, Greater Antilles, and of course as we know it now, Dominican Republic. Read on to learn about the discoverers and founders or this beautiful land.

FRAY ANTON de MONTESINOS 

In the years of 1494 and 1495 Cristóbal Columbus carried out  military campaigns to force the Taínos to be put under the rule of the Catholic Kings and to serve the Spaniards. The Taínos caught at this time were forced to work in the mines. They were treated as less than human, as if they were property instead of human beings during the time of Columbus. Even though Corona had declared in 1501 that the Taínos were free and that did not have to be mistreated, nobody never listened or obeyed  him. The Indians were considered below animals and without souls. They continued to use and abuse the original inhabitants of the island. Nicholas de Ovando, governor of the island in 1503, told the queen that if he did not use the Indians to work for them in the mines, the island would become depopulated and all the business therein would be lost. So since the Kings were more interested in obtaining gold to fund the expenses in Europe, the abuse of the Indians was made legal by Corona. He continued to give the Indians to the Spaniards to work the mines and the farms, to be slaves. The Spaniards only had to teach the Taínos about the Catholic ways. The permission was given the 20 of December of 1503. Thus began the "Sistema de las Encomiendas en la Española ( the system of Economics of Spain), This was the start of the abuse of the Indians. These Indians who managed to live after serving in the mines or fields for  1 year of forced labor were desperate. Many committed mass suicides. Many of the children died and like wise their mothers.  in  1508 when a census of Indians was taken,  there were only 60.000 left of the original 400.000 that were counted when Columbus came onto the island for the first time only sixteen years before. This hurt the Spanish and their gold mining so they decided to bring the Indians of the Lucayas Islands. Even with these to work because of the   cruel treatment and the insatiable thirst for gold of king Fernando, these also died off.

This was what Fray Antón de Montesino found upon his arrival, and the arrival of the Dominican order or Friars, on the island of Hispanola. They saw first hand the treatment and the life of shortage and forced work of the Indians. Immediately they started a fight in favor of these victims. To give them  rights equal to those of the Spaniards. "I am the voice of Christ who cries out in the desert of this island", these words were part of the sermon given by Fray Antón de Montesinos on the first Sunday of Advent, the 30 of November of 1511, in the presence of Sir Diego Columbus. All the top officials and authority figures were present. In a full speech of admonition, with all sins described in detail, the titled sermon “Ego Vox Clamantis in deserto”  was signed by all the friars of the order. They demanded of the Spaniards rights and justice for the Taínos, condemning the oppression against them. The scandal was enormous, and all  were astonished by the boldness of Fray Antón de Montesinos.  Fray Pedro of Cordova, head of the order, promised that Montesinos would make a full retraction in its next sermon, which of course did not happen. When arriving the second Sunday from Advent, the 7 of December, Montesinos continued his attack on these atrocities in yet harder words. Montesinos was sent to court. After great difficulties Montesinos managed to see the King and to explain the situation to him. The King held a town meeting, composed by theologians and jurists, to discuss and make a judgment on the case. Montesinos fought and won. The Government dictated the results in the Laws of Towns, regulating the work of the Indians but still forcing them to work as before. The Dominican and  Montesinos continued to fight because these laws did not resolve the situation. Finally the Government of Cisneros Cardinal created  "el Gobierno de los Gerónimos"  to mediate between both parties and to create laws in favor of the natives. The laws were not applied and the plans of el Gobierno de los Gerónimos failed.  Montesino died without ever seeing his dream of equality come to pass. He  become the author of the first official reclamation of freedom and equality of the people of America.

Interesting piece of information:

There is a Fray Antón de Montecinos Award from the Alumni Association of the University of Santo Domingo in New York City. This award is given annually to a Dominican professional who lives in the United States. This person must substantially enhanced the reputation of the Dominican Republic through their work.The award includes a $5,000 cash prize and a replica of a statue of de Montesinos

About the monument dedicated to Fray Antón de Montecinos

Born in Spain he was nobleman who served fighting against the Moors when Spain retook their country . Francisco de Bobadilla, Chevalier and Knight. Commander of the Royal Order of Calatrava. Because of this  he was favored by the royal family. He arrived in the colonies in 1500 when he was sent by King Ferdinand and Queen  Isabella to check up on the Columbus boys. Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus) who was the governor of the island at this time, ruled along with his two brothers, Bartholomew and Diego. Because of the rebellion of Roldán  and the many complaints the Queen was hearing , Bobadilla was sent to check out what was happening first hand. Checking out  what the brothers Columbus were really up to. Bobadilla took it upon himself and had Columbus and his brothers captured, confiscated all his goods and belongings, and had them sent back to Spain in chains. This made the queen angry because she didn't order these actions. She sent for Bobadilla to return immediately to answer to her and sent Nicolás de Ovando to take his place in 1502. When Bobadilla was returning to Spain his ship hit a storm and he perished.

(A little history on the history. It is thought that Columbus had an affair with Bobadillas' niece Eleanora de Bobadilla who was married to Alfonso de Lugo, Governor of all the Canary Islands. This is where Columbus made stops to restock his supplies whilst sailing the islands)

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