A Brief Account of the Destruction of the Indies by Bartolomé de las Casas

_The Reverend Author of this Compendious Summary was_ Bartholomaeus de las Casas _alias_ Casaus, _a Pious and Religeous person, (as appears by his zealous Transports in this Narrative for promotion of the Christian Faith) elevated from a Frier of the_ Dominican _Order to sit in the Episcopal Chair, who was frequently importuned by Good and Learned Men, particularly Historians, to Publish this Summary, who so prevailed with him, that he Collected out of that copious History which might and ought to be written on this subject, the contents of this concise Treatise with intention to display unto the World the Enormities,_ &c. _the_ Spaniards _committed in_ America _during their residence there, to their eternal ignominy; and for the author finding that no Admonitions or Reprehensions, how mild soever could operate upon or sink into the rocky-hearted Tyrants in those Occidental parts; he therefore took up a firm resolution, being then about 50 years of age (as he himself declares) to run the Hazards and Dangers by Sea, and the Risque of a long voyage into_ Spain _there to acquaint and Certifie the most Illustrious Prince_ Phillip _the Son and Heir of his Imperial Majesty_ Charles _the Fifth of Blessed Memory, with the Horrid crimes,_ &c. _perpetrated in those countries, part whereof he had seen, and part heard from such as boasted of their Wickedness.

Whereupon his_ Caeserean _Majesty moved with a tender and Christian compassion towards these Inhabitants of the Countries of_ America, _languishing for want of redress, he called a Council at_ Valedolid, _Anno Dom. 1542.