News From 1514; 1614; & 1714

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·      1514

The Spanish priest, Bartolomé de Las Casas, began his opposition to the use of Indian slaves.  He condemned their treatment in his writings and his anxiety to help the Indians he suggested to the king that Negro slaves be used instead 

King Ferdinand of Spain restricted the importation of Negro slaves.  The ratio of Spaniards to Negroes was to be three to one in the interests of security

·      1614

Spanish law forbade the buying of goods from slaves.  It was assumed that such transactions caused the slaves to rob and become unruly. 

·      1714

Gold was discovered in Brazil at the settlement of Villa Nova do Principe, which had been founded by escaped slaves from plantations in the Brazilian inland regions