The New Laws of 1542

On November 20, 1542, in Barcelona, Emperor Charles V signed into law a decree for the governance of the Indies. The “New Laws of 1542” legislated on the treatment of Indians and replaced the “old” laws issued in the cities of Burgos and Valladolid in 1512 and 1513. The New Laws of 1542 were milestones in Spain's endeavor to reform and control the devastating consequences of the conquest in the Americas.

The laws represented the practical application of newly emerging theories on the nature of man, of freedom, of rights, and even of international law. As such, they stand as monuments to man's spirit ad desire to do what is right, on the basis of both Scripture and natural law.

That Las Casas is more closely associated with laws than anyone else makes them central in his life, iconic in both name and act. One can argue that they were, in fact, the highlight of his long career. The New Laws, along with his authorship of the Brief History of the Destruction of the Indies, which ignited and fueled the Black Legend are, indeed, what he is best known for in the history of Western civilization.

Let's examine his own words briefly. “My main motive,” he wrote in his History of the Indies, “in dictating this book was that I saw Spain had an urgent, a mortal need to have the truth, the light of the truth shed on Indian affairs, a long-standing need, and at every level of society.” Then Bartolomé warmed to his subject.