Pizarro’s Rejection of a Conquistador’s Petition
The person (encomendero) granted a charter called an encomienda by the Spanish crown could require tribute (repartimiento) from the Indians and was required to protect them and instruct them in the Christian faith. Although encomiendas did not include land, in practice encomenderos took control of Indians’ lands and forced them into low or unpaid labor for a portion of each year. Because of such abuses, the Spanish government attempted reform at various times. In this petition to Francisco Pizarro, governor of Peru, encomendero Pedro del Barco requests inspections of encomiendas before institution of reforms regarding repartimientos. The document bears the extremely rare signature of Pizarro, “El Marques Pizarro.”
The person (<em>encomendero</em>) granted a charter called an <em>encomienda</em> by the Spanish crown could require tribute (<em>repartimiento</em>) from the Indians and was required to protect them and instruct them in the Christian faith. Although <em>encomiendas</em> did not include land, in practice <em>encomenderos</em> took control of Indians’ lands and forced them into low or unpaid labor for a portion of each year. Because of such abuses, the Spanish government attempted reform at various times. In this petition to Francisco Pizarro, governor of Peru, <em>encomendero</em> Pedro del Barco requests inspections of <em>encomiendas</em> before institution of reforms regarding <em>repartimientos</em>. The document bears the extremely rare signature of Pizarro, “El Marques Pizarro.”