Carmelite friar Antonio Vazquez de Espinoza’s documents mention the flourish of new animals and plants as well as describing the native people’s role and adjustment as a result of the transfer. L. F. Tollenare, a french cotton merchant documents the working conditions in a Brazilian sugar plantation 200 years later in 1818. Antonio’s documents reveal that the indians are owned by Great Lords or the Church and their labours are supposedly voluntary; “they bring themselves to enter the Spaniard’s service ( Espinoza 19)”.
However, looking at his report on the mexican textile factory, the indians are treated immorally; “… and the poor fellow never gets out that prison until he dies (Espinoza 92)”. The corruption of the mill owners is only an empty criticism because the priest is appointed to observe and report only. Forced labour is further implicated in Tollenare’s account, still happening 200 years later. He mentions,“I am not speaking of the slaves, who are nothing but cattle… slaves whom he[sugar mill owner] mistreats (93)”.
Supportive of the mita or not, both authors reveal that the indians have obligations but no rights. There is much ambiguity in this text thus a blur between enchained and voluntary labour exists. Because Antonio is in a position of power, appointed from the Church, his relationship with the mill and mine owners is complacent. He never enters the mines and reports from above groud only. Antonio and the Church’s mission suggested in writings of Mexico City is to evangelise and convert the natives, believing this would minimise the death toll and control more of them.
The Term Paper on Child Labour 9
Children are the flowers of heaven. They are the most beautiful and purest creation of God. They are innocent both inwardly and outwardly. No doubt, they are the beauty of this world. Early in the morning when the children put on different kinds of clothes and begin to go to schools for the sake of knowledge, we feel a specific kind of joy through their innocence. Introduction But there are ...
However, his reports on the Potosi mine denotes the Church’s interest and primary purpose for being there which is the silver, a wealthy commodity. The owners of these institutions are those controlling the working conditions of the Indians. As a french merchant and not reporting to anyone, Tollenare’s writing is subjective. He is supportive of the slave regime and he believes that these “black slaves” have better working conditions than most french peasants. According to him, the masters have no real engagement in the sugar plantations and have the right of total control, even of the women.
Being on top of the social hierarchy, there is no one to challenge the masters; “The sugar mill owner, armed with a whip.. is a king who has only animals about him (93)”. The power is obtained through “unjust and unlawful means (Antonio 93)”. The influence of Spanish and Portuguese authority during the Columbian exchange in Latin America resulted in exploitation of the native American and African blacks. The corruption of these owners since 1620 remains after 200 years, evident in Tollenare’s documents.
