The colonization of the New World took place for a multitude of reasons; one of the central causes was religion. There were many people who desired the conversion of the natives to Christianity from their indigenous beliefs. Two people who rallied for help in the efforts to convert the indigenous peoples were Fray Pedro de Gante and José de Acosta. De Gante’s accounts were written in Mexico in 1552. Acosta’s accounts were written in Peru and then published later on in 1588. Although De Gante and Acosta were from different places at different times, both men discussed similar difficulties in their efforts of conversions. Both Acosta’s and De Gante’s writings they made mention of the Spaniards involvement in the delayed spread of Christianity. In 1552 Fray Pedro De Gante wrote a letter to Charles V detailing the possible dilemmas facing the conversions of native peoples towards Christianity. De Gante’s letter reminded the king how these indigenous people were the king’s subjects and that they …show more content…
Through reminding the majesty about his vassals, De Gante tried to appeal to the majesty’s sense of duty and justice towards his people. De Gante then went on to tell how the Spanish were failing their duty to help the indigenous reach salvation through Christianity. He described how the Spanish overburdened the indigenous with work. This prevented the natives to put time towards salvation through Christianity. Although he had thus far depicted a bleak outcome, he proceeded to state: “What is in the past cannot be remedied, but it is just that a remedy be found for the future.” At this point De Gante told the king that his majesty had the power to change this and that De Gante needed his help to do so. The king had the power his to make changes because he had domain over all Spaniards who came into the new land. De Gante followed up by telling the king why