Thus the encomendero was given little economic interest in preserving the lives and welfare of his workmen.
[Footnote 9: R.H.Major, _Select Letters of Columbus_, 2d.ed., 1890, p.
88.] In the first phase of the system the Indians were secured in the right of dwelling in their own villages under their own chiefs.

But the encomenderos complained that the aloofness of the natives hampered the work of conversion and asked that a fuller and more intimate control be authorized.
This was promptly granted and as promptly abused.

Such limitations as the law still imposed upon encomendero power were made of no effect by the lack of machinery for enforcement.

The relationship in short, which the law declared to be one of guardian and ward, became harsher than if it had been that of master and slave.

Most of the island natives were submissive in disposition and weak in physique, and they were terribly driven at their work in the fields, on the roads, and at the mines.