And to do this I had many good men, it is true, but also a host that was not good, but was factious, turbulent, sensual and idle.
Yet have I brought these strange lands and naked peoples under the Sovereigns, giving them the lordship of a new world.

What say my accusers?
They say that I have taken great honors and wealth and nobility for myself and my house.

Even they say, O my friend! that from the vast old-and-new and fairest land that I have lately found, I took and kept the pearls that those natives brought me, not rendering them to the Sovereigns.

God judge me, it is not so! Spain becometh vastly rich, and the head of the world, and her Sovereigns, lest they should scant their own nobility, give nobility, place and wage to him who brought them Lordship here.

It is all! And out of my gain am I not pledged to gather an army and set it forth to gain the Sepulchre?
Have I fallen, now and again, in all these years in my Government, into some error?
How should I not do so, being human?
But never hath an error been meant, never have I wished but to deal honestly and mercifully with all, with Spaniards and with Indians, to serve well the Sovereigns and to advance the Cross.