The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 25, July 1921 - April, 1922 Page: 243
306 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
The Indian Policy of the Republic of Texas
CHAPTER II
SURVEY OF INDIAN POLICY PRIOR TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE
REPUBLIC
In order to understand the Indian policy of the Republic of
Texas, it is necessary not only to have a clear idea of the location,
condition and general character of the Indian tribes within its
boundaries, but also to know something concerning the policy
which had been pursued toward the Indians before the Republic
came into existence. It does not seem expedient to go into min-
ute detail but merely to sketch briefly the policies of the several
governments under which Texas existed before setting up house-
keeping for itself, and to show the results on the Indians of the
application of these policies. In treating the Indian affairs un-
der the Revolutionary Government it has seemed wise to go into
greater detail, because the acts of this government had a more
direct effect on the policy adopted by the Republic.
I. The Spanish Indian Policy
Spain claimed the larger portion of the two Americas, but her
population was small and little of it could be spared to people the
New World. In order to meet this emergency, she decided to
Christianize and civilize the natives and use them in the develop-
ment of the frontier. In order to accomplish this, the encomienda
system was established. The savage was obliged to be controlled
if he was going to be made into a useful citizen of Spain, and the
Spanish colonizers provided the desired masters. The Indians
were distributed among them, to be held in trust or encomienda.
It was the duty of the guardian to insure the protection, the con-
version, and the civilization of the natives; in return he was given
the right to exploit them. The encomendero or trustee was re-
quired to. support friars whose duty it was to instruct the Indians
in the Christian religion and in the arts of civilization. Great
monasteries grew up in the districts conquered by the Spanish
colonizers. However, the encomienda system was so abused that
it resulted in the practical slavery of the natives, who, were con-
gregated in the pueblos or villages under the strict supervision of
the secular landholders. There were about nine thousand Indian243
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 25, July 1921 - April, 1922, periodical, 1922; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101082/m1/249/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.