Art As Propaganda (February 1963 | Volume: 14, Issue: 2)

Art As Propaganda

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February 1963 | Volume 14, Issue 2


The Black Legend

The Spaniards [wrote Las Casas of the scene above] were no sooner arriv’d in the Isle of Cuba , but this Cacyque [chief] who knew ’em too well, … resolv’d to defend himself … but he unfortunately fell into their Hands [and] was burn’d alive. While he was in the midst of the Flames, tied to a Stake, a certain Franciscan Frier of great Piety and Vertue, took upon him to speak to him of God and our Religion … [The Cacyque ] ask’d the Frier whether the Gate of Heaven was open to the spaniards; and being answer’d that of ’em as were good men might hope for entrance there: The Cacyque , without any father deliberation, told him, he had no mind to go to Heaven, for fear of meeting with such cruel and wicked Company as they were; but would much rather go to Hell…

MEXICO : [The Spaniards] afterwards went to Mexico , where King Monteçuma accompanied with his Nobles receiv’d ’em … being carried upon a Golden Frame, or Chair of State, and conducted ’em to the Palace that was provided for ’em. But the same day they seiz’d this unfortunate Prince …

All the Nobility of the City was engag’d in representing Plays and Shows, and in dancing round the place where their King was imprison’d, to allay the Troubles of his Mind during his Captivity; in these Plays they expos’d to view all their Riches and Magnificence. … there were about the Palace two thousand young Men that were the very flower of the whole Kingdom, and the Pride and Glory of the Court of King Monteçuma: While they were thus engag’d, the Commander of the Spaniards with one of his Troops came to fall upon ’em. … Accordingly they fell upon ’em, pronouncing the word St. James , which was the Signal for massacring these poor naked Indians … and not so much as one of ’em escap’d.

HISPANIOLA : They erected a small Scaffold, supported with Forks and Poles, uj)on which to execute their Chiefs, and those of the most considerable quality among ’em. When they had laid ’em at length upon this Scaffold, they kindled a gentle Fire, to make ’em feel themselves die gradually, till the poor Wretches after the most excjuisite Pain and Anguish, attended with horrible Screeches and Outcries, at length expir’d. I one day saw four or five Persons of the highest Rank in this Island burn’d after this manner.

HISPANIOLA : They cut off the Hands of those they sav’d alive, and sent ’em away in that miserable