We have seen with what authority Bobadilia had been entrusted; and Ovando had even greater advantages.
The instructions he received showed that the needs of the new colonies were understood by Ferdinand and Isabella, if by no one else.

Ovando was not merely appointed Governor of Espanola but of the whole of the new territory discovered in the west, his seat of government being San Domingo.

He was given the necessary free hand in the matters of punishment, confiscation, and allotment of lands.

He was to revoke the orders which had been made by Bobadilla reducing the proportion of gold payable to the Crown, and was empowered to take over one-third of the.
gold that was stored on the island, and one-half of what might be found in the future.

The Crown was to have a monopoly of all trade, and ordinary supplies were only to be procured through the Crown agent.
On the other hand, the natives were to be released from slavery, and although forced to work in the mines, were to be paid for their labour -- a distinction which in the working out did not produce much difference.
A body of Franciscan monks accompanied Ovando for the purpose of tackling the religious question with the necessary energy; and every regulation that the kind heart of Isabella could think of was made for the happiness and contentment of the Indians.
Unhappily the real mischief had already been done.