They must be looked upon as the origin in the Indies of slavery, vassalage, and the system of repartimientos.

We have seen that the admiral, after his first victory, sent off four ships with slaves to Spain.

He now took occasion to impose a tribute upon the whole population of Hispaniola.

It was thus arranged.
Every Indian above fourteen years old, who was in the provinces of the mines, or near to these provinces, was to pay every three months a little bellful of gold; all other persons in the island were to pay at the same time an arroba of cotton for each person.

Certain brass or copper tokens were made--different ones for each tribute time--and were given to the Indians when they paid tribute and these tokens, being worn about their necks, were to show who had paid tribute.
REMARKABLE INDIAN SCHEME.
A remarkable proposal was made upon this occasion to the admiral by Guarionex, cacique of the Vega Real, namely, that he would institute a huge farm for the growth of corn and the manufacture of bread, stretching from Isabella to St.Domingo (i.e.from sea to sea) which would suffice to maintain all Castile with bread.