Natural and Moral History of the Indies

much interaction and very intimate association with the Indians themselves, which most of those who have written about the Indies lacked, either from not knowing their language or from not caring to know their antiquities; thus, they were content to relate some of their superficial affairs. Desiring, therefore, to have more special knowledge of their affairs, I made efforts with men who were practiced and very well-versed in such matters, and from their copious conversations and reports, I was able to extract what I judged sufficient to give notice of the customs and deeds of these peoples. And regarding the natural state of those lands, and their properties, with the experience of many years and the diligence of inquiring, discussing, and conferring with wise and expert persons, it also seems to me that some observations occurred to me that could serve and benefit other better minds to seek the truth, or to go further, if what they found here seemed good to them. Thus, although the new world is no longer new but old, according to much that has been said and written about it, it still seems to me that in some way this History may be considered new, for it is jointly History and in part Philosophy Natural Science, and for being not only of the works of nature, but also of those of free will, which are the deeds and customs of men. For this reason, it seemed appropriate to give it the name of Natural and Moral History of the Indies