The personal account of the Spanish Dominican Friar Bartolome de las Casas, who came to the Americas in the 16th century. Immediately struck by the inhumane treatment of the native peoples by the explorers and conquerors, Las Casas went on to be a leading opponent of slavery, torture, and genocide of the Native Americans by the Spanish colonists. From 1517 to 1540, Las Casas traveled back & forth between Spain & the Spanish colonies in Latin America numerous times, in his personal account, with chapters covering Cuba, Nicaragua, Hispaniola, Guatemala, Venezuela, Florida, and many other areas conquered by the Spaniards. De las Casas noticed that no matter where he visited, the Spanish were committing the same crimes.