For the increase of the white population and the development of
commerce and agriculture, liberal measures, according to the ideas of
the age, were dictated as early as February, 1511, when the same
commercial and political franchises were granted to San Juan as to la
Espanola.
On July 25th the price of salt, the sale of which was a royal
monopoly, was reduced by one-half, and in October of the same year the
following rights and privileges were decreed by the king and published
by the crown officers in Seville:
"1st. Any one may take provisions and merchandise to San Juan, which
is now being settled, and reside there with the same freedom as in la
Espanola.
"2d. Any Spaniard may freely go to the Indies--that is, to la
Espanola and to San Juan--by simply presenting himself to the
officials in Seville, _without giving any further information_ (about
himself).
"3d. Any Spaniard may take to the Indies what arms he wishes,
notwithstanding the prohibition.
"4th. His Highness abolishes the contribution by the owners of one
'castellano' for every Indian, they possess.
"5th. Those to whom the Admiral grants permission to bring Indians
(from other islands) and who used to pay the fifth of their value (to
the royal treasurer) shall be allowed to bring them free.
"6th. Indians once given to any person shall never be taken from him,
except for delinquencies, punishable by forfeiture of property.
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