Politica Indiana

2 volumes: xvii+[14]+438+21; [1]+522+[1-132] including index. Folio (14 1/2" x 10") issued in beige with brown lettering to spine and front covers. Limited to 1000 copies. Reprint of the 1648 edition.

Juan de Solorzano Pereira studied jurisprudence in Salmanca and in 1609 was appointed judge in the Audiencia of Lima, a position that he held until 1627. He wrote a number of books on legal matters, but his most important was De Indianorum jure disputatione (Madrid, 1629). He subsequently adapted and translated this work into Spanish, giving it the new title Politica Indiana. The first book of the Politica Indiana describes the discovery of the Indies and discusses the legality of the conquest and of Spanish occupation. Solorzano wrote against the "black legend", although he denounced excesses committed by Spaniard against the Indians. In the remainder of the Politica, Solorzano addressed various themes such as Indian freedom, the "encomiendas," ecclesiastical matters, the Royal Partronate, secular government and the economy of the Indies. The Politica systematizes law and politics in colonial America.

Condition:

Volume one damp stained at heel with some rippling to front heel corner, both volumes soiled else a good to very good set.