On receiving the reply from the _junta_, the king’s ministers requested that body to draw up a set of laws in conformity with the principles which they had affirmed; but this they declined to do. Meanwhile the king’s conscience seems to have become uneasy in the matter, and he was willing that the question should be further considered. He asked an opinion in writing from his two preachers; and as this coincided with that of the _junta_, it was adopted by the king, and nothing remained but to carry it into execution. A set of laws was accordingly drawn up by certain members of the council, who took as their basis that the system of _encomiendas_ was to be retained. The laws were to the following effect:--“The Indians were first to be brought amongst the Spaniards; all gentle means being used towards the _caciques_, to persuade them to come willingly. Then, for every fifty Indians four _bohios_ (large huts) should be made by their masters. The _bohios_ were to be thirty feet in length by fifteen in breadth. Three thousand _montones_ (the hillocks which were used to preserve the plants from too much moisture) of _yuca_, of which they made the _cassava_ bread, two thousand _montones_ of _yams_, with a certain space for growing _pimento_, and a certain number of fowls, were to be assigned for the living of these fifty Indians.” Every Spaniard having an _encomienda_ of Indians, was to construct some sort of chapel in which prayers were to be read morning and evening, and a church was to be erected for the general neighbourhood. It was enacted that the Indians were to work at the mines for five months at a time, when they were to have forty days in which to till their own land, when they were to return to the mines. Certain regulations were made concerning their food, which Las Casas condemns in entirety. The employment of the Indians in the mines was not only encouraged but insisted upon. One _peso_ of gold was to be given to each Indian annually, with which to provide his clothes. Two visitors were to be appointed for each Spanish settlement; but as these were permitted to have _encomiendas_, it was scarcely to be expected that their proceedings should be impartial. The _caciques_ were to have not more than six Indians set apart for their service, and the _cacique_ and his attendants were to go to whatsoever Spaniard had the greatest number of the same tribe allotted to him. They were to be employed in light and easy services. Such is a brief summary of the laws promulgated at Burgos, in December 1512, and which have ever since been called the Laws of Burgos.