How did Bartolome de Las Casas characterize the native population? How do you think they would have responded to this description?

Las Casas characterized indigenous people as human beings in a setting where they were seen as objects of material wealth.

Las Casas was passionately against slavery because he saw its targets as human beings.  Unlike many of his contemporaries, who supported the institution of slavery, he did not see the indigenous population as solely objects of material wealth.  Rather, when he participated in the colonization of Cuba, he saw victims of slavery as human beings: "I saw here cruelty on a scale no living being has ever seen or expects to see."  When Las Casas writes of cruelty, he displays empathy with those who have suffered injustice.  Las Casas saw indigenous people as ends in and of themselves, and not as a means to an end:  “The reason why the Christians have killed and destroyed such an infinite number of souls is that they have been moved by their wish for gold and their desire to enrich themselves in a very short time.”

Las Casas saw the "wish for gold" and the coveting of material profit as driving forces behind slavery. In his writing, Las Casas sought to create a  compassionate portrait of indigenous people.  He characterized them in traditional Christian terms of charity, good will, and obedience:  "And of all the infinite universe of humanity, these people are the most guileless, the most devoid of wickedness and duplicity, the most obedient and faithful to their native masters and to the Spanish Christians whom they serve." Las Casas suggested that those who were targeted as slaves were "most devoid of rancors, hatreds, or desire for vengeance of any people in the world."  In his writing and advocacy, Las Casas saw indigenous people as more than just tools for profit.  His characterizations reflected depth, understanding, and empathy.

Once convinced of slavery's immorality, Las Casas spent the bulk of his time in Spain trying to eradicate the institution.  Indigenous people would have responded favorably to Las Casas and his ideas.  His understanding towards those victimized by slavery was radical, reflective in the resistance that fellow Spaniards displayed towards him.  His actions underscored the courage of his convictions.  Las Casas himself was the owner of slaves and possessed an encomienda in Cuba.  However, when he realized that slavery was antithetical to Christian ideals, Las Casas gave up his holdings and freed his slaves.  It is fair to say that those who were freed would have viewed Las Casas as different than other Spaniards. They would have seen him as honorable and decent, and much different than others who participated in the slave trade.