Official Section: Inaugural Address by Rev. Fr. Domingo Angulo

Abstract

The author praises the figure of Friar Bartolomé de las Casas as the "father of the Indians" and defender of the truth against the Council of the Indies. Angulo conducts a critical review of the classic chroniclers: he defends Inca Garcilaso de la Vega from severe criticism, although admitting his bias; analyzes Francisco de Jerez's Verdadera relación as a first-hand testimony; praises Gómara's style despite the prohibitions he suffered; and values the works of Cieza de León, Agustín de Zárate, Pedro Pizarro and Lizárraga. He concludes by urging the use of these sources to build the true national history.