Final answer:
Las Casas is being sarcastic and ironic in his statement, highlighting the hypocrisy of the situation where the Indians were mistreated despite the promise of freedom, good treatment, and Christianity.
Step-by-step explanation:
In his writings, Las Casas describes the ill treatment of Indians by the Spanish and Portuguese in the Iberian Colonies. However, he also writes, "And this was freedom, the good treatment and the Christianity the Indians receive." Here, Las Casas is being sarcastic and ironic, highlighting the hypocrisy of the situation.
Las Casas was a reformer who advocated for the fair treatment of the natives, but despite his efforts, abuse and mistreatment continued. His statement reflects his frustration and disappointment in the lack of true freedom and good treatment that the Indians were receiving under the guise of Christianity.
By using this phrase, Las Casas is critiquing the actions of the colonizers who claimed to bring civilization and Christianity to the Indians but instead subjected them to violence and oppression.