The views expressed in the passage are best seen as evidence for which of the following in the society of Spanish South America?

(A) The formal adoption of debt slavery as a means to clear debts (B) The absence of corruption among elites (C) The king’s lack of interest in the welfare of Native American subjects (D) The imposition of social stratification based on origin of birthExplanation: The passage discusses the treatment of aboriginal natives in South America by the Spanish in their silver mines. Recall that in the Spanish colonies, a caste system existed according to race and birthplace, which is closest to (D). Eliminate (B), as it is a reversal of what is stated in the passage. Eliminate (C) because the letter is written to the king, who is ostensibly worried about his subjects in the last sentence. Eliminate (A) because it is less directly supported in the passage than (D).