... peoples of the Southwest regions of America have been recognised since 1540, when the Spanish 'discovered' this area, as being prolific and masterful exponents of textile weaving. It was not until the latter stages of the sixteenth century that evidence and records firmly suggest that trade was in operation between the Spanish arrivals and the American natives, predominantly constituted by the Navajo and the Hopi. Some of the early expeditions undertaken by the Spanish often resulted in the use of force to acquire native garments, a commodity that served to represent as a tribute or a form of taxation. Imposed as a payment to the Spanish crown, in theory for services rendered to the natives or 'pueblos'. In 1601 the 2Valverde interrogation into conditions in New Mexico states that, "...every year armed soldiers and even the governor go in person from house to house to collect a blanket from each ...

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