tribes, or communities, independent of each other, 

 but subject to certain chiefs, called Ulmenes. I'hese 

 tribes, beginnih,:^ at the north and proceeding to the 

 south, were called Copiapins, Coquimbancs, Quil- 

 lotanes, Mapochinians, Promaucians, Cures, Cau- 

 ques, Pencones, Araucanians, Cunches, Chilotes, 

 Chiquilanians, Pehuenches, Puelches and liuil- 

 liches. 



The Inca Yupanqui, who reigned in Peru about 

 the year 145G, being informed of the natural ad- 

 vantages possessed by Chili, resolved to attempt the 

 conquest of it. With this view he marched with a 

 powerful army to the frontiers of that kingdom; but, 

 either through apprehension of his personal safety,' 

 or with the view of being in a more favourable situ- 

 ation to furnish the means of effecting his designs, 

 he established himself with his court in the neigh- 

 bouring province of Atracama, and entrusted the 

 command of the expedition to Sinchiruca, a prince 

 of the blood royal. 



Preceded, according to the specious custom of 

 the Peruvians, by several ambassadors, and follow- 

 ed by a large body of troops, this general subjected 

 to the Peruvian government, more by persuasion 

 than by force, the Copiapins, Coquimbanes, Quil- 

 lotanes and Mapochinians. After this, having 

 passed the river Rapel, he proceeded to attack the 

 Promaucians, who could not be induced by the per- 

 suasions of the ambassadors to submit themselves. 

 This nation, wliose name signifies the free dancers, 

 from their being much attached to that diversion, 



Vol. II. B 



