56 



These mountaineers, who were formerly a distinct 

 nation in alliance with the Araucanians, are now 

 united under their government and have the same 

 magistrates. 



This division, which discovers a certain degree 

 of refinement in their political administration, is of a 

 date anterior to the arrival of the Spaniards, and 

 serves as a basis for the civil government of the 

 Araucanians, Avhich is aristocratic as that of all other 

 barbarous nations has been. This species of repub- 

 lic consists of three orders of nobility, each subor- 

 dinate to the other, the Toquis^ the Apo-Ulmenes, 

 and the Ulmenes^ all of whom have their respective 

 vassals. The Toquis who may be styled tetrarchs, 

 are four in number, and preside over the uthal-ma- 

 pus. The appellation of Toqui is derived from the 

 verb toquin, which signifies to judge or command ; 

 they are indépendant of each other, but confederat- 

 ed for the public welfare. The Apo-Ulmenes, or 

 Arch- Ulmenes govern the provinces under their res- 

 pective Toquis. The Ulmenes, who are the pre- 

 lects of the regues^ or counties, are dependant upon 

 the Apo-Ulmenes. This dépendance, however, is 

 confined almost entirely to military affairs. Al- 

 though the Ulmenes are the lowest in the scale of 



])CMtaining to that of the Cordilleras, the Huilliches of Changóle, 

 thoseof Gayolto and Rucachoroy to the south, the Puelches ajid 

 Indian Pampas to the north, from Maialque and the frontiers of 

 Mendoza to the Maniilniapu in the Pan>])ab of Bucikjs Ayres, the 

 v.'hole forming a corporate body with the Puelches and Pehuenches 

 of Maule, Chillan and Antuco. So that at present, in cuse of an 

 infraction of the treaty, it may easily be known what Uthalmapu is 

 to make satisfaction. 



