62 



the}' cntrubt it to the most deserving of the Ulmenes, 

 or even the officers of the common class, as the talents 

 necessary for this important station are what alone 

 are required. In consequence, Vilumilla^ a man of 

 low origin, commanded the Araucanian army with 

 much honour in the war of 1722 ; and Curignanca, 

 the younger son of an Ulmen of the province of En- 

 col, in that which terminated in 1773. 



On accepting his appointment, the new general 

 assumes the title of Toqui, and the stone hatchet in 

 token of supreme command, at which time the native 

 Toquis lay aside tlieirs, it not being lawful for them 

 to carry them during the government of this dictator. 

 They likewise, sacrificing private ambition to the 

 public good, take the oaths of obedience and fealty 

 to him, together with the other Ulmenes. Even the 

 people, who in peace shew themselves repugnant to 

 all subordination, are then prompt to obey, and sub- 

 missi^'e to the will of their military sovereign. He 

 cannot, however, put an}'^ one to death \\ ithout the 

 consent of the principal officers of his army, but as 

 these are of his own appointment, his orders may be 

 considered as absolute. 



From tlie arrival of the Spaniards in the country 

 to the present time, it is observable that all the 

 Toquis who have been appointed in time of war 

 were natives of the provinces of Arauco, of Tucapel, 

 of Encol, or of Puren. Whether this partiality is 

 owing to some superstitious notion, or rather to some 

 ancient law or agreement, I am unable to determine ; 

 it appears, however, to be repugnant to the princi- 

 ples of sound policy, as it is very rare for the com- 



