73 



lian language a pertinent harangue upon the causea 

 that produced the war, and the most eligible means 

 of preserving harmony between the two nations. He 

 then proceeds with much eloquence and energy to 

 point out the losses and miseries occasioned by war, 

 and the advantages that are derived from peace, to 

 which he exhorts the chiefs of either party in a pa- 

 thetic peroration. An interpreter then explains the 

 precise meaning of all that the Araucanian has said. 

 The Spanish president replies in another speech 

 adapted to the subject, which is interpreted in the 

 same manner. The articles of the treaty are then 

 agreed upon, and are ratified by a sacrifice of seve- 

 ral Chilihueques, or Chilian camels, which the 

 Araucanians immolate for the happy continuance of 

 the peace. After this the president dines at the 

 same table with the Toqui and the principal Ulme- 

 nes, to whom he makes the customary presents in 

 tlie name of his sovereign.*" 



* In those countries the Araucanians are the most usual, most 

 intrepid and most irreconcilable enemies of Spain. They are 

 the only people of the new world who have ventHredto fight with 

 the Europeans in the open field, and who employ the sling in order 

 to hurl death at a distance upon their enemies. They have even 

 the intrepidity to attack the best fortified posts. As these Americ,.. 

 cans are trot embarrassed in making war, they are not apprehen- 

 sive of its duration, and hold it as a principle never to sue for 

 peace, the fii-st overtures for Avhich are always made by the Span- 

 iai'ds. When these are favourably received, a conference is held. 

 The governor of Chili and the Indian general, accompanied hf 

 the most distinguished officers of either party regulate amidst the 

 festivity of the table the terms of the agreement. The frontier 

 was formerly the theatre of these assemblies ; but the two last 

 were held in the capital of the colony. The savages have even 



Vol. II. K 



