61 



which are inhabited by the Pnelches.* Thes* 

 mountaineers, who were formerly a distinct na- 

 tion 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, which is aristocratic as that 

 of all other barbarous nations has been. This 

 species of republic consists of three orders of 

 nobility, each subordinate to the other, the 

 Toqiiis, the Apo- Ulmenes, and the Ulmenes, all 

 of whom have their respective vassals. Th 

 Toquis, who may be styled tetrarchs, are four in 

 number, and preside over the uthal-mapus. The 

 appellation of Toqui is derived from the verb 

 toquin, which signifies to judge or command ; 

 they are independent of each other, but confede- 



* In the second and third articles of the treaty of Lonquil- 

 mo, made in the year 1 784, the limits of each Uthalmapu are 

 expressly defined, and its districts marked out. It declares 

 to be appertaining to that of tlie Cordilleras, the Huillichci 

 of Changolo, those of Gayolto and Ilucachoroy to the south, 

 the Puelches and Indian Pampas to the north, from Malalque 

 and the frontiers of Mendbza to the Mamilmapu iu the Pampas 

 of Buenos Ayres, the whole forming a corporate body with the 

 Puelches and Pehuenches of Malsje, Chilian, and Antuco. So 

 that at present, in case of aa infraction of the treaty, it mat 

 easily be known what Uthalmapu is to muke satisfaction. 



