64 



from that family which is most pleasing to them. 

 But before he is installed^ he must be presented 

 to the Toqui of their Uthalmapu, >vho giver 

 notice of his election^ in order that the new chief 

 may be acknowledged and respected by all in 

 that quality. 



The subjects are notj as under the feudal go- 

 Ternment, liable to a levy, or to any kind of per- 

 sonal service, except in time of war. Neither 

 are they obliged to pay any contributions to 

 their chiefs, who must subsist themselves by 

 means of their own property. They respect 

 them, however, as their superiors, or rather a 

 the first among their equals ; they also attend to 

 their decisions, and escort them whenever they 

 go out of the state. These chiefs, elated with 

 their authority, would gladly extend its limits, 

 and govern as absolute masters ; but the people, 

 who cannot endure despotism, oppose their pre- 

 tensions, and compel them to keep within the 

 liounds prescribed by their customs. 



The civil laws of a society whose manners ar 

 iimple, and interests but little complicated, 

 cannot be very numerous. The Araucauians 

 have but a few ; these, however, would be suf- 

 iGcient for tlieir state of life, if they were more 

 respected and less arbitrary. Their system of 

 criminal jurisprudence, in a particular manner, 

 is very imperfect. The offences that arc deemed 

 deserving of capital punishment are, treachery. 



