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ticable. Many counsels were held to devise the 

 most suitable means of carrying this scheme into 

 execution, which the wishes of the governor 

 made him consider as very easy. The Arauca- 

 nians were informed of all these proceedings by 

 their spies, and apprehensive of the danger to 

 which such an innovation might expose their 

 liberties, they met secretly to deliberate upon 

 the measures they should take to elude the de- 

 signs of their neighbours without having re- 

 course to arms, when the following resolutions 

 were adopted by the national council : In the 

 first place, to delay -as long as possible the 

 business, by equivocal replies and delusive pro- 

 mises. Secondly, When pressed to commence 

 building, to require from the Spaniards tools and 

 other necessary aid. Thirdly, To have recourse 

 to arras whenever they found themselves obliged 

 to begin the work, but to conduct it in such a 

 manner, that only the provinces that were com- 

 pelled to build should declare war, the others re- 

 maining neutral in order to be able to mediate a 

 peace. Fourthly, To come to a general rupture 

 whenever they found that the mediation of the 

 latter would not be accepted. Fifthly, To allow 

 the missionaries to depart without hijury, as they 

 had nothing to a<!cuse them with but of being 

 Spaniards. Sixthly, To make choice imme- 

 diately of a Toqui, who should have in charge 

 to attend to the execution of the above-mentioned 



