CHAP. XXII. AMERICAN MINES. 147 



either cut off or removed from any more influence 

 over them. 



The natives were scattered tribes speaking dif- 

 ferent dialects, at spots very distant from and 

 little known to each other, and their characters, 

 names, and circumstances were alike unknown 

 among the rude warriors who had obtained au- 

 thority over them. 



The regulations dictated by the distant Euro- 

 pean government whose authority the adventurers 

 acknowledged, but whose orders they evaded or 

 disobeyed, were of a paternal character. They 

 were formed upon the idea that these untutored 

 Indians were in a state of pupilage to be guarded, 

 preserved, and taught like children, but without 

 making any provision for a different treatment 

 when they should arrive at a more mature condi- 

 tion. Amongst these tribes there thus grew up, 

 or perhaps was only continued, a tendency to clan- 

 ship, in the progress of which a chief, either from 

 some hereditary claims or from a selection amongst 

 themselves, was in authority over each tribe, and 

 exercised the authority with that degree of firm- 

 ness or of rigour which has been generally re- 

 marked in the rulers of uncultivated people. 



This nomination of chiefs to each tribe was, 

 however, favourable to the views of the viceroys, 

 who were appointed by Spain, and to the exercise 

 of power by the subordinate governors of the 

 several provinces. It was desirable to raise some 



