430 APPENDIX. 



even then, there are no laws to compel them : the service of each tribe is 

 voluntary, and during its own pleasure. 



Each tribe is governed by a cacique or chief) who is elected from amongst 

 themselves. The qualifications necessary for him who would aspire to that 

 honour are, acknowledged superiority of wisdom in council, courage and 

 stratagem in war, and zeal for the tribe which he governs : the power of a 

 cacique is so exceedingly limited, as to leave him merely the name of it. It 

 is his province to assemble his tribe, and explain to them the advantages 

 arising from a war, or the necessity of surprising or annihilating a rival nation ; 

 but it is theirs to ratify or deny it. However, when they do ratify the propo- 

 sition of their cacique on any occasion whatsoever, they adhere to it ever 

 afterwards with a religious veneration ; and it is to them as laws are to other 

 countries. When the chief and a majority of his tribe are for war, they can- 

 not use any compulsory means to force those to take a part in it who might 

 have been against it in council ; each being absolutely master of his own 

 actions, so long as he does not injure the person or property of any individual 

 of the society : but the soothsayers and bards begin their functions ; and by 

 their prophecies and songs so elevate the minds of their martial audience, 

 that few are so cold to fame as to stay behind, when honour and victory await 

 them in the field. The war-cry being given, the Indians relinquish that tur- 

 bulent and independent spirit which animates them in domestic life : they 

 become tractable and subordinate to their captains and caciques, obeying them 

 in every respect with the same punctuality which is expected from regular 

 soldiers to their superiors, during the expedition. Nor can they recover their 

 liberties before they return to their habitations ; when they are dismissed, 

 again assume their arrogance, and have a power to bring to trial their 

 chief, or enquire into his conduct in the time of his absolute authority, and 

 punish him if he were obnoxious to them. — From what has been said of the 

 government of Indian tribes, it is evident that the influence of a chief with 

 his own tribe, or among the chiefs of neighbouring nations, depends in a great 

 measure on his eloquence. The only privilege which they possess in time of 

 peace is that of giving their advice ; and he who can express himself best, 

 and touch the passions of his audience most forcibly, will be heard most 

 attentively, and obeyed with least reluctance. The Indians pay a religious 

 adoration to the sun, as the author of light, life, vegetation, &c. ; and also a 

 kind of secondary veneration to the moon. Whenever they eat or drink, the 

 three first morsels or drops are consecrated to the sun, by throwing them up- 



