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, courdge 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 scothsayers 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- 
