CACiaUES. 



165 



but, on account of the small utility of the rank of cacique, it is 

 often resigned.*" 



Falkner's account of the caciques ought to be, and is, no 

 doubt, one of the best ; it is as follows : — 



" The cacique has the power of protecting as many as apply 

 to him ; of composing or silencing any difference ; or delivering 

 over the offending party to be punished with death, without 

 being accountable for it. In these respects, his will is the law. 

 He is generally too apt to take bribes, delivering up his vassals, 

 and even his relations, when well paid for it. According 

 to his orders, the Indians encamp, march, or travel from one 

 place to another, to hunt or make war. He frequently sum- 

 mons them to his tent, and harangues them upon their beha- 

 viour; the exigencies of the time; the injuries they have 

 received ; the measures to be taken, &c. In these harangues, 

 he always extols his own prowess and personal merit. When 

 eloquent, he is greatly esteemed ; and when a cacique is not 

 endowed with that accomplishment, he generally has an orator, 

 who supplies his place"" (as in Polynesia). 



" In cases of importance he calls a council of the principal 

 Indians and wizards, with whom he consults about the mea- 

 sures to be taken, to defend himself or attack his enemies. In 

 a general war, when many nations unite against a common 

 enemy, as in the great alliances against the Spaniards, they 

 choose a commander-in-chief, called Apo (or Toqui), from 

 among the oldest or most celebrated caciques ; but this honour 

 though properly elective, has for many years been hereditary 

 in the family of Cangapol. (Written in 1780.) 



^' The caciques have not the power to raise taxes, or to 

 take away any thing from their vassals ; nor can they oblige 

 them to serve in the least employment, without paying them. 

 They are obliged to treat their vassals with great humanity 

 and mildness, and oftentimes to relieve their wants, or they 

 will seek the protection of some other chief. For this reason, 

 many of those who are born caciques refuse to have any vas- 

 sals, as they cost them dear, and yield but little profit. No 

 Indian, or body of Indians, can live without the protection of 



