Ch.IX. south AMERICA. 279 



and the Capitancs de Paz were fupprefied. Thefe were 

 ' Spaniards refiding in the villages of the converted In- 

 ■ dians, and by their exadions had been the principal 

 caufe of the revolt. 



Besides the congrefTes held with thefe Indians, for 

 concluding a treaty of peace, others are held on the 

 arrival of a new prefident, and the fame ceremonies 

 obferved in both ; fo that an account of the one will be 

 fufficient to give a juft idea of the other. 



On the holding a congrefs, the prefident fends 

 notice to the frontier Indians of the day and place, 

 whither he repairs v/ith the abovementioned perfons 

 and on the part of the Indians, the heads of their fe- 

 veral communities ; and both, for the greater fplendor 

 of the interview, are accompanied by an efcort con- 

 filling of a certain number previoufly agreed on. The 

 prefident and his company lodge in tents, and the 

 Indians incamp at a fmall diflance. The elders or 

 chiefs of the neighbouring nations pay the firft vifit to 

 the prefident, who receives them very coiirteoufiy, 

 drinks their healths in wine, and himfelf gives them 

 the glafs to do the like. This politenefs, with which 

 they are highly pieafed, is fucceeded by a prcfent of 

 knifes, fciffars, and different forts of toys, on which 

 they place the greateft value. The treaty of peace is 

 then brought on the carpet, and the manner of obferv- 

 ing the feveral articles is fettled : after which they re- 

 turn to their camp, and the prefident returns the vifit, 

 carrying vv^ith him a quantity of wine fufficient for a 

 moderate regale. 



Now all the chiefs of the other communities, who 

 were not prefent at the firft vifit, go in a body to pay 

 their refpedls to the prefident. At the rifing of the 

 congrefs, the prefident makes each a fmall prefent of 

 wine, which the Indians liberally return in calves, ox- 

 en, horfcs, and fowls. After thefe reciprocal tokens of 

 frtendfhip, both parties return to their refpedive habi- 

 tations. 



" ' T 4 In 



