Lives of Celebrated American Indians (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1855. Excerpt: ... CAUPOLICAN. Caupolican, a chief of the Araucanians, the aboriginal inhabitants of Chili, is no less distinguished for his martial deeds than for the renown which the Castilian muse has conferred upon his name. The genius of Ercilla, as well as that of Lope de Vega, has been exercised in celebrating his patriotism, and the military exploits by which the Spanish invaders were taught to respect and fear the prowess of the native Americans. The Araucanians were and are still, the most brave, resolute and warlike of all the South American Indian tribes. The Spanish invaders, who served in the wars in the Netherlands, and afterwards fought with the natives of Chili, named this country the "Araucanian Flanders," or the Invincible State. It well deserved the name: the intrepid and persevering natives nave maintained their independence to the present day, and the wars which they have successively carried on against the Spaniards, have been signalized by deeds of valor and skill, which would have conferred honor upon the most martial nation in the old world. It is in the year 1553, when the territory of the Araucanians was invaded by Valdivia, that we find the first mention of Caupolican. The Spaniards had penetrated far into Chili, and although several times defeate by the natives, they built a number of fortresses, and being assisted by reinforcements, seemed to have secured a firm footing in the country. Lincoyan, the Araucanian toqui, or general, had, by his misconduct, occasioned some disasters, and the affairs of the war began to wear a threatening aspect. In this emergency, an old chief, named Colocolo, quitting the retirement into which he had voluntarily withdrawn himself, traversed the country on a patriotic mission, to arouse anew the courage of the peo...