Ambrosio O’Higgins and the Hispano–Mapuche ‘Parlamentos’, 1771-1803: indigenous policy, administrative writing and culturallinguistic mediation in the bourbon era in chile

Abstract

Post-jesuit spanish-chilean indigenous policy was marked by the pragmatism of the new authorities promoted by the bourbon regime, among which the figure of Irish immigrant Ambrosio O’Higgins standsout. O’Higgins’ actions at the mapuche frontier are to be understood as an expression of his rationalism and pragmatism, which resulted in a certain degree of recognition of the modes of existence of insubordinatemapuches, as a means of attaining the ultimate goal of peaceful coexistence -without which the frontier trade and prosperity would not have been possible. The intense negotiation and mediation activity duringthe 1771-1803 O’Higgins mandate is reflected in the Hispano-indigenous frontier parlamentos carried out during that period. This article approaches the period in question by analyzing the particularities ofHispano-Mapuche relations and indigenous policy from O’Higgins’ perspective, and his influence on both the parlamentos as well as the team of mediators that took part in them.