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But, whereas formerly occasional, gradually merging into regular, meetings of the chiefs were sufficient, constant daily attendance at the 'teepan' became required, even to such an extent that a permanent residence of the head-chief there resulted from it and was one of the duties of the office. Of these there were sometimes several within the tribal area.
It appears as if the "teepan" had not been constructed previous to the middle of the 14th century, the meetings of the tribe being previously called together by priests, and probably in the open space around the main house of worship. VII, cap. II, cap. XVIII, pp. 156,159. Cap. Acosta first mentions "unos palacios, aunque harto pobres." XII, cap.
"In the course of time, as the population further increased, segmentation occurred within the four original 'quarters, new 'calpulli' being formed." This building was the 'teepan' called, even by Torquemada, 'house of the community'; it was, therefore, since the council of chiefs was the highest authority in the government, the 'council house' proper.
The crops raised on such went exclusively to the requirements of the household at the 'teepan, comprising the head-chief and his family with the assistants. III, cap. Both of these kinds were often comprised in one, and it is even not improbable that the first one may have been but a variety of the general tribute-lands devoted to the benefit of the conquering confederates.
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