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[tors of the battle, saw themselves compelled to sustain the vigorous attack of tlie enemy, aud advancing with their horse, began a furious battle, Avhich continued with great loss upon either side till night separated the combatants- Although the Promaucians had been very roughly handled, they lost not courage, but encamped in the sight of their enemy, determined to renew the attack the next morning. The Spaniards, however, though by the custom of Europe the_y considered themselves as victors, having kept possession of the field, were very differently inclined. Having been accustomed to subdue immense provinces with little or no resistance, they became disgusted willi an enterprise which could not be effected without great fatigue, and the loss of much blood, since in its prosecution they must contend with a bold and independent nation, by whom they were not believed to be immortal.
6. Expedition abandoned, and whp. — Thus all, by common consent, resolved to abandon this expedition ; but they Avere of various opinions respecting their retreat, some being desirous of returning to Peru, while others wished to form a settlement in the n. provinces, where they had been received Avith such hospitality. The first opinion was supported by Almagro, Avhose mind began to be impressed by the suggestions contained in the letters of his friends. Accordingly Ave find him returning Avith his army to Peru in 1538: he took possession of the ancient capital of that empire ; and after several ineffectual jiegociations, fought a battle with the brother of Pizarro, by Avhom he Avas taken, tried, and beheaded as a disturber of the public peace. His army having dispersed at their defeat, afterAvards reassembled under the title ofthe soldiers of Chile, and e.xecuted ncAv disturbances in Peru, already sufficiently agitated. Such was the fate of the first expedition against Chile, undertaken by the best body of European troops that had as yet been collected in those parts. The thirst of riches Avas the moving spring ofthe expedition, and the disappointment of their hopes of obtaining them, the cause of its failure. Francis Pizarro, having by the deatli of his rival obtained the absolute command ofthe Spanish possessions in S. America, lost not sight of the conquest of Chile, which he conceived might, in any event, prove an important acquisition to him. Among the adv’enturers avIio hatl come to Peru, were two officers commissioned by the court of Spain, under the titles of Governors, to attempt this expedition. To the first, called Pedro Sanchez de FIoz, Avas committed the conquest of the country as far as tlic river Maule ; and to the other, Carmargo, the remainder
to the Archipelago of Chiloe. Pizarro, jealous of these men, under frivolous pretexts, refused to confirm the royal nomination, and appointed to this expeditioi! his quarter-master, Pedro de Valdivia, a prudent and active officer, who Inid gaiticd experience in the Italian Avar, and wiiat was still a greater recommendation, Avas attached to his party ; directing him to take De Hoz with him, Avho Avas probably more (o be feared than his colleague, and to ailoAv him every advantage in the partidon of the lands.
7. Valdivia marches against Chile. — This officer having determined to cstabiisli a pennanent settlement in the country, set out on his march in the year 1540, Avith 200 Spaniards, and a numerous body of Peruvian auxiliaries, accompanied by some monks, several Avomen, and a great number of European quadrupeds, Avith CAmry tiling requisite for a new colony. He pursued the same route as Almagro ; but, instructed by the misfortunes of his predecessor, he did not attempt to pass the Andes until midsummer. He entered Chile Avithout incurring any loss, but very difi’erent Avas the reception lie experienced from the inhabitants of the n. provinces from that Avhich Almago had met Avith. Those people, informed of the fate of Peru, ami freed from the submission they professed to owe the Inca, did not consider themselves obliged to respect their invaders. They of course began to attack them upon all sides, Avith more valour than conduct. liike barbarians in general, incapable of making a common cause Avihli each other, and for a long time accustomed to the j'oke of servitude, they attacked them by hordes or tribes, as they advanced, without that steady firmness Avhich characterises the valour of a civilized people. The Spaniards, hoAvever, notwithstanding the ill-combined opposition of the natives, traversed the provinces ofCopiapo, Coquimbo, Quillota, and Melipilla, and arrived, much harrassed, but Avith little loss, at that of Mapocho, now called St. Jago.
8. Province, of St. Jago described. — This province, Avhich is more than 600 miles distance from the confines of Peru, is one of the most fertile and pleasant in the kingdom. Its name signifies the land of many people;” and from the accounts of the first Avriters upon Chile, its population corresponded thercAvith, being extrcnsciy numerous. Jt lies upon the confines of the principal mountain of the Andes, and is 140 miles in circiimfereiicc. It is watered by the rivers Maypo, Colina, Lampa, and Mapocho, Avhich last divides it into two nearly equal parts; and after pursuing a subterraneous course for the space of five miles, again shows itself Avith increased copiousness, and disdiarges itsl
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[waters into the Majpo. The mountains of Caren, which terminate it on the n. abound witli veins of gold ; and in that part of tlie Andes whicli bounds it at the e, arc found several rich mines of silver. Valdivia, who liad endeavoured to penetrate as far as possible into the country, in order to render it ditlicnlt for Ids soldiers to return to Peru, determined to make a settlement in this province, which, from its natural advantages, and its remoteness, appeared to him more suitable than any other for the centre of his conquests.
9. Capital founded.—Wiih. this view, having selected a convenient situation on the left shore of the Mapocho, on the 24th February 1541, he laid the foundations of the capital of the kingdom, to which, in honour of that apostle, he gave the name of St. Jago. In laying out the city, he divided the ground into plats or squares, each containing 4096 toises, a fourth of Avhich he allowed to every citizen, a plan which has been pursued in the foundation of all the other cities ; one of these plats, lying upon the great square, he destined for the cathedral and the bishop’s palace, Avhich he intended to build there, and the one opposite for that of the government. He likewise appointed a magistracy, according to the forms of Spain, from such of his army as were the best qualified ; and to protect the settlement in case of an attack, he constructed a fort upon a hill in the centre of tlie city, Avhich has since received the name of St. Lucia. Many have applauded the discernment of Valdivia, in having made choice of this situation for the seat of the capital of the colony. But considering the wants of a great city, it would have been better placed 15 miles farther to the s. upon the Maypo, a large river, Avhich has a direct communication with the sea, and might easily be rendered navigable for ships of the largest size. This city, however, contained in 1807 more than 40,000 inhabitants, and is rapidly increasing in population, from its being the seat of government, and from its great commerce, supported by the luxury of the Avealthy inhabitants. Meanwhile the natives saw Avith a jealous eye this new establishment, and concerted measures, although late, for freeing themselves of these unAvelcome intruders, Valdivia having discovered their intentions in season, confifiedthe chiefs of the conspiracy in the fortress ; and suspecting some secret intelligence betAveen them and the neighbouring Promaucians, repaired with 60 horse to the river Cachapoal to Avatch their movements. But this measure was unnecessary ; that fearless people had not the policy to think of uniting Avith their neighbours in order to secure themselves from the impending danger.
10. Steady unanimity of the Mapochinians . — The Mapochinians, taking advantage of the departure of the general, fell upon the colony with inconceivable furj^, burned the half-built houses, and assailed the citadel, wherein the inhabitants had taken refuge, oh all sides. Notwithstanding the ultimate defeat Avhich the Mapochinians experienced in this battle, and others of not less importance Avhich they afterwards experienced, the}never ceased, for the space of six years, until their utter ruin, to keep the Spaniards closely besieged, attacking them upon every occasion that offered, and cutting off their provisions, in such a manner that they Avere compelled to subsist upon unwholesome and loathsome viands, and upon the little grain that they could raise beneath the cannon of the place. The fertile plains of the neighbourhood had become desert and uncultivated, as the inhabitants had destroyed their crops and retired to the mountains. This mode of life did not fail to disgust the soldiers of Valdivia, but he contriAmd Avith much prudence and address to sooth their turbulent spirits, painting to them in seducing colours the happy prospect that aAvaited them.
11. The mine of Valdivia had often
heard in Peru that the valley of Quillota abounded in mines of gold, and imagined that he might obtain from thence a sufficient quantity to satisfy his soldiers ; in consequence, notwithstanding the difficulties Avith which he was surrounded, he sent thither a detachment of troops, with orders to superintend the digging of this precious metal. The mine that Avas opened Avas so rich that its product surpassed their most sanguine hopes ; their present and past sufferings were all buried in oblivion, nor Avas there one among them who had the remotest wish of quitting the country. The governor, (for Valdivia had persuaded the magistracy of the city to give him this title), Avho Avas naturally enterprising, encouraged by this success, had a frigate built in the mouth of the river Chile, Avhich traverses the valley, in order more readily to obtain succours from Peru, without which he was fully sensible he could not succeed in accomplishing his vast undertakings. In the mean time, as the state of affairs was urgent, Valdivia was resolved to send to Peru by land two of his captains, Alonzo Monroy and Pedro Miranda, with six companions, whose spurs, bits, and stirrups he directed to be made of gold, hoping to entice, by this proof of the opulence of the country, his felloAV-citizens to come to his assistance. These messengers, though escorted by 30 men on horseback, who were ordered to accompany them to the borders of Chile, Avere attacked and defeated by 100]
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[archers of Copiapo, commanded by Cotco, an officer of the ulinen of that province. Of the whole band none escaped with life but the two officers, Monroy and Miranda, who Avere brought covered with wounds before the ulmen.
12. The compassionate ulmena.—^^ hilst that prince, Avho had resoU’cd to put them to death, as enemies of the country, Avas deliberating on the mode, the v.hnena, or princess, hisAvife, moved with compassion for their situation, interceded Avith her husband for tin ir lives; atid having obtained her request, uisbound them Avitli lier own hands, tenderly dressed! +h -ir Avounds, and treated them like brothers. When they Avere fully recovered, she desired ihenr to teach her son the art of riding, as several of the horses had been taken alive in tlie defeat. 'I'he tAVo Spaniards readily cojisented to her request, hoping to avail themselves of this opportunity to recover their liberty. lJut the means they took to effect this, Avere marked Avith an act of ingratitude to tlu'ir benefactress, of so much the deeper dye, as, from their not being strictly guarded, such an e.vpedicnt Avas unnecessary. As the yountr prince Avas one day riding between tliem, escorted by his arcl!crs, and preceded by an officer armed Avith a lance, Monroy suddenly attacked him with a poniard Avhich he carried about him, and bro!ight him to the ground Avith tAvo or three mortal Avounds ; Miranda at the same time wresting tlie lance from the officer, they forced their Avay through their guards, Avho Avere throAvn into confusion by such an unexpected event. As they were Avell-mounted, they easily escaped pursuit, and taking their Avay through the deserts of Peru, arrived at Cuzco, the residence at that time of Vascade Castro, Avho had succeededed to the government upon the death of Pizarro, cruelly assassinated by the partizans of Airaagro.
IS. Ilecruits from Perti under Monro7/.-—Oi\ being informed of the critical situation of Chile, Castro immediately dispatclied a considerable number of recruits by land, under the command of Monroy, who had the good fortune to conceal his march from the Cppiapins, and at the same time gave directions to Juan Bautista Pastene, a noble Genoese, to proceed thither by sea Avith a still greater number. Valdivia, on receiving these two reinforcements, Avhich arrived nearly atthe same time, began to carry his great designs into execution. As he had been solicitous from the first to have a complete knowledge of the sea-coast, he ordered Pastene to explore it, and note the situation of the most important parts and places, as far as the straits of Magellan. On his return from this expedition, he .sent him back to Peru for new
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recruits, as since the alfair of Copiapo, the natives became daily more bold and enterprising.
14. Stratagem of the Quillotanes. -~-Amon^ others the Qiullotanes had, a little time before, massacred all the soldiers employed in the mines. To this end they made use of the folloAving stratagem : One of the neighbouring Indians brought to the commander, Gonzalo Rios, a pot biil of gold, telling him that he had found a groat quaiititv of it in a certain district of the country ; upon th is information, all were impatient to proceed thither to particip'ate in ti)c imagined treasure. As they arrived tumultuously at the place described, they easily became victims to an ambuscade Avhich had been formed for them, not one of them escaping except the imprudent commander and a Negro, Avho saved themselves by the superior excellence of their horses. The frigate, Avhich wasthen finished, Avas also destroyed, being burned together with the arsenal.
15. Serena founded.- — VixWivhx, on receiving advice of this disaster, hastened thither with his troops, and having revenged as far as in his poAver the death of his soldiers, built a fort to protect the miners. Being afteiAvards reinforced Avith SOO men from Peru, under the command of Francis Viliagrau and Christopher Escobar, he became sensible of the necessity of establishing a settlement ill the n. part of the kingdom, that might serve as a place of arms, and a protection for the convoys that should come that Avay. For this purpose he made choice of a beautiful plain at the mouth of the river Coquimbo, Avhich forms a goed harbour, Avherc, in 1564, he founded a city called by him Serena, in honour of the place of his birth ; it is not, however, knoAAn at present by this appellation, except in geographical treatises, the country name having prevailed, as is the case Avith all the other European settlements in Chile.
16. Promoucian u///es.-— luthe ensuing year he began to think of extending his conquests, and for that purpose proceeded into the country of the Promaucians. Contemponiry Avriters have not made mention of any battle that Avas fought upon this occasion; but it is not to be supposed that this valiant people, Avho had with so much glory repulsed the armies of the Inca and of Almagro, would have alloAved him, Avithout opposition, to violate their territory. It is, hoAvever, highly probable that Valdivia, in the frequent in^ cursions Avhich he made upon their frontiers, had discovered the art to persuade them to unite with him against the other Chilians by seducing promises. In fact, the Spanish armies have ever since that period been strengthened by Promaucian’]
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[ auxiliaries, from whence has sprung that rooted antipatliy which the Araucanians preserve against the residue of that nation. In the course of the year 1546, Valdivia, having passed the Maule, proceeded in his career of victory to the river Itata ; but being defeated there, he relinquished his plans of proceeding farther, and returned to St. Jago.
17. Valdivia sets sail for Peru ^ and returns with men and supplies . — Being disappointed in his succours from Peru, he, in 1547, was on tlie eve of his departure for that country, when Pastenes arrived, but without any men, and bringing news of the civil war which had broken out between the conquerors of the empire of the Incas. Nevertheless, persuaded that he miglit reap an advantage from these revolutions, he set sail with Pastene for Peru, taking with him a great quantity of gold; on his arrival he served, in quality of quarter-master-general, in the famous battle that decided the fate of Gonzalo Pizarro. Gasca, the president, who under the royal standard had gained the victory, pleased with the service rendered him upon this occasion by Valdivia, confirmed him in his otlice of governor, and furnishing him with an abundance of military stores, sent him back to Chile with two ships filled with those seditious adventurers, of whom he was glad of an opportunity to be disembarrassed. The Copiapins, eager to revenge the murder of their prince, killed about the same time 40 Spaniards, who had been detached from several squadrons, and were proceeding from Peru to Chile ; and the Coquirnbanes, instigated by their persuasion, massacred alt the inhabitants oi’ the colony lately founded in their territory, ra,zing the city to its foundation. Francis Aguirre was immediately ordered there, and had several encounters with them with various success. In 1549 he rebuilt the city in a more advantageous sit nation ; its inhabitants claim him as their founder, and the most distinguished of them boast themselves as his descendants. After a contest of nine years, and almost incredible fatigues, Valdivia, conceiving himself well established in that part of Chile which was under the dominion of the Peruvians, distributed the land among his soldiers, assigning to each, under the title of commandery, a considerable portion, with the inhabitants living thereon. By this means, having quieted the restless ambition of his companions, he set out anew on his march for the s. provinces, with a respectable army of Spanish and Proraaucian troops.
18. Concepcion founded. — After a journey of 150 miles, he arrived, without encountering many
obstacles, at the bay of Penco, which had been already explored by Pastene, where, on the 5th of October 1550, he founded a third city, called Concepcion. The situation of this place was very advantageous for commerce from the excellence of its harbour, but, from the lowness of the ground, exposed in earthquakes to inundations of the sea. Accordingly we find it destroyed in this manner by an earthquake that occurred on the 8th of J uly 1730, and the 24th of May 1751; for this reason, the inhabitants established themselves, on the 24th of November 1764, in the valley of Mocha, three leagues s. of Penco, between the rivers Andalien and Biobio, where they founded New Concepcion, The harbour is situated in the middle of the bay called Talgacuano, a little more than two leagues w. of Mocha ; a fort is now all the building that is left at Penco. But to return to our history, the adjacent tribes perceiving the intention of the Spaniards to occupy this important post, gave information of it to their neighbours and friends the Araucanians, who foreseeing that it would not be long before the storm would burst upon their own country, resolved to succour their distressed allies, in order to secure themselves. But before we proceed to relate the events of this war, it may be more advisable to give some account of the character and manners of that warlike people, who have hitherto, with incredible valour, opposed the overwhelming torrent of Spanish conquest, and from henceforward will furnish all the materials of our history.
CUAP. III.
Of the character and manners of the Araucanians.
1. Local situation . — The Araucanians inhabit that delightful country situate between the rivers Biobio and Valdivia, and between the Andes and the sea, extending from 36° 44' to 39“ 50' of s. latitude. They derive their appellation of Araucanians from the province of Arauco, which, though the smallest in their territory, has, like Holland, given its name to the whole nation, either from its having been the first to unite with the neighbouring provinces, or from having at some remote period reduced them under its dominion. This people, ever enthusiastically attached to their independence, pride themselves in being called auca, which signifies frank or free ; and those Spaniards who had left the army in the Netherlands to serve in Chile, gave to this country the name of Araucanian Flanders, or the Invincible State ; and some of them have even had the magnanimity to celebrate in epic poetry tlie exploits]
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[of a people, wlio, to preserve their intlepeudencc, have shed such torrents of Spanish biood.
2. Character. — The Araucanians, aithoiighlhej do not exceed the ordinary height of the human species, are in general muscular, robust, well proportioned, and of a martial appearance. It is very unusual to find among them any person w'ho is crooked or deformed, not from their pursuing, as some have supposed, the cruel custom of the ancient Spartans, of sufibcating such unfortunate children, but because they leave to nature the care of forming them, Avithout obstructing her operations by the improper application of bandages and stays. Their complexion, Avith the exception of the Boroancs, who are fair and ruddy, is of a reddish broAvn, but yet clearer than that of the other Americans ; they have round faces, small animated eyes full of expression, a nose rather flat, a handsome mouth, even and white teeth, muscular and well shaped legs, and small flat feet ; like the Tartars, they have scarce any beard, and the smallest hair is never to be discerned on their faces, from the care they take to pluck out the little that appears ; they esteem it very impolite to have a beard, calling the Europeans, by Avay of reproach, the long beards. The same attention is paid to removing the hair from their bodies, Avhere its growth is more abundant ; that of their heads is thick and black, but rather coarse ; they permit it to groAv to a great length, and Avind it in tresses around their heads ; of this they are as proud and careful as they are averse to beards, nor could a greater affront be offered them than to cut it off. Their Avomen are delicately formed, and many of them, especially among the Boroanes, are very handsome. Possessed of great strength of constitution, and unencumbered with the cares that disturb civilized society, they are not subject, except at a very advanced period of life, to the infirmities attendant upon old age ; they rarely begin to be grey before they are 60 or 70, and arc not bald or Avrinkled until 80 ; they are generally longer lived than the Spaniards, and many are to be met Avitli Avhose age exceeds 100 ; and to the latest period of their lives, they retain their sight, teeth, and memory unimpaired. Their moral qualities are proportionate to their personal endowments ; tiiey are intrepid, animated, ardent, patient in enduring fatigue, ever ready to sacrifice their lives in the service of their country, enthusiastic lovers of liberty, which they consider as an essential constituent of their existence, jealous of their honour, courteous, hospitable, faithful to their engagements, grateful for services rendered them, and generous and humane towards
the vanquished. But these noble qualities arc obscured by the vices inseparable from the half savage state of life Avhich they lead, unrefined by literature or cultivation; these are drunkenness, debauchery, presumption, and a hauglity contempt for all other nations. Were the civil manners and innocent improvements of Europe introduced among them, they Avould soon become a people deserving of universal esteem ; but under the present system, this happy change appears impossible to be effected.
3. Dress. — All those nations, Avhom either the nature of the climate or a sense of decency has induced to clothe themselves, have made use at first of loose garments, as being the most easily made. But the Araucanians, from their great attachment to war, Avhich they consider as the only true source of glory, haAm adopted the short garment, as best suited to martial conflicts ; this dress is made of wool, as Avas that of the Greeks and Romans, and consists of a shirt, a vest, a pair of short close breeches, and a cloak in form of a scapulary, Avith an opening in the middle for the head, made full and long so as to cover the hands and descend to the knees ; this cloak is called poncho, and is much more commodious than our mantles, as it leaves the arms at liberty, and may be throAvn over the shoulder at pleasure ; it is also a better protection from the wind and the rain, and more convenient for riding on horseback, for Avhich reason it is commonly Avorn, not only by the Spaniards in Chile, but by those of Peru and Paraguay. The shirt, vest, and breeches are abvays of a greenish blue, or turquois, which is the favourite colour of the nation, as red is that of the Tartars. The poficho is also, among persons of inferior condition, of a greenish blue; but those of tlie higlier classes Avear it of different colours, either Avhite, red, or blue, Avith stripes a span broad, on Avhich are Avrought, Avith much skill, figures of floAvers and animals in various colours, and the border is ornamented with a handsome^ fringe : some of these po«c/ms are of so fine and elegant a texture as to be sold for 150 dollars. The Araucanians make use of neither turbans nor hats, but Avear upon their heads a bandage of embroidered Avool, in the form of the ancient diadem ; this, whenever they salute, tiioy raise a little as a mark of courtesy, and on going to Avar ornament it with a number of beautiful plumes ; they also wear around the body a long Avoollen girdle or sash handsomely Avrought. Persons of rank wear avooIlen boots of various colours, and leather sandals, called chelle, but the common people ahvays go barefooted. The women arc clad with innch , 3 r 2
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