ing, as is said, espoused the party in opposition to the house of Bourbon in the war of succession. His office until the year 1720 was filled by Don Juan Henriquez, Don Andrew Uztariz, and Don Martin Concha. The islanders of Chiloé were soon restored to obedience, through the prudent conduct of the quarter-master-general of the kingdom, Don Pedro Molina, who was sent against them with a considerable body of troops, but who succeeded in reducing them rather by mild measures than by useless victories.

The French, in consequence of the above mentioned war of succession, possessed themselves for a time of all the external commerce of Chili. From 1707 to 1717 its ports were filled with their ships, and they carried from thence incredible sums in gold and silver. Many of them who became attached to the country settled themselves in it, and have left numerous descendants. It was at this period, that the learned father Feuillé, who remained there three years, made his botanical researches and meteorological observations upon the coast. His amiable qualities obtained him the esteem of the inhabitants, who still cherish his memory with much affection.

CHAPTER X.

A Brief Account of the War of the Toquis Vilumilla and Curignancu; Spanish Governors to the Year 1787.

THE Araucanians had for some time been very much dissatified with the peace. They perceived that it gave the Spaniards an opportunity of forming new establishments in their country. They also endured very impatiently the insolence of those who were designated by the title of Captains of the Friends, and who having been introduced under pretence of guarding the missionaries, arrogated to themselves a species of authority over the natives, who, stimulated by resentment for these grievances, determined, in 1722, to create a Toqui, and have recourse to arms.

The choice fell upon Vilumilla, a man of low rank, but one who had acquired a high reputation for his judgment, courage and extensive views. His object was no less than the expulsion of the Spaniards from the whole of Chili. To succeed in this arduous enterprise, it was necessary to obtain the support of all the Chilians, from the confines of Peru to the Biobio. Vast as was the plan, it appeared to him not to be difficult of execution. Having killed in a skirmish three or four Spaniards, and among them one

of the pretended- Captains of Friends, he dispatched, according to custom, a messenger with one of their fingers, to the Chilians in the Spanish provinces, inviting them to take arms at a signal to be given by kindling fires upon the tops of the highest mountains. On the 9th of March, 1723, the day appointed for the open declaration of hostilities, fires were accordingly kindled upon the mountains of Copiapo, Coquimbo, Quillota, Rancagua, Maúle and Itata. Owing to the smallness of their numbers, or their apprehension of the issue of the war, the natives, however, made no movement.

Vilumilla was, however, by no means discouraged on seeing his projects evaporate in smoke. As soon as he had declared war he set out immediately at the head of his troops to attack the Spanish settlements. But before commencing his march, he was careful to give information to the missionaries, and request them to quit the country, in order to avoid being ill treated by his detached parties. The capture of the fort of Tucapel was the first fruit of this expedition. The garrison of Arauco, fearing the same fate, abandoned the place. Having destroyed these fortresses, he directed his march against that of Puren, which he expected to possess himself of without resistance. But Urrea, the commanding officer, opposed him so vigorously that he was compelled to besiege it. In a short time the garrison was reduced to great extremities from hunger and thirst, as the aqueduct which supplied them with water had been destroyed by the enemy, and the com

mander, having made a sortie in order to procurè supplies, was slain together with his soldiers.

In this critical state of affairs, the governor, Don Gabriel Cano, who had succeeded Concha, arrived with an army of five thousand men. Vilumilla, expecting immediately to come to action, posted himself behind a torrent, and drew up his troops in order of battle: but Cano, though repeatedly provoked by the enemy, thought it more advisable to abandon the place, and retire with the garrison. The war afterwards became reduced to skirmishes of but little importance, which were finally terminated by the celebrated peace of Negrete, a place situated at the confluence of the rivers Bio-bio and Lara, where the treaty of Quillan was reconfirmed, and the odious title of Captain of Friends wholly abolished.

Cano, after a mild and harmonious government of fifteen years, died in the city of St. Jago. He was succeeded by his nephew, Don Manuel Salamanca, who was appointed by the viceroy of Peru, and whose whole conduct was conformable to the humane maxims of his uncle. Don Joseph Manso, who was sent from Spain as his successor, brought orders from the king to collect the numerous Spanish inhabitants dispersed over the country in compact societies. For this purpose, in 1742, he founded the cities of Copiapo, Aconcagua, Melipilla, Rancagua, St. Fernando, Curico, Talca, Tutuben and Angeles. In reward for this service he was promoted to the splendid dignity of viceroy of Peru. His

successors continued to form new establishments, but these have never flourished like the first. In 1753, Santa Rosa, Guasco-alto, Casablanca, BellaIsla, Florida, Coulemu and Quirigua were built by Don Domingo Rosas. He also sent inhabitants to settle the large island of Juan Fernandez, which till that time had remained desert to the great injury of commerce, as the pirates found therein a secure retreat, from whence they could with facility attack the trading ships. Don Manuel Amat, who was afterwards viceroy of Peru, in 1729 founded upon the Araucanian frontier the cities of St. Barbara, Talcamavida and Gualqui.

Don Antonio Guill Gonzaga attempted under his government to effect more than his predecessors. He undertook to compel the Araucanians to live in cities. This chimerical scheme was ridiculed by those who were best acquainted with the country, while others supposed it practicable. Many counsels were held to devise the most suitable means of carrying this scheme into execution, which the wishes of the governor made him consider as very easy. The Araucanians were informed of all these proceedings by their spies, and apprehensive of the danger to which such an innovation might expose their liberties, they met secretly to deliberate upon the measures they should take to elude the designs of their neighbours without having recourse to arms, when the following resolutions were adopted by the national council: In the first place, to delay as long as possible the business, by equivocal replies and delusive promises. Secondly. When pressed to