738 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 102 



of Santa Maria lies opposite the Province of Arauco, near where 

 the great Rio de Biobio empties into the sea ; and in front of the 

 mouth of the Rio de Cautin, w^hich is the river of La Imperial, is 

 the island of Mocha, with a few peaceable Indians. 



1951. Two leagues from the city of La Concepcion is the Rio de 

 Biobio, which is the war boun,dary ; on the bank of this river is built 

 the fort of San Pedro, with a few Spaniards in it, to ensure safe 

 passage over this river with a flatboat of the sort that in Flanders 

 they call pontoon, to Arauco, which is 9 leagues from this fort, for 

 Arauco is the seat of the Militia Captain General of the Kingdom, 

 with 500 Spanish cavalry and infantry, besides the infantry in the 

 castle and fort of Arauco, some 100 Spaniards with their warden. 

 This fort of Arauco is ^ league from the sea. These Spaniards 

 campaign along the whole coast, trying to keep the converted Indians 

 peaceable. Seven leagues beyond Arauco is the fort of Lebu, 4 

 leagues inland from the coast ; this serves the Spaniards as a base 

 for raids into the enemy's country. 



1952. Six leagues E. of La Concepcion toward the Cordillera and 

 on the bank of the Rio de Biobio is the fort of Talcamavida, and 

 6 leagues farther on, the fort of San Rosendo ; 4 leagues up the 

 river, El Nacimiento, which is another fort ; and 9 leagues from the 

 city is the fort of Buena Esperanza (Good Hope), also called Estancia 

 del Rey (the King's Ranch), because of the great wheat harvest 

 which His Majesty gets there every year to help maintain the army. 

 Two leagues from this position is the fort of San Cristobal, where 

 a number of Indians have again been settled. Near this post is the 

 headquarters of the other part of the army, which the Sergeant 

 Major of the Kingdom has under his charge ; this usually comprises 

 500 Spaniards, cavalry and infantry. These campaign along the 

 sierra. This is the state of affairs in that Kingdom at present, and 

 the peaceful situation described in the Diocese of La Concepcion. 



Chapter VIII 



Describing the Kingdom of Chile, the Provinces Which Were 

 Subdued and the Cities That Were Established in Them. 



1953. Before the war and general uprising of the Indians of Chile, 

 this Diocese was very rich and had very extensive jurisdiction. The 

 site of the Cathedral was the city La Imperial. It possessed many 

 other provinces and cities belonging to it. I shall therefore write 

 a description of them and of their status at that time, with the greatest 

 conciseness and clarity, noting their most important features. It is 



