WHOLE VOL. THE WEST INDIES VAZQUEZ DE ESPINOSA 749 



this point or cape is the Rio de Cautin at 38°4o', following the coast 

 to the S. ; and in the same direction at 39° is the Rio de Tolten, 

 which rises in the lake by which Villarica was built ; it has a good 

 harbor for ships. 



1982. Eight leagues farther along the coast in the same southerly 

 direction, at 39°3o', is the Rio de Queule and the port. From there 

 the coast runs S. to the Rio Grande de Valdivia, 9 leagues, all of it 

 ridges and Cordillera right down to the sea. The mouth of the Rio 

 de Valdivia is at scant 40°, with a grand harbor. The river empties 

 into the sea heading somewhat N. and with two arms or mouths 

 formed by a medium-sized island across the entrance. It is highly 

 essential and important that His Majesty order a city to be established 

 there, and a fort with a Spanish garrison ; that would not only 

 ensure the Kingdom of Chile against enemies on sea and land, forming 

 a bulwark against both, but also for the whole Kingdom and coast 

 of Peru, for it is to windward of them all, and the first point where 

 our enemies, exhausted by the voyage, can stop and rest, with an 

 excellent harbor and timber, as I have demonstrated not only in 

 writing but also with maps. 



1983. From Valdivia the coast runs S. 7 leagues to the Punta de 

 la Galera, and from there in the same direction to the Rio Bueno, 

 where 5 other rivers debouch, it is again 7 leagues. From Rio Bueno 

 it is 10 leagues along the same course to the Punta de Billiva ; 

 Billiva is at 41°, To San Marcelo it is 7 leagues; all this coast is 

 high mountain ranges. In this neighborhood the Chiloe Archipelago 

 begins. The coast runs SE. from San Marcelo; at 8 leagues is the 

 port of Chanqui, at 43°, opposite these Chiloe Islands; nearby are 

 the forts of Calbuco and Carelmapu, with two companies of Span- 

 iards, one of cavalry and the other of infantry, to keep the Indians 

 of the island and the neighborhood peaceful, and to restrain the fury 

 of the warlike savages. 



1984. This Cape and port of Chanqui is one of those at the mouth 

 of the Gulf of Los Coronados. Four leagues to the S. is Cape 

 Ballena, so that these two capes form that gulf. Beside it is the 

 Province of Ancud or Chiloe. Next comes Cape San Felix, 9 leagues 

 S. of Cape Ballena. At this Cape San Felix there is great wealth of 

 gold, for the whole country is paved with this metal, of high grade, 

 over 23 carats. Here the Costa de Los Cesares starts and runs down 

 to the Straits. From Cape San Felix to that of San Cebrian it is 

 14 leagues S. ; from there to that of Santa Clara, 4, and 10 to Cape 

 Isla, running S. along a coast which is all Cordillera Nevada close 



