251 



rious undertaking, which was approved and ratiiied 

 by the court. 



In 1643, two years after the peace, the importance 

 of the article inserted by the governor in the treaty 

 was rendered very apparent to the Spaniards, by 

 a last attempt made by the Dutch to possess them- 

 selves of Chili. Their measures were so well ta- 

 ken, that had they been in the least seconded by the 

 Araucanians, they must have infallibly succeeded. 

 Having left Brasil, which they had conquered, with a 

 nuaacrous fleet, well provided with men and cannon, 

 tl]e^ftook possession of the harbour of Valdivia, 

 which had been deserted for more than forty years, 

 where they intended to form an establishment in or- 

 der to conquer the rest of the kingdom. With this 

 view they immediately began building three strong 

 forts at the entrance of the river, in order to secure 

 its possession. 



The Araucanians were invited, with the most flat- 

 tering promises, to join them ; this they not only 

 declined, but strictly adhering to the stipulations of 

 the treaty, refused to furnish them with provisions, 

 of which they were greatly in want. The Cunchcsc, 

 to whom the territory which they had occupied be- 

 longed, following the counsel of their allies, refused 

 also to treat with them or supply them. In conse- 

 quence of this refusal, the Dutch, pressed with hun- 

 ger, and hearing that a combined army of Spaniards 

 and Araucanians were on their march against them, 

 were compelled to abandon the place in three montlis 

 after their landing. The Marquis de Mancura, son 

 to the viceroy of Peru, having soon after arrived 



