161 



infallibly have produced a civil vrar between 

 Villagran and himself, whh great detriment 

 to the success of the Spaniards, had they not 

 both consented to submit their claims to tlie de- 

 cision of the Royal Audience of Lima. This 

 court, whose jurisdiction at that time (1555) 

 extended over the whole of South- America, did^ 

 not think proper to commit the government to 

 either, but in their place directed that the Cor- 

 regidors of the cities should have the command 

 each in his respective district, until farther orders. 



The inhabitants, perceiving the inconveniences 

 that must result from this poliarchy.. especially in 

 time of war, sent a remonstrance to the Court of 

 Audience, who hearkened to their reasons, and 

 appointed Villagran to the command, as more 

 experienced in the business of the kingdom than 

 Aguirre, but conferred on him only the title of 

 Corregidor, ordering him at the same time to re- 

 build the city of Conception. Although he was 

 convinced of the inutility of this measure, yet, to 

 evince his obedience, he proceeded thitlier im- 

 mediately with eighty-five families, whom he 

 established there, and defended with a strong 

 fortification. 



The natives of the country, indignant to be 

 rendered again subject to ^ foreign yoke, had re- 

 course to their protectors, the Araucanians. 

 Caupolican, who, during this interval either 

 through ignorance of the proceedings of the 



VOL. II. M 



