264 



dispersed. In consequence of these disasters^ ia 

 1608^ the court of Spain issued orders, that 

 hereafter there should constantly be maintained 

 on the Araucanian frontier a body of two thou- 

 sand regular troopsj for whose support an appro- 

 priation of 292j279 dollars annually was made 

 in the treasury of Peru. 



After having been suppressed for thirty-four 

 years, the Court of Royal Audience was re- 

 established on the 8th of September, 1609, in 

 the city of St. Jago, to the great satisfaction of 

 the inhabitants, since which period it has con- 

 tinued to exist with a high reputation for justice 

 and integrity. Ramon, who, by this new regu- 

 lation, to the titles of governor and captain- 

 general, had added that of president, returned 

 and crossed the Bio-bio at the head of an army 

 of about two thousand men. Huenecura ad- 

 vanced to meet him in the defiles of the marshes 

 of Lumaco. The battle was obstinate and 

 bloody, and the Spaniards were in great danger 

 of being entirely defeated ; but the governor, 

 placing himself in the front line, animated his 

 troops so far that they at length succeeded in 

 breaking the enemy. Shortly after this battle, 

 on the 10th of August, 1610, he died in Con- 

 ception, greatly regretted by the inhabitants, to 

 whom he was much endeared by his excellent 

 qualifies, and his long residence among them. 

 He was also highly esteemed by the Arauca- 



