297 



CHAP. X. 



" 

 A Brief Account of the War of the Toquis Vilu- 

 milla and Curignancu ; Spanish Governors to 

 the Year 1787. 



The Araucanians had for some time been very 

 much dissatisfied with the peace. They perceived 

 that it gave the Spaniards an opportunity of 

 forming new estgiblishments in their cojintiy. 

 They also endured very impatiently the insolence 

 of those who were designated by the title of 

 Captains of the Friends, and who having been 

 introduced under pretence of guarding the mis- 

 sionaries, arrogated to themselves a species of 

 authority over the natives, who, stimulated by 

 resentment for these grievances, determined, in 

 1722, to create a Toqui, and have recourse to 

 arms. 



The choice fell upon Vilumilla, a man of lo\r 

 rank, h^t one who had acquired a high reputation 

 for his judgment, courage, and extensive views. 

 His object was no less than the expulsion of the 

 Spaniards from the whole of Chili. To succeed 

 in this arduous enterprise, it was necessary to 

 obtain the support of all the Chilians, from the 

 confines of Peru to the Bio-bio. Vast as was 



