ovalle's historical relation of chile. 205 



CHAP. XXII. — Don Garcia Hurtado de Mendoga comes to the Government of Chile ; — 

 what happened at his Arrival, and in the Engagement he had with the Araucanos, 



AFTER the death of Pedro de Valdivia, there was application made from Chile to 

 the viceroy of Peru, who is to provide a governor till the king can fend one, that is, 

 both prefident and governor independent of Peru. The viceroy at this time was Don 

 Antonio Hurtado de Mendo9a, marquis of Canete, who governed with great zeal and 

 a prudent feverity, making exemplary punifhments where they were neceffary, by 

 which he fecured the country. He had then with him his fon Don Garcia Hurtado 

 de Mendo9a, who afterwards fucceeded him in his viceroyfhip, with as much applaufe 

 and efteem of the world. The embafladors from Chile defired him of his excellency 

 the father for their governor, which he granted. King Philip the fecond had appointed 

 the Adelantado Hyeronimo de Alderete, to fucceed the governor Pedro de Valdivia, 

 whofe death was known at court ; but the news came likewife that Alderete was dead 

 at the ifland of Taboga near Panama. The viceroy's fon having raifed a good body of 

 horfe, fent fome of them by land with the horfes, and he embarked with the reft ; 

 and after a hard ftorm, in which they had like to have been all loft, he arrived in the 

 bay of the city of the Conception, and landed upon the ifland of Quiriquina, to 

 inform himfelf from thence of the ftate of the country. The people of the ifland, who 

 were fierce and warlike, took arms when they faw the ftiips draw near the harbour, 

 and pretended to hinder the Spaniards from landing ; but having no fire-arms, as foon 

 as the cannons of the fliip began to fire, they gave way. As foon as the governor 

 landed he publifhed the defign of his coming, that the Indians might know it : which 

 was, to fave their fouls by the predication of the gofpel, and reconcile them to God by 

 the means of baptifm ; and to confer that facrament, he had with him religious men 

 of the famous orders of St. Francis and Mercede : that if they would fubmit to that, 

 he would treat with them in the name of the emperor Charles V. This declaration 

 reached the ears of the Araucanos : and there aflembled at Arauco fixteen caciques, 

 and many other captains, to treat about what was beft for them to do in this cafe ; and 

 though many youthful and arrogant fpeeches were made, according to their ufual 

 haughtinefs, which made them defpife all good counfel and peace, yet the old and pru- 

 dent Colocolo reftrained their pride with prudent reafons, and perfuaded them to treat 

 with the Spaniards, fince they were by them invited to do it. " It cannot hurt us, " 

 faid he, " to hear them ; we fliallhave our forces as ftrong ftill to maintain our right, 

 if they demand unjuft things. " This opinion was followed by the moft prudent among 

 them ; and they fent for their ambaflador the Cacique Milalan, a man of great rhetoric 

 and eloquence among them, giving him order to treat with the Spaniards, and obferve 

 well their ftrength ; and that he fliould ftiow inclinations to peace, to draw them to 

 land on the continent, and forfake the ifland, hoping that the defire of gold would 

 tempt them to go further into the country. Milalan came to the governor's tent : and 

 making a fmall but civil bow, faluted him, and the other Spaniards that were with him ; 

 then with a chearful countenance he delivered his mefluage. He faid, " that his coun- 

 trymen admitted the terms of peace that were propofed, and fliould obferve thofe 

 of friend fliip ; not out of any terror or apprehenfion caufed in them by the arrival of 

 thefe new forces : for no power was great enough to terrify them, having fufliciently 

 experienced their ftrength in the fuccefs they had hitherto had : but that which moved 

 them was the compaflion they had for fo many innocent people, fo many women and 



r, chil- 



