SOS 



14tl]. YALDIVU. 



This province is entirely sep.jrated from all the others pos- 

 sessed by the Spauiurds in Chih, being situated in the midst of 

 the country occupied by tlse Araucanians, which comprehends 

 a tract of about seventy leagues in length. It lies upon the 

 sea-coast, on both sides of the groat river Valdivia, and on the 

 .south is bounded by the Guinchi, or Cunchi, who are in pos- 

 session of its southern part. It is about twelve leagues long, 

 and six broad, and abounds with valuable timber, and with 

 gold dust, esteenieti the purest of any in Chili. Its capital is 

 the famous city, fortress, and {"sort of Valdivia, situated on the 

 southern shore of the river of that name, at three leagues dis- 

 tance from the sea^ in 39- 58. degrees of latitude, and 305. 2. 

 of longitude. Tiiis city was founded in the year 1551, by the 

 ronqucror Pedro de Valdivia, who gave it his name, and ob- 

 tained inimoHSC sums of gold from its vicinity. Its wealth 

 allured many inhabitants thitiier, and it became, even at its 

 conmiencement, one of the most populous cities in the king- 

 dom. It was twice besieged inefl'ectually by the Toqui Cau- 

 polican, but it was not so forttmate in resisting the talents and 

 activity of the celebrated Paillamachu. In the year 1599 't 

 was surprised at nigiit by that general with four thousand men, 

 wiio killed the greater part of the garrison, consisting of eight 

 liundred soldiers, and, having burned the city, carried off a 

 miliion in gold, and a valuable booty, consisting of the efiects 

 of the inhabitants, together with a great number of prisoners. 

 The Spaniards, convinced of the importance of this situaiion, 

 rebuilt it anew, and fortified it so strongly, that it resisted all 

 'he attejnpts of the Araucanians. It \\a>, however, taken in 

 the year >6'-10 by the Dutch, who. notwithstanding they were 

 deterniiued to l.eep it, were conijiclled to abandon it, being 

 frustrated in Ihrir <ittenip!-< to fcrin .;n aliiancc with the Arau- 

 canians and till- runclii, who eve;; rriused to supply them witli 

 provi'iio:! , "f u'.iiiii they were in gitut want. TiiC .''paniards, 

 >4 



