CHAPTER XVI. 
Chil6e—Its probable importance—Valdivia founds seven cities; after- 
wards destroyed by the Indians—Migration of Spanish settlers—Pro- 
vince and Islands of Chil6e—Districts and population—Government— 
Defence —W inds — Town— Durability of wooden buildings —Culti- 
vation—W ant of industry—Improvement—Dress — Habits of lower 
classes — Morality — Schools— Language— Produce—Manufactures— 
Exports and imports—Varieties of wood—Alerse—Roads—Piraguas 
Ploughs—C orn —Potatoes—Contributions—Birds—Shell-fish—Medi- 
cal practitioners—Remedies—Climate. 
As the Island of Childe was formerly shrouded from notice, 
by the policy of its master, the King of Spain, and therefore 
little known to the world ; I have considered it not irrelevant 
to the narration of the voyage, to introduce a short account of 
its present state, particularly as since the trade of the whole 
coast has been opened, a new era has dawned upon this interest- 
ing island; and although it has been, as yet, the least frequented 
of the South American States, I think the time is not far distant, 
when it will become an important part of the Chilian territory. 
After the foundation of the city of Penco, or Concepcion, by 
Don Pedro de Valdivia, in the year 1550, he passed on towards 
the south in search of convenient situations for other cities; and 
crossing the river Bio Bio, which separates Concepcion from 
the territory of the Araucanian Indians, successively founded 
Imperial, Valdivia, Villa Rica, Angol, Canete, and Osorno ; 
the last being effected in the year 1558. The necessary distri- 
bution of the Spanish forces, to protect so many points, made 
them comparatively defenceless, in a country inhabited by a 
large population of Indians, who contemplated the hostile 
occupation of their native land, by the invading army, with a 
deep dissatisfaction. They had for some time endured, with 
sullen patience, the yoke of the Spaniards; but at last, incensed 
by the servility and bondage to which they were reduced, and, 
probably, by no small portion of ill-treatment ; the whole popu- 
lation rose simultaneously, and waged a most destructive and 
