July.] 



MOCHA, OR NEW CONCEPTION 



107 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Bay of Conception and Port of Talcaguano — City of Mocha, or New Conception 

 —The River Biobio — Soil, Climate, and Natural Productions — Valparaiso Bay 

 and City — Kindness of the American Consul, Mr. Hogan — Santiago, or St. 

 Jago — Directions for entering the Harbour of Valparaiso — Climate, Winds, 

 &c. — Valparaiso destroyed by an Earthquake — Amiable Character of Mr. Ho- 

 gan — Arrive at Port Coquimbo — Captain Hutchins, of Baltimore — Heave down 

 the Wasp to repair Damages — Directions for entering the Port of Coquimbo — 

 Description of the Town — Caution to Shipmasters — Villanous Attempt at Impo- 

 sition — Sail from Coquimbo — Pursued by an armed Force, which soon retreats 

 — Islands of St. Ambrose and St. Felix — An Adventure promised in the next 

 Chapter. 



The Bay of Conception has long been celebrated for its natural 

 beauties and maritime conveniences : there are few that can rank with 

 it in any part of the world ; as it is one of those which nature con- 

 trived in her happiest mood, and at a moment when she felt an extra- 

 ordinary interest in the welfare of mariners. Talcaguano is the prin- 

 cipal port in this bay, and is much the most frequented, — as ships that 

 anchor here have not only better ground than can be found in any other 

 port, but they are also better sheltered from the north wind, which is 

 the only one that can breathe into this calm retreat. Every kind of 

 refreshment can be obtained at this village in the greatest abundance, 

 including the choicest fruits, and there is every facility for wooding and 

 watering. 



This town was built in consequence of the city of Conception being 

 destroyed by an earthquake in 1751 ; which disaster also gave rise to 

 the city of Mocha, or New Conception, mentioned at the conclusion 

 of the last chapter, which stands on the north bank of the River Biobio, 

 and was peopled by inhabitants who removed from the old city of Con- 

 ception. This is a depot for the silver found in the mines of Nimino, 

 in the mountains Sierra Belluda, and also for the gold found among 

 the sands of several rivers, particularly Biobio. 



Two years after the earthquake of 1751 had destroyed the old city 

 of Conception, the inhabitants selected a site for a new town in the 

 beautiful valley of Mocha, at about a league's distance from the former : 

 this is called Mocha, or New Conception : the population is variously 

 estimated at from ten to thirteen thousand souls. The city covers a 

 considerable extent of ground, in consequence of the houses being only 

 one story high, a necessary precaution to guard against earthquakes, 

 to which the whole country is subject. The Indians have several 

 times attacked the city with a numerous force ; and though always 

 repulsed, they seldom retired without doing much damage. 



The River Biobio (or Viovio) has its source among the silver-mines 

 in the mountains Sierra Belluda, before mentioned ; and receives the 

 tributary streams of Huequeen and Tolpan before it reaches Santa F6, 



