Nov.] CITY OF VALDIVIA. 169 



Saturday, the twenty-seventh of November ; latitude 39° 50' S., long. 

 73° 36' W. On the north-east side of this beautiful bay is a populous 

 town of the same name, erected on the south bank of the river Baldivia, 

 about eight miles from the seaboard. The harbour is sheltered from 

 all winds, and there is sufficient depth of water for vessels of one hun- 

 dred tons to lie abreast of the town, within a few fathoms of the land- 

 ing. This place is well defended by several fortifications, and carries 

 on a considerable trade with the northern parts of Chili and Peru.* 



This city was built by the Spanish general Baldivia, about the year 

 1551. Eight years afterward, the people of Chili, Araucanians prin- 

 cipally, defeated the Spanish troops, and chased them from this settle- 

 ment, burned the town, and put the inhabitants to the sword. How 

 long they kept possession I have never learned ; but in 1 645 it was 

 taken by the Dutch, who were soon compelled to abandon it, and to 

 leave all their cannon, consisting of thirty or forty pieces, their baggage, 

 and their stores. This sudden retreat was owing to their receiving 

 intelligence that succours had been transmitted from Peru. 



The population of Baldivia is estimated at about five thousand, 

 being a mixture of Spaniards, Araucanians, and original Valdivians. 

 They are, in general, a well made, robust, active people, with pleasing 

 and interesting countenances. Their faces are round and full ; their 

 eyes small, but cfuick, lively, and expressive : all their features are 

 well formed, especially the nose and mouth. Their limbs are very 

 muscular, and finely proportioned, with small hands and feet. The 

 head is covered with thick black hair, which is not suffered to grow 

 long. The teeth of both sexes are very white, regular, and handsome. 



For symmetry of form and grace of motion, the ladies of Baldivia will 

 yield to no other on the coast. Their sharp, black, quick, penetrating 

 eye is well calculated to soften the most frigid heart that may be ex- 

 posed to its glance. Easy in manners and address ; mild, gentle, 

 tender, and affectionate in their social relations ; modest and retiring, 

 yet not without a due share of well tempered self-confidence ; delicacy 

 of sentiment, and refinement of expression — all these charms are theirs, 

 besides others of less importance. 



There are many valuable gold mines near this place, and for that 

 reason the Spaniards fortified it, regarding it as a key to the South 

 Seas. This circumstance has tended to assist its growth and increase 

 its prosperity. As a seaport, Baldivia affords every convenience for 

 ships to go through a thorough repair, at a very moderate expense. A 

 considerable number of ship-carpenters are constantly employed here 

 in constructing small vessels, and some even as large as three hundred 

 tons burthen, which they send to Peru and the north part of Chili for 

 sale, usually meeting with a ready market. At this place, and also 

 at St. Carlos, ships may generally find a sale for part of their cargoes, 

 of the coarser kinds of goods than are used farther north. At the same 

 time, all kinds of refreshments can be had here in great abundance, 

 and at a very low rate ; the natural productions being similar to those 



* Baldivia Bay was surveyed in the year 1819, by CaptainWilliam Skiddy,eldest son of Captain John 

 R. Skiddy, of New-York. I have sailed with this gentleman, as his first officer, eighteen months, 

 and avail myself with pleasure of this occasion to bear testimony to his estimable character as a 

 man, and his superior excellence as a ship-master. 



