270 



MIGRATION OF SPANISH SETTLERS. 



1550-^70. 



harassing war against the Spaniards, in which the above-men^ 

 tioned cities were all destroyed, and the greater number of their 

 inhabitants put to death. 



The destruction of the city of Osorno caused the province 

 of Chiloe, or, at least, the adjacent districts of Calbuco and 

 Carelmapu, to be occupied. This town, being more distant 

 from the seat of war, where the main body of the Indian army 

 was actively employed, was enabled to hold out for some time ; 

 but, at last, cut off from assistance, prevented from com- 

 municating with friends, and utterly destitute of supplies, the 

 inhabitants retired to the fort, or citadel ; which they main- 

 tained, until compelled, by absolute want of provisions, to 

 abandon their position, and proceed to the south, with a view 

 of establishing themselves in Carelmapu and Calbuco ; where 

 they hoped to be safe from attack. 



Their retreat was attended by much suffering ; many died 

 from fatigue, and many were cut off by the Indians, who hovered 

 about them and murdered all who fell into their hands.* At 

 last they reached their destination, and established themselves 

 first at Carelmapu, which is on the main-land, on the north side 

 of the Boca de Chiloe, opposite to San Carlos ; and afterwards 

 at Calbuco, on an island at the entrance to the Gulf of Relon-. 

 cavi. The latter position by its insularity, was effectually pro- 

 tected against any attack from Indian tribes, who, for many 

 years, continually harassed the inhabitants of Carelmapu. 



At what date this journey was made does not appear ; nor is 

 it certain that these places were occupied before the foundation 

 of the city of Castro, in 1566, by the Licentiate Lope Garcia 

 de Castro, in pursuance of an order from the Viceroy of Peru, 

 Marshal Don Martin Ruiz de Gamboa.-|- 



The island of Chiloe, from its situation, is a place of con- 

 siderable importance, and may be termed the key of the Pacific, 



• A very full and detailed account of this journey is given by AgUeros, 

 in his * History of the Province of Chiloe,' pp. 50 to 56, as well as in the 

 ' Chronicles of the Province of Lima, hy Padre Fr. Diego de Cordova,' 

 Salinas, chap. xvii. p. 485. 



t AgUeros, 1. c. p. 57. 



