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303. 23. This city is the second in the kingdom. At its commence- 

 ment it flourished greatly, from the vast quantities of gold that 

 were dug in its vicinity ; but after the unfortunate battle of Mar- 

 riqueno in th€ year 1554, it was abandoned by Vijlagran the go- 

 vernor, and the inhabitants, on the approach of Lautaro, the Arau- 

 canian general, and by him taken and burned. It was, however, 

 rebuilt in the month of November of the following year after a 

 period of six months, but Lautaro, returning, again rendered him- 

 self master of it, slew in the assault the greater part of the garri- 

 son, and razed it to its foundations. Don Garcia de Mendoza, af- 

 ter his victories over Caupolican, restored it anew and fortified 

 it strongly. Having successfully resisted the attempt of the Arau- 

 canians to take it, who besieged it for fifty days, it continued to 

 flourish in great splendour until the year 1603, when, with the other 

 southern cities of the Spaniards, it was taken and burned by the 

 Toqui Paillamachu. It soon, however, began to rise again from 

 its ashes, and resume its former lustre, in consequence of the 

 great commerce which was carried on there ; and becoming mch'e 

 strong and populous than ever the Araucanians ceased to molest 

 it. But in the year 1730 a calamity of a new kind assailed it. It 

 was almost totally destroyed by an earthquake, attended by an 

 inundation of the sea which overflowed the greater part, and 

 swept away every thing that it met in its course. Notwithstand- 

 ing these repeated misfortunes, the inhabitants obstinately re- 

 solved to persevere, and built it anew in a handsome manner, bat 

 did not enjoy it long, for in the month of May of the year 1751, 

 this devoted city was again destroyed by an earthquake and an 

 influx of the sea, which entirely covered it. They fortunately 

 escaped and took refuge on the neighbouring hills, but continued for 

 thirteen years in an unsettled state, not being able to agree among 

 themselves in rebuilding the city. At length they resolved to 

 abandon its former site, and founded a new city, at the distance of 

 a league from the sea, in a beautiful plain, called Mocha, upon 

 the northern shore of the Bio-bio. The Prefect, or Corregidor 

 is at the same time, by' the royal, decree, commander of the 

 army, this being the principal place for the rendezvous of the 

 militia of the country. It has for many years been the residence 

 of the camp-master-general, and of late that of the serjeant 

 major. The royal treasury in this place, from whence the soK 

 diers of the frontiers, as well as those belonging to the city, are 

 paid, is confided to the care of a treasurer, £i caslner, and an 

 inspector. The Audienza, or royal council, was first established 



