140 



named the second as governor, on learning the death 

 of that general, quitted Cujo, where it appears he 

 eíFected nothing of importance, and with sixty men 

 who were left of his detachment, returned to Chili, 

 determined to possess himself of the government 

 either by favour or force. His pretensions must in- 

 fallibly have produced a civil war between Villagran 

 and himself, with great detriment to the success of 

 the Spaniards, had they not both consented to sub- 

 mit their claims to the decision of the Royal Audi- 

 ence of Lima. This court, whose jurisdiction at 

 that time (1555) extended over the whole of South- 

 America, did not think proper to commit the go- 

 vernment to either, but in their place directed that 

 the Corregidors of the cities should have the com- 

 mand, each in his respective district, until farther 

 orders. 



The inhabitants, perceiving the in©onveniences 

 that must result from this poliarchy, especially in 

 time of war, sent a remonstrance to the Court of 

 Audience, who hearkened to their reasons, and ap- 

 ponted Villagran to the command, as more expe- 

 rienced in the business of the kingdom than Aguirre, 

 but conferred on him only the title of Corregidor, or- 

 dering him at the same time to rebuild the city of 

 Conception. Although he was convinced of the 

 inutility of this measure, yet, to evince his obedi- 

 ence, he proceeded thither immediately with eighty- 

 five families, whom he established there, and defend- 

 ed with a strong fortification. 



The natives of the country, indignant to be ren- 

 dered again subject to a foreign yoke, had recourse 



