Chili

Sources from old books

1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome

CHILI is between Peru, which is North of it, and the Patagons which are on its South towards the Streight of Magellan, and between Paragua, and the Magellanick-Land, which are on the East of it, and the Mer del Sud, which washes it on the West; its length, from North to South, extends from the 26 Degree of Latitude, unto the 46, and reaches 500 Leagues. Its breadth, from West to East, is between the 296, and 302, and sometimes 305, 306, 307 Degrees of Latitude; and sometimes likewise stretches 500 Leagues. But the Andes, bounding it almost all along the East, these Mountains in some places advance so near the Sea, that they leave it but a small breadth.

• 1.22Chili is divined into three Quarters, and these Quarters into thirteen Jurisdictions; one of the three Quarters retains the name of Chili, and contains the Jurisdictions of Serena, Quillata, and St. Jago de Chili, extending it self from the River of Copiapo, unto that of Maule; where are on the Coast the Ports of Copiapo, of Guasco, of Coquimbo, where Sir Francis Drake was repulsed, and of Valpayraso, where he surprised a Vessel laden with 25000 Pezo's of Gold of Valdivia, and a great quantity of Wines. The second Quarter advances from the River of Maule unto that of Gallegos, and is called the Imperial from one of its principal Cities: The Jurisdictions of this part are those of Conception, of Ongol or de los Infantos, of the Imperial, of Villarica, of Valdivia, of Osorno, and of Chilva. The Conception, Valdivia, and Chilva, have their Ports of the same name; that of Canten serves for the Imperial: These two Quarters of Chili and the Imperial, are between the Mer del Sud and the Andes. Beyond these Mountains in the last Quarter Chicuito or Cuyo, where are the Jurisdictions of Mendoza, and St. Juan de la Frontera. All these Jurisdictions take their Names from the principal Cities; besides which they have some others: But a word or two of some of the chief Cities in Chili,* 1.23 and first of Copiapo, seated in a Fertil Valley of the same name, and neighboured by a good, but small Haven. 2. Conception, seated in a capacious Bay, by which, and the Mountains which encompass it, which are well fortified, it is a place of good strength, so that it is made the Residence of the Governour, where he hath a strong Garrison of Spaniards. 3. L'Imperial, scituate on the Banks of the River Cauten, a place of great strength and power, esteemed one of the strongest in this Country, and is the See of a Bishop. 4. Villa Rica, 25 Leagues from the Mer del Sud, another Colony of Spaniards. 5. Valdivia, neighboured by a capacious and safe Haven, as also by rich Mines of Gold; another Colony of Spaniards. 6. Osorno plentifully stored with Mines of Gold, but seated in a barren soil. 7. Castro, built on the Bay of Ancud, in a fruitful Island, about 50 Leagues in length, and 9 or 10 in breadth. 8. St. Jago, seated on the Banks of the River Topacalma, at the Mouth whereof is a noted Haven, called, Valparaiso. and 9. Serena, scituate on the Banks of Rio de Coquimbo, not far from its influx into the Sea; a Town, though but small, yet of good strength, especially, since it is become a Colony of Spaniards; rich also in Mines of Gold.

• 1.24Chili in their Language, signifies Cold, which in regard of the Mountains of Sierra Nevada de los Andes, are said to be extreamly cold; and where reigns a certain Wind, so sharp, and piercing, that it insensibly extinguishes the natural heat, so that people often die in a moment; and then freezes, and hardens their bodies in such manner, that they corrupt not.

The Valleys and the Plains nearest the Sea, are well inhabited,* 1.25 and have the Air healthful, serene, and temperate; the soil exellent, and Fertil; though not without some difference, according as it is nearer or further from the Equator. The Quarter of Chili ought to be hotter, and that of the Imperial as hot as Spain: but the vicinity of the Mountains on one side, and the other, renders it a little colder than otherwise might be expected, as to the Climate; but yet hot enough to be one of the best Parts of America. The Valley of Copiapo yields sometimes Three hundred for one; those of Guasco, and Coquimbo are held no waies inferiour to it; that of Chili is so excellent,* 1.26 that it communicates its name to the Country. Above these Valleys are Mines of Silver, Quick-silver, Copper, Lead, and great plenty of Gold; both in the Ingots, and Sand.

• 1.27Valdivia, who was here after Almagre, and who at the beginning succeeded better than his Predecessor had done, extracted a great quantity of Gold out of this Country; and caused to be wrought several Mines of Gold, so rich, that each Indian rendred him thirty or forty Ducats daily; and when he had employed but twelve or fifteen Indians in this work, they would have yielded three or four hundred Ducats a day; and in a month, about Ten thousand; and in a year, about a hundred, or • hundred and twenty thousand Ducats. This agrees with what the Ynca Garcilasso de la Vega reports in his History, saying that the Count Valdivia had for his Portion a part of Chili, and that his Subjects rendred him the yearly tribute of a hundred thousand Pezo's of Gold. But the thirst after this Metal being instiable, and Valdivia,* 1.28 the more he received, the more still he coveted, forced to work in these Mines those Indians, who, not accustomed to so hard a labour, nor to serve so cruel a Master, resolved to rid themselves of him, and to cast off their heavy yoke: In pursuance of which, those of Arauco, and thereabouts, began the revolt; and after divers encounters, slew and took a hundred and fifty of his Horsemen.

These Arauques, with their Neighbours, assembled themselves to a Body of Twelve or thirteen thousand men; who after having been divers times beaten by Valdivia, and in all likelihood of being quite subdued; at length, an old Indian, who in all possibility, had before observed the order which the Spaniards held in their Battels, advised them to divide their men into many Squadrons; and shewed them how each Squadron, one after another, must assault the Spaniards; and that the first Squadron being broken, must rally in the tail of the last; which succeeded so well, that in the end, they so wearied the Spaniards, and their Horses; that when they began to think of a retreat, they were prevented, and utterly defeated. Some say, that Valdivia being fallen into their hands, was fastened to a Tree, and his Almoner to another, so near together, that they might discourse together, and condole one anothers misfortunes. And that the Arauques, from time to time, (though contrary to their custom, to eat human flesh) did cut off gobbets of flesh from their Leggs, Thighs, and Arms, which they caused to be roasted, boyled, or broiled, according to their several Appetites, which they did eat in the sight of these poor tormented Creatures, whilst they were finishing their daies in such a lingring death: Others say, that they took off the top of his skull, and poured melted Gold into his Brains, Mouth, and Ears, making afterwards a Goblet of his Head, and Trumpets of his Bones, &c.

• 1.29After the death of Valdivia, the Spaniards had great disadvantages in Chili, till that Gracias de Mendoza, son to the Vice Roy of Peru, had reduced part of these people to obedience, which continued for no long season; for in 1599, these people surprized the City of Valdivia, seized on the gates and chief places, invested every house, to the end nothing might escape their hands, set fire through all, killed and took prisoners 4 or 500 men, women and children, took the Fort, wherein were three hundred thousand Pezo's of Gold, besides which they carried away with them all the Arms, Ammunition, and Artillery.

After the taking of Valdivia, the Imperial was besieged, which they stoutly defended and maintained for the space of Twelve Months, and would have done longer, were it not for the Famine and sickness that so extreamly reigned amongst them, that reduced their Forces, together with the Inhabitants of the City, to about twenty men, who no longer able to defend themselves, submitted to the mercy of the Arauques; So that in the end, of 13 principal Cities that were in Chili, 6 or 7 were ruined; viz, Valdivia, l' Imperial, Ongol, Chilliam, St. Crux, la Conception, and Villarica: Osorno, in time received relief: The men found in the taken Cities were knockt on the head; they permitted the ransom of women, one of whom they gave for a pair of Spurs, a pair of stirrups, or a Horses bridle; for a Sword they would give half a dozen; but this commerce was soon Prohibited by the Vice-Roy of Peru; that Arms serviceable for War might not be put into the hands of these Barbarians.

Of those which they had got by means of this commerce, or which they gained at the taking of so many Cities, and in divers defeats of the Spaniards, they after made use, and became so dextrous, that they mounted on horseback, managed the Lance, Musket, Halberd, &c. and continued the War from 1599 to 1641 when the Marquess Vadez made peace with them. During this War there hapned a thing worthy of observation;* 1.30to wit, In 1614, a Ship of Biscay bringing relief to the Spaniards that were in the Fort of Arauque, it unfortunately fell out that it suffered a Shipwrack on the Coast, so that the men fell all into the hands of the Arauques, who immediately slew them all, save only the Trumpeter, who being about to pass the same Fate with his Fellows, thought he would once more sound before he died, which saved his life.

• 1.31The reason of the last revolt of the Arauques was, that after having served the Spaniards for near 50 years, and being for the most part become Christians, the Spaniards had yet taken some of their wives and children, and sold them away into perpetual and cruel servitude, which made them not only resolve to cast off the Spanish yoke, but likewise to renounce Christianity.

Unde the name of Arauques are comprehended the Inhabitants of the Mountains, and Valleys of Arauco, Tucapel, and Puren; which are between the Conception, the Imperial and Ongol. Peace being made with these people, there rested in Chili none but the Pulches as enemies to the Spaniards: but these Pulches being beyond the Andes, they have little to do with them; and the Country is restored to a good estate, and the Cities better rebuilt.

• 1.32LA CONCEPTION is at present walled with walls of stone, hath a Cittadel; and because the Governour of the Province resides here, though the soil be ingrateful, the Inhabitants have so tilled, manured, and so embellished it with Gardens, that it is become one of the pleasantest abodes of Chili. Valdivia is scituated on an elevated ground, which with the addition of Art, is held one of the strongest in Chili.

The Jurisdiction of St. Jago hath under it more than 80000 Indians, which are divided into 26 Partimiento's, or parts; that of the Imperial hath as many; Osorno 200000, Castro del Chilve 12 or 15000 only, the other Jurisdictions more or less.

• 1.33The Natives of Chili are for the most part 6 Foot high, well proportioned, strong, active, warlike, and cruel when they have the advantage of their enemies; of a white complexion, their Garments for the most part are skins of beasts, their common Arms are Bows and Arrows.

• 1.34The Country is subject to Earth-quakes, the soil in the midland is for the most part Mountainous, and unfruitful; towards the Sea-side, level, fertil, and well watered with Rivers, which makes it yield plenty of Wheat, Mayz, and other Graius; which, as also their Vines, were transported from Spain hither, which now are so abundantly increased that they often furnish Peru. Nor doth any Country in all America afford more Cattle than this doth, their Sheep like those of Peru, are very large;* 1.35 they have here long Pepper, abundance of Honey, good Fruits and Plants, but their chiefest riches is drawn from the Gold and Silver.

In the Mountains of the Andes, though very cold, are 12 or 15 Vulcans, which perpetually vomit fire: These Vulcans take their name from the Vallies where they have their rise, or from Cities or Towns there adjacent.