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10] ANNUAL REGISTER For the YEAR 1772. [14

Whether it was, that the fugitives spread their own animosity wherever they went, among a people who were already too well disposed to receive it, or that the same causes will at certain times produce equal effects, in those who hold no commerce, or communion of sentiments; certain it is, that the same spirit ran now like an infection through the slaves of all denominations, and from them passed to those Indian tribes that were settled among the Portugueze. Frequent insurrections accordingly took place in different parts of the country, and though they were defeated, they could not, from its extent, be subdued; they only retired to more remote and independent nations of Indians, who first granted them protection, and afterwards assistance.

The insurgents, and confederate Indians, have since brought an army into the field, consisting, it is said, of near 20000 men; a bloody action has passed between them and  comparatively small body of Portugueze, who with the assistance of a train of artillery, defeated them with great slaughter. The circumstances however attending this victory, were not of a nature to afford much satisfaction to the conquerors, The Portugueze, besides their artillery, were abundantly provided with arms and ammunition, both of which the insurgents and their allies were very deficient in; notwithstanding this fatal impediment, they fought with uncommon bravery, till they had expended, with the few arms they were possessed of, their whole stock of powder and shot; after which they made a most admirable retreat, notwithstanding the fire of the cannon; having shewn as much judgment in the latter part of the action, as they had resolution in the first; a circumstance rarely heard of among barbarous nations.
   When such a spirit is shewn by people long habituated to oppression and servitude, it can be no matter of surprize, that those brave and unconquered tribes of Indians in Chili, who have for near three centuries withstood all the power and artifice of the Spaniards, should still watch over their liberties with he same unremitting vigilance, which had hitherto so happily preserved them. It may however be observed, that certain passions and dispositions of the mind, operate at certain seasons like epidemical diseases, upon large bodies of people, who have no connection in interests, nor commerce in opinions.
   It is well known, that Spain has had the painful office for some ages, of realizing the fable of the dragon that never slept, with respect to the invaluable gold mines that are in the countries of the free Indians of Chili, which she guards with unceasing care from the approaches of all others, while she is herself tormented by the knowledge of their worth, and the brave possessors will not suffer her to gratify her avarice by the smallest advantage from them. In consequence of this jealousy, the Spaniards made early and repeated attempts to become entire masters of the island of Chiloe, which from its length, and nearness to the coast of Chili, which it covers for a considerable extent, as well as its being full in the way from Cape Horn, and the streights of Magellan, would effectually prevent 
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vent the opening of a commercial intercourse between any foreigners and the natives of that country.
   The spirit of liberty, and the intrepidity of the natives, prevented this design from being ever put fully in execution. The Spaniards however, either in or about the time of their great General Baldivia, made a settlement upon the island, and erected a considerable town called Castro, which they fortified, and added some forts for its greater security. After this town had continued in their hands for near two centuries, the watchful jealousy of the Indians proved at length superior to the care of the garrison and the strength of the fortifications, insomuch that they by some means became masters of it about seven years ago, when they burnt and destroyed it totally.
   It is probable that the late voyages of the English and French in the South Seas, together with the settlement of Falkland's island, were the immediate motives, that induced the Spaniards to form a design of re-establishing their settlement at Castro. To answer this purpose, three ships full of men, arms, and stores, were dispatched early in the year, by the viceroy of Peru to Chiloe; which having ar- March 27th. 1772. [For the YEAR 1772. [11 ] [Top of next page] rived off the ruins of Castro, attempted to land the men; but were repulsed by the natives, who ran down in great numbers to the sea shore, with such weapons as were next to hand, as soon as they perceived their design. The boats being obliged to return to the ships, they brought their broadsides to bear upon the shore, and discharged their artillery with such execution upon the defenceless bodies of the Indians, that a considerable slaughter was soon made among them; and they were obliged to disperse. Having effected their landing, they took a formal possession of the country in the name of the king of Spain, and immediately set about the construction of their works; at the same time dispatching an express with the greatest expedition, to acquaint the viceroy of Peru with their success.
   This affair was thought of so much consequence by the viceroy, that he immediately sent nine large vessels, (which it seems must have been ready prepared for the purpose) with a considerable body of troops, and all manner of necessary stores, to support and compleat the new establishment. We have no particular detail of the subsequent transactions; but find upon the whole, that the Spaniards were obliged so soon after to abandon the island, that it is evident they had not time to bring their works to any degree of perfection.
   Whether this attempt of the Spaniards, alarmed the continental Indians with respect to their own security, or that they resented the injury to their island brethren, as a cause common to them all, we are not told. However this was, the free nations of Chilese in the interior parts of the country, immediately after assembled in arms, and a general insurrection, as speedily took place, among those who had lived under the Spanish government on different parts of the coast. The city of Baldivia, by much the most considerable in Chili, and the emporium of the richest gold mines that the Spaniards are possessed of, was the first object of their fury. They

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