Page:A history of Chile.djvu/110

g8 A HISTORY OF CHILE immediately sent orders to Chile to the effect that war should cease, that lasting peace should be con- cluded with the Araucanians and that the river Biobio should henceforth be considered the boundar}' of the Spanish possessions. The priest was placed at the head of the government, which had been for a short time conducted by Juan de .Xara Quemada, but Valdivia refused to exercise any civil authority what- ever, and selected Alonzo de Rivera for the office, which nomination was confirmed and that person recalled to Chile. Upon his arrival in Chile in 1612, the priest at once communicated with the Araucanians relative to the proposed treaty. He brought with him a letter from Philip, but to all of this Aillavilu gave little heed, as he supposed it merely a pi6ce of Spanish deception. He was, however, soon succeeded in the toquiship by Ancanamon, who thought it the part of wisdom and good policy to send the ulmen, Carampangui, to confer with Valdivia. The result of the conference was, that Valdivia met a deputation of fifty of the Araucanian chieftains at Nancu in the province of Catiray, and to these he read the royal letter and made known the terms of the proposed treaty". The assembled caciques listened attentivelj'-, thanked the priest for his efforts, and promised to make a further report to their com- mander. When Valdivia had returned to Concepcion accom- panied by Carampangui, Governor Rivera, pleased with the progress already made toward establishing peace, sent an ensign, Pedro Melendez, to Ancanamon with the king's letter and a request that he should come to Paicavi to confer with him in respect to the treaty. The toqui went with a small guard, and was received with due honors. Then the terms