Pedro de Valdivia, the conqueror and colonizer of Chile, has yet to have a definitive biography. Jaime Eyzaguirre has attempted to remedy this fact by publishing Ventura de Pedro de Valdivia, but the attempt does not meet with any stunning success.
Valdivia’s career began in Italy, fighting in the wars against the French monarch. In 1535 he arrived in the New World, going first to Venezuela. But the territory did not appeal to him and he left, enlisting in 1536 in an expedition to Peru to reinforce the embattled Spanish garrisons. He became a friend of Francisco Pizarro, contributing his military knowledge and experience to the conqueror during the struggle with Diego de Almagro, Pizarro’s embittered former partner. After the victory over Almagro, Valdivia was rewarded by being named commander of an expedition to the southern territories.
The core of the book is concerned with the problems Valdivia faced upon embarking from Peru and finally arriving in the territory of Chile; the often open hostility of his troops, because of opposition to his tactics and jealousy of his power and authority; the Indian problem, the fact that there were not enough Indians available for work and those that were present were not amenable to forced labor; the difficulties in founding settlements, and the isolation of the colony from Peru, isolation which resulted in few reinforcements and supplies reaching the settlements. The latter difficulty constantly plagued Chile, and Valdivia resolved to establish firmer bonds between Lima and the southern settlements. To this end he returned to Peru, after learning of the Gonzalo Pizarro revolution, and, according to Eyzaguirre, gave decisive aid to the forces of Pedro de la Gasca, who was attempting to restore royal authority in the area. Valdivia’s demonstration of loyalty to the Crown resulted in his being confirmed governor of the colony, having already been elected to the office by the colonists, and, furthermore, he obtained the promise of aid for his colonization schemes. He also answered the accusations leveled at him by his enemies, and returned to Chile, with La Gasca’s blessing, to continue the exploration and pacification of the territory. Valdivia’s work came to an abrupt and untimely end, however, at the hands of his Indian enemies.
The outline of Valdivia’s life is a familiar one and nothing startling is added. Eyzaguirre relies on a number of sources, quoting extensively from Valdivia’s letters, but no footnotes are used. An adequate bibliography is included, however. Eyzaguirre’s general approach to Valdivia is a sympathetic one. He is portrayed as a visionary and builder of a new society and, hence, a new nation. Most of Valdivia’s forceful actions to achieve this end are thereby excused. Inés Suárez, Valdivia’s mistress or confidant, is also mentioned and is credited with playing a substantial role in the colony.
Although the book does not provide a substantially new interpretation to the history of the conquest of Chile, it makes for interesting reading. Recognizing Eyzaguirre’s obvious preference for Valdivia, the book remains as a compilation of the problems encountered in colonizing this territory.
