Mission of Río Bueno facts for kids

The Mission of Río Bueno (Spanish: Misión de Río Bueno) was a special kind of church outpost built by a group of priests called the Franciscans. It was located in southern Chile, near the Bueno River, in an area where the Huilliche people lived.

Originally, in 1767, another group of priests called the Jesuits (specifically, Andrés Febrés) planned to build this mission. But the Jesuits were asked to leave Spanish America in 1767. So, the Franciscans took over the project and finally built the mission in 1777.

The Mission of Río Bueno: A Historical Outpost

Planning and Establishment

The idea for the Mission of Río Bueno began in 1767. A Jesuit priest named Andrés Febrés first thought of building it. However, the Jesuit order was told to leave all Spanish lands in America that same year. Because of this, the Franciscans took over the plan. They successfully built the mission in 1777.

The Huilliche Uprising of 1792

In 1792, events connected to the mission led to a major event known as the Huilliche uprising. A historian named Diego Barros Arana wrote about what happened.

What Caused the Uprising?

According to the story, a local person named Felipe claimed to have found a letter. This letter was supposedly from the Governor of Valdivia to the leader of the mission. The letter, Felipe said, revealed a secret plan. It claimed the mission's real purpose was to make the local people trust the Spanish. Then, the Spanish would attack their warriors and force everyone into slavery.

Even though Barros Arana believed these claims were false, the story was enough to make the Huilliche people very angry. It sparked the uprising.

The Uprising Begins

The uprising started in September 1792. There were several attacks against Spanish settlers in the areas of Río Bueno and Lago Ranco. Homes were set on fire, and animals were stolen. Reports say that ten Spanish settlers were killed during these events.