sentences:  After three months of operations under Gaínza's command, the royalists had increased the territory under their control, taking Talcahuano and Concepción, but the royalist force had been seriously weakened.Because of this, the arrival of English Commodore James Hillyar with instructions from Viceroy Abascal to negotiate with the rebels was considered opportune.After negotiations, Gaínza signed the Treaty of Lircay, committing himself to leave the Province of Concepción.