the deserts of Atacama, along the lower and more level road; but few or no traders or carriers ever venture to pass that way; nor is it presumed any military leader would lightly be induced to encounter its difficulties for the purpose of carrying hostilities along that route into Chili. The desert of Atacama may therefore be considered as a great natural barrier, by which it is closed on that side against both commercial and hostile visiters.

From the Andes the inclination is so great that all the rivers flow with the rapidity of torrents, and are therefore not navigable. They serve to irrigate the vallies, and render them the most fertile in the world. The climate makes this method of cultivation absolutely necessary-for from the Salado to the Ilata, that is from 25 to 360 of south latitude, not a cloud is to be seen above the horizon from the month of November to the month of May. The atmosphere, during this period, is perfectly clear, and the dews are scarcely perceptible, nor is the heat oppressive. The proximity of the Andes tempers the air, and the mercury fluctuates between 70 and 80° of Fahrenheit, and rarely rises to 85 degrees. Thunder storms, so frequent on the east of the Andes, are unknown in this part of Chili. Winter commences in the month of May; the cold is mild, and the rains gentle, and unattended with wind. The rains of the winter fertilize the hills, and the plains which cannot be irrigated during that season, afford pasture for the cattle. The spring commences in September, and the face of nature, in Chili, is then peculiarly beautiful. The hills are verdant and covered with innumerable flowering shrubs, and the plains present to the eye a carpet of flowers. The abundance of water, and the peculiarity of climate enable the inhabitants to raise all the fruits of the earth in great perfection. The wheat which is cultivated in the vallies, is of excellent quality, and the produce seldom less than forty times the seed; sometimes ninety, and on the best land, even one hundred. Indian corn is likewise cultivated, and produces abundantly. Barley is raised in great quantities for the use of horses and mules, which, in the winter, are fed on this grain mixed with chopped straw, as in Arabia and old Spain; hemp and flax grow luxuriantly. Cotton is here and there cultivated for domestic manufactures. The climate and soil is well adapted to the culture of sugar, but the inhabitants have been long accustomed to procure that article from Peru in exchange for their wheat, and are not disposed to change their ancient habits. Only a single sugar plantation is cultivated. Rice likewise would grow on the low lands, but it is also brought from Peru.

South of the river Ilata, the climate varies ; rains are frequent in the summer, and in the winter are attended by storms of wind. The grape is chiefly cultivated in these districts, and the wine is

better than where the vineyards are irrigated; the olive grows luxuriantly throughout all Chili, and the oil is of the first quality. On the banks of the river Maule, and on all the rivers south of 350 17' there is excellent timber, and the whole country abounds with forests of a thorny minosa, which makes good charcoal, and is in general used for fuel. Mines of the precious metals abound in almost every part of Chili, and their annual produce, in prosperous times, has been estimated at 3,000,000 of dollars. In the year 1825, a silver mine was discovered thirty or forty miles from Coquimbo, which is represented to be of the most extraordinary richness. The vein is about forty miles in extent, and the metal is said to merit the name of native silver; it is thought not to be mineralized, but rather mixed with quartz and feldspar. Silver to the value of half a million of dollars is said to have been dug from this mine in twenty days, and it is supposed that in one year, its produce will exceed five millions. Besides the precious metals, the copper mines of Coquimbo actually produced during the year, ending the 1st of May, 1818, amidst the difficulties of the times, 41,000 quintals, which were shipped in foreign vessels, chiefly of the United States.

The copper mines are principally situated near the coast, and are believed to be the most productive in the world. In addition to the copper, there has also been shipped from Chili, a considerable amount of tin. Of these two metals, the annual production may be estimated at about 500,000 dollars. The mines of iron and quicksilver are very abundant; mines of lead are also numerous and rich, but almost entirely neglected; antimony and fossil salt are found in great quantities; salt springs abound; sal-ammoniac and salt-petre are also abundant.

The republic of Chili is divided into the following districts or provinces, viz: Copiapa, Guasco, Coquimbo, Cusco, Petorca, Quillota, Melipilla, Santa Rosa, Rancagua, Colchagua, Curico, Maule, Chillan, Isla de Maule, Canquenes, Ilata, Puchacay, Conception de Chili, and Isla de la Laxa. The country occupied by the warlike tribes of Araucana, extends from the river Biobio, in lat. 26° 50' to the 39th degree of lat., and from the Andes to the Pacific. It is divided into four districts or provinces, by lines running from north to south. The country between the river Totlen and the southern boundary of the republic, is called Huilli Maypro. There are 82 islands in the Archipelago of Chiloe, 32 of which are inhabited by Indians or the descendants of Europeans. The largest is Chiloe, 180 miles in length from north to south, with a breadth of 60 at the widest place.

The city of Santiago is situated in the district of Melipilla, and was founded the 17th of February, 1514, by Don Pedro de Valdivia, on the south bank of the Maypu, in 330 31′ south lat.

Santiago contains 40,000 inhabitants. The plain on which the city stands, extends along the foot of the Andes, certainly to the line; and it is believed quite to the isthmus of Panama north, and south to the straights of Magellan. This is the only uniform level in Chili; from hence to the coast the descent is rapid and broken by irregular mountains and vallies. On the eastern extremity of the city rises the small rocky hill of Santa Lucia, formerly called the mountain of Gudon. These insulated hills are frequently seen on the great plain of Chili. A broad road extends round the south side of the town like the boulevards of Paris, and separates it from the suburbs, which are extensive and well built. The river is broad and shallow, and in summer flows in several channels. There are in Santiago eleven convents, seven nunneries, four parochial churches, three hospitals, an university, and a mint.

The port of Valparaiso is situated in 330 1′ 45′′ south lat., in the district of Petorca. The town extends around the bay from the castle of Saint Antonio, for nearly a mile, and is separated from Almindral, a suburb of Valparaiso, by a low beach; the houses are irregularly scattered over the sides of steep hills, which rise abruptly from the shore, and extend along the ravines of Saint Augustine, Saint Francisco, and Gomez, the ground being very broken and rugged. The country near the town is very barren, and all the supplies are drawn from Quillotta. The population of Valparaiso, including the Almindral, does not exceed 6500 souls. Conception is the third city of Chili, and is considered the metropolis of the southern part. Talcahuano, its port, is six miles distant, and has a fine harbour. Coquimbo and Copiapo have good harbours. Valdivia has one of the finest on the coast; but it has no cultivated country around it to give it importance. The city is five miles from the sea, on a river of the

same name.

The island of Juan Fernandez, off this coast, was the residence of Alexander Selkirk, whose story gave rise to the romance of Robinson Crusoe.

Government and population.-Since the liberation of Chili, in 1817, an independent republican government has been maintained the principal part of the time, under a chief magistrate, called a supreme director. A congress was convened in 1825, which framed a constitution for the republic, which now forms the basis of the government. The independence of this country has been acknowledged by the United States and Great Britain. The population of Chili, exclusive of the independent tribes of Indians, is estimated at 1,200,000 inhabitants, most of which are north of the river Biobio.

Army, navy, and commerce.-In July, 1818, the regular army of Chili amounted to 8400 men, exclusive of militia, which were

28,960; an army, respectable for its numbers and discipline, is still maintained, and is distinguished for its well known services in the liberation of Peru. A formidable navy was organized in 1818, and has ever since been efficiently employed in aiding the great cause of liberty and independence. The principal articles of export from Chili, consist of gold, siver, copper, tin, wheat, flour, hemp, cordage, hides, tallow, jerked beef, vicuna, and guanaco wool, chinchilla skins, and several kinds of dried fruits, figs, raisins, &c. The trade of Chili is chiefly carried on with the United States, England, and the neighbouring republics. Chili may be considered the granary of South America. The commerce of the United States with Chili is important and increasing; from February, 1817, to July, 1818, there was exported to Chili, by our citizens, merchandise to the amount of 1,375,000 dollars. Besides the direct commerce of the United States with Chili, which has been estimated at 2,000,000 dollars, the opening of its ports, which is one of the consequences of its independence, affords the most important advantages to the whale fishery, pursued in front of the coast of Chili, in which from fifteen to twenty American ships are engaged yearly, and also to the trade with the north west coast, in which about fifteen vessels from the United States are employed annually. Great advantages will likewise accrue to the trade, which our citizens pursue of collecting cargoes of seal skins and Sandal wood on the islands in the Pacific ocean, and carrying them to China, where they find a ready market, and the avails purchase a home cargo of great value. The settlement on Colombia river will ultimately maintain an important trade with Chili, which will afford a good market for ship, and other timber, with which that country abounds.

HISTORY

OF THE

REVOLUTION IN CHILI.

CHAPTER XIV.

Establishment of a junta―disturbance at Santiago--congress called-complaints as to the mode of election-measures of the congress-it is overthrown by the Carreras-their administration -Chili invaded from Peru--events of the war-revolution in the government-treaty concluded-dissensions among the patriots -success of the royalists-their authority re-established-expedition of San Martin-victory at Chacabaco-emancipation of the country-O'Higgins appointed director-expedition from Peru-defeat of the patriots-victory of Maypu-its effectssquadron under lord Cochrane-expedition to Peru-war with the Araucanian Indians and Benevides-piracies of Benevides -resignation of O'Higgins-establishment of a new government-general Freyre chosen director-Chili affords further succour to Peru-its fleet blockades Callao—its exploits—expedition to Chiloe-stale of the country-conclusion."

THE first revolutionary movement in Chili occurred in Santiago, where the inhabitants, in July, 1810, compelled the captain-general to resign, and count de la Conquista was appointed to succeed him, who favoured a revolution. He called together the most respectable land-holders, in September, 1810, to take into consideration the present condition of the country, and of Spain, and to decide on the measures proper to be adopted. The result was the creation of a junta, of which the count de la Conquista was president. The junta determined on assembling a congress, and prescribed regulations for the choice of representatives. The election in Santiago took place on the 11th of April, 1811, and a detachment of troops, under Don J. Figueroa, was stationed in the square of the consulado to preserve orVOL. II.

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