76 THE BAY OF CONCEPTION. 
in comparison with other nations, and are ex- 
erting themselves to attain a more respectable 
station in the scale. 
The Chilians are chiefly indebted for their 
independence to the well-known General San 
Martin. In the year 1817, he made the cele- 
brated campaign over the Andes from Buenos 
Ayres, attacked and completely defeated the 
Spaniards, and laid the foundation of the free- 
dom of Chili. It is now governed by plenipo- 
tentiaries from all the provinces, under the 
presidency of General Freire. 
The Bay of Conception is a most eligible 
resting-place for the voyager in these seas to 
touch at, on account of its safe and commodious 
harbour, its abundant supply of provisions, and 
the healthiness of its climate. Evidently des- 
tined by nature for the central point of Chilian 
commerce, it must certainly supersede the 
unsafe roads of Valparaiso. Freire has already 
determined to establish an Admiralty in the 
neighbourhood of Talcaguana, and as much as 
possible to encourage the population of that 
part of the country. The village of Talcaguana, 
