267 



composed, as in other parts of the Spanisli dom-în- 

 ions, of several members called Regidores, who 

 are appointed for life, of a standard bearer, a procu- 

 rator, a forensic judge denominated the Provincial 

 Alcalde, an Alguazil or high sheriff, and of two con- 

 suls, or burgo-masters called Alcaldes. The latter 

 are chosen annually from among the principal no- 

 bility by the Cabildo itself, and have jurisdiction 

 both in civil and criminal causes hi the first instance. 

 The inhabitants are divided into regiments, which 

 are obliged to march to the frontiers or the sea coast 

 in case of war.* Besides this militia, the king main- 



* In the royal service, there are at present (179:) fifteen thou- 

 sand eight hundred and fifty-six militia troops, enrolled in the two 

 bishoprics of Santiago and Conception, ten thousand two hundred 

 and eighteen in the first, and five thousand six hundred and thirty- 

 eight in the latter. These military corps Avere first formed in 

 1777, during the government of Don Augustin de Jarcgui, and 

 consist of the choicest men in the kingdom. They are called out 

 only upon public occasions, and seldom perform the duty of sen- 

 tinels or patroles, enjoying this privilege in consequence of always 

 holding themselves ready for war, and continually exercisir.g 

 themselves in arms. 



Besides this regular militia, there are a great many city niiiitias 

 that are commanded by commissaries, who actas colonels. Tliey 

 have under them several companies, the number of which is vari- 

 ous and depends upon the extent of the district ; these in like 

 manner have no fixed number, sometimes exceeding one hundred 

 men, and frequently falling short. From these companies, tl«e 

 recruits to supply the vacancies in the i-egular corps are drawn 

 or selected. They serve as guards for the inisons, and for the es- 

 cort of criminals, and perform such other duties as the poiice de- 

 mands, without being exempted from military service when occa- 

 sion requires, whence all persons capable of bearing arms are en- 

 rolled in these companies, except such as are immediately neces- 

 sary for cultivating the land and taking c;ire of tiie cattle 



■Sjian. Trans. 



