311 



are by no means regular. In each capital of a 

 province there, is, or at least siiould be, a muni- 

 cipal magistracy called the Cabildo, which is 

 composed, as in other parts of the Spanish do- 

 minions^ of several members, called Regidores, 

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

 a procurator, a forensic judge, denominated the 

 Provincial Alcalde, an Alguazil, or high sheriff, 

 and of two consuls, or burgo-masters, called Al- 

 caldes. The latter are chosen annually from 

 among the principal nobility by the Cabildo 

 itself, and have jurisdiction both in civil and 

 criminal causes in 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 



* In the royal service, tliere are at present (17P2) fifteen 

 tlmusaud eight himdied and tifty-six militia troops, enrolled in 

 the two bishoprics of Santiago and Conception, ten thonsand 

 two hundred and eighteen in the first, and five thousand six 

 hundred and thirty-eight in the latter. These military corps 

 xvtrc first formed in 1777> during the government of Don 

 Augustin de Jaregui, and consist of the choicest men in the 

 kingdom. They are called out only upon public occasions* 

 and seldom perform the duly of sentinels or patroles, enjoying 

 this privilege in consequence of always holding themselves 

 ready for war, and continually exercising themselves in arms. 



Besides this regular militia, tliere are a great many city 

 militias that are commanded by commissaries, who act as 

 colonels. They have under them several companies, the 

 nuiiiber of which is various and depends upon the extent of tU* 



X 4 



