312 



militia, the king* maintains there af sufficient force 

 of regular troops for the defence of the country,* 

 but as this establishment has been augmented of 

 late^ I cannot determine the number. In Con- 

 ception, which is upon the Araucanian frontier, 

 there are two regiments, one of cavalry and one 

 of infantry. The cavalry is commanded by the 

 brigadier-general, Don Ambrosio Higgins, a 

 native of Ireland, who, by his enlightened mind 

 and excellent disposition, has gained the love^and 

 esteem of all the inhabitants. He is likewise 

 quarter-master and intcndant of the department 

 of Conception. f The infantry, as well as the 



district; these in like manner have no fixed number, sonu> 

 times exceeding one Imiidred men, and frequently falling 

 short. From tliesc companies, the recruits to supply the va- 

 cancies in the regular corps are drawn or selected. They serve 

 as guards for the prisons, and for the escort of criminals, and 

 perform snch other duties as the police demands, without 

 beins: exempted fr(\m military service when occasion requires, 

 whence all persons capable of bearing arms are enrolled in 

 these companies, except such as are imme<liatcly necessai-y for 

 ciillivating the land, and taking care of the cattle Span. Trans. 



* All the veterrm troops throughout Chili amount to one 

 tiiiOiisatuI nine hundred and seventy-six men, and consist of 

 two'conipaniesof artillery, nine of horse, including the Queen'* 

 <lragoous at Santiago, and the remainder infantry. Span, 

 Trans. 



t On the 2 1 St of November, 17S7, this gentleman was ap- 

 pointed by the king, president, governor, and captaiu-generai 



