(584 ulloa's voyage to south America. 



panics of militia of Santiago, Quillota, Melipilla, Aconcagua, and Rancagua; and 

 thefe in all amount to between two or three thoufaiid men, and are formed into troops 

 and companies. Rancagua, when Santiago and Colchagua are threatened, is alfo 

 to fend fuccours thither ; and the fame duty lies on Chilian with regard to Conception. 

 In thefe cafes notice is conveyed with fuch difpatch, that they are fpeedily at their 

 rendezvous, all they have to do, being to mount their horfes and repair to their 

 ftation with the ufual pace ufed in that countay, which is always a gallop ; and thus 

 the militia of this country may be faid to ride poft to the parts where danger calls 

 them. 



CHAP. IX, — Commerce of Chili. — Methods ufed to keep up a good Harmony •with the^ 



wild Indians, 



IN my defcription of the city of Conception, I mentioned the inchanting beauties of 

 the neighbouring countries ; and the exuberant returns of nature for the hufbandman^s 

 toil. The like profufion of natural productions is feen all over this kingdom. Its 

 plains^ eminences, valleys, in fhort the whole country to the fmalleil portion of 

 ground, is an objeft of admiration. Every particle of earth in this amazing fertility 

 feems transformed in feed. The country round Santiago, as it is not inferior in plea- 

 fantnefs and fertility to that of Conception, fo alfo from the great affinity to the 

 climates, its produds are nearly the fame. Accordingly fome farmers wholly apply 

 themfelves to corn, others to fattening of cattle ; fome confine themfelves to the breed- 

 ing of horfes, and others to the culture of vines and fruit-trees. The firft find their 

 account in plentiful harvefts of wheat, barley, and particularly in hemp, which thrives 

 here furprifmgly, and furpaifes thofe of the former. The fecond, at their large 

 flaughters, have great quantities of tallow, gralfa, charqui, and fole leather tanned. 

 Of the goat-fkins is made Cordovan leather ; fome tallow is alfo procured from thofe 

 creatures. Wines are made here of feveral forts, and though not fo excellent as 

 thofe of Conception, they are very palatable and of a good body ; brandy is alfo 

 diftilled from them. Thefe are the principal articles of the adive commerce of this king- 

 dom with Peru, which it fupplies with wheat, tallow, and cordage ; and by the moft 

 careful eftimate, the quantity of wheat fent annually from Santiago to Callao, amounts 

 to 140,000 Tanegas, each weighing one hundred and fifty-fix pounds ; about eight 

 thoufand quintals of cordage ; and between fixteen and twenty thoufand quintals of 

 tallow: befides fole leather, nuts, filberts, figs, pears, and apples j gralfa, charqui, 

 and neat tongues : the three lafl being no inconfiderable articles. 



The more northern parts of the kingdom, as Coquimbo, produce olives, the oil of 

 which is preferable to that of many parts of Peru; but being a natural commodity of 

 that kingdom, and confequently not an article of exportation, is confumed at home. 

 The country about Santiago, likewife, produces good olives ; but in no great quantity, 

 the genius of the inhabitants having not hitherto led them to make large plantations of 

 thofe trees. 



Befides the commerce carried on with Peru in provifions, there is that of metals, 

 this kingdom abounding in mines of all kinds, but principally of gold and copper, 

 which we fhall briefly confider. 



The moft famous gold-mine known in Chili, is called Petorca, and lies in a country 

 eaft of Santiago. This gold was formerly highly efteemed, and found in great plenty ; 

 but now, on afM:ount of a whitifh tinge, the value of it is confiderably dirainifhed. 



12 This 



