INTRODUCTION. 41 



pecially in the cause of independence, since he has the power of 

 opinion as well as the power of the sword along with him. 



Le premier qui Jut lioi, Jut tin Soldat heuretuc. 



But it became necessary to think of some kind of constitution for 

 the country. -Accordingly, the director named a commission for the 

 purpose of drawing up the project of a provisional government *, to 

 serve until circumstances permitted the calling together a represent- 

 ative congress. As soon as it was framed, books were opened in every 

 parish, where every head of a family, or man who had means of living 

 by his own industry, provided he was not actually accused of any crime 

 before a court of justice, was competent to enter his assent or dissent, 

 in presence of the curate, judge, and scrivener: the majority of votes 

 determined the adoption of the provisional constitution, and on the 

 23d of October it was solemnly sworn to. On the same day, agree- 

 ably to one of its articles, the director named a senate, to advise with 

 and assist him, whose province it was to make and modify laws and 

 regulations, and superintend the business of the state ; but the whole 

 executive power remained with the director, and no secretary or em- 

 ployed minister was to be admitted into the senate. Its members 

 were five : — 



Don Jose Ignacio Cienfuegos, Governor of the province of San- 

 tiago. 



Don Francisco de Borgo Fuentisilla, Governor of the City. 



Don Francisco Antonio Perez, Dean of the tribunal of Appeals. 



Don Juan Augustin Alcalde. 



Don Jose Maria Rosas. 



Each of these was provided with a deputy or proxy, in case of 

 sickness or absence. 



The first labours of the senate were naturally directed to the im- 

 provement of the finances, which, in spite of a total want of know- 

 ledge and principle in political economy, did advance considerably. 

 Their attention was then turned to the establishing schools, the 



* Projecto de Constitution provisoria para el estado de Chile, 1818. 



G 



