182 JOURNAL. 



to be pursued, and a statement of the wants of the country ; con- 

 cluding with a resignation of his authority. 



The whole memorial does the Director the highest credit, except- 

 ing the resignation. This constituent, or, as it is called, preparative 

 convention, surely is not comeptent to accept it. Indeed, the mem- 

 bers appear to be aware of it, for they have insisted on his resuming 

 his authority ; and after a long and learned speech from the vice-pre- 

 sident about the Romans, and the Carthagenians, and the Phenicians, 

 a deputation waited on the Director, and conferring his office anew 

 upon him, paid him those compliments so justly due, on account of 

 his past administration. I think this transaction a mistake on both 

 sides ; the preparative convention, chosen by the Director himself, was 

 not the proper assembly into whose hands he could resign the au- 

 thority committed to him on the recovery of the freedom of Chile 

 after the day of Chacabuco, nor could he receive it anew from the 

 hands of that convention. But if an assembly, chosen by the people, 

 even in form, were to meet, then and there would these things be 

 properly done : I may be mistaken ; perhaps he understands his 

 countrymen. Of course, the meeting of the convention occasions a 

 great deal of gaiety among the women, and a great deal of specu- 

 lation among the men. Some are fixing beforehand the new custom- 

 house regulations ; some the number of old laws to be abrogated, 

 and the new to be enacted. Many are astonished that no direct pro- 

 vision is made for the navy of Chile, and the payment of both that and 

 the army, all being in arrears, so that neither soldiers nor sailors are 

 in a state to be depended on in case of necessity. But Chile is con- 

 sidered safe ; and the minister Rodriguez, acting, I presume, upon the 

 principle, that individual riches make public prosperity, is making 

 private speculations jointly with his friend Areas the merchant, and 

 purchasing with the government-money all the tobacco and spirits 

 now in the market, in contemplation of the heavy duties he means to 

 lay on these articles by the new reglamento. 



July 30th. — As there are no places of public amusement for gen- 

 tlefolks at Valparaiso, the English, when they make a holyday, go in 



