VALPARAISO. 



293 



concerns the executive power ; and first, the Director, who is declared 

 to be elective, and that the office is incapable of becoming hereditary. 

 The direction is to last six years, and the Director may be re-elected 

 once for four more. He must be a native of Chile, and have resided 

 in it the five years immediately preceding his election. He must be 

 above twenty-five years of age, and he must be elected by both Cham- 

 bers of the Congress, by ballot. Two-thirds of the votes shall suffice 

 to elect a Director. The election made by the Convention this year 

 of the present Director shall be considered as the first. 



In case of the death of the Director while the Congress is not sitting, 

 the Director shall, on the 12th of February, the 5th of April, and the 

 18th of September, deposit in a box, with three several keys, to be 

 kept by several persons, a paper sealed and signed, containing the 

 names of the Regency who are to take charge of the government, 

 until his successor be appointed in Congress. As the Senate is per- 

 manent, it will co-operate with the Regency in calling together the 

 Deputies, as an extraordinary meeting of Congress, which shall sepa- 

 rate as soon as the business of the election is over. 



The Director is declared head of the army and navy. He has full 

 powers to treat with foreign nations, and to make peace and war. 

 Together with the Senate, he is to present to the bishoprics, and all 

 other ecclesiastical dignities and benefices. He has the command of 

 the treasury. He is to appoint ambassadors, to name the ministers, 

 and secretaries of state, and to name also the judges of circuits. He 

 may pardon or commute punishments. 



After setting forth these powers and privileges, there are a few 

 articles that look like restrictions ; but as I see no means of enforcing 

 them, they act rather as the fear of punishment in another world 

 does on too many sinners here, than as real limitations to absolute 

 authority. 



There are three ministers of state. 1. The Secretary for Foreign 

 Affairs ; — 2. Of the Home Department ; — 3. Of War and Marine. 

 If the Director pleases he may give two of these offices to one per- 

 son. These ministers lie under a limited responsibility, i. e. no re- 

 sponsibility at all. 



