1832. SITUATION — ADVANTAGES. 105 



small houses : — more were not required for the inhabitants, 

 who, including the garrison, only amounted to four hundred 

 souls. Some half-dozen brass guns were in a serviceable con- 

 dition ; and two or three other pieces occupied old carriages, 

 but did not seem to be trustworthy. 



The fort was commenced in April 1828, by a French 

 engineer, named Parchappe. The first commandant was Es- 

 tomba : his successor. Morel, was killed, with ninety followers, 

 by a party of Indians under Chenil, in 1829. Valle and Rojas 

 succeeded, and the latter was followed by Rodriguez. Placed 

 in the first instance as an advanced post, at which to watch 

 and check the Indians, rather than as a colony likely to increase 

 rapidly, Argentina has scarcely made any progress since its 

 establishment, though it is the beginning of what may here- 

 after be a considerable place. Situated favourably for com- 

 municating with Concepcion — by way of the pass through the 

 Cordillera, near Tucapel — it is also the only port, between 

 25° S. and Cape Horn, capable of receiving in security any 

 number of the largest ships. 



There is pasture for cattle near the streams which descend 

 from the ' Sierra Ventana :' large salinas (spaces covered with 

 salt) lie within an easy distance of the settlement : of brush- 

 wood for fuel there is plenty, though there are no large trees : 

 and report says that there are valuable minerals, including coal 

 and iron,* in the Ventana-f- mountain. 



The most serious objection to the locality, as an agricul- 

 tural, or even as a mere grazing district, is the want of rain. 

 Two or three years sometimes pass without more than a slight 

 shower; and during summer the heat is great. In winter, 

 there are sharp frosts, sometimes snow; but neither ice nor 

 snow ever lasts through the day. 



Good fresh water may be generally obtained, independent 

 of the few running streams, by digging wells between four and 



• I believe there is no good foundation for this report. Mr. Darwin's 

 opinion is against the supposition. 



t The name ' Ventana' was given because of an opening, at the south 

 side, resembling a window. , 



