CHAPTER XVII. 
Chilée the last Spanish possession in South America—Freyre’s Expe- 
dition — Failure— Second Expedition under Freyre and Blanco — 
Quintanilla’s capitulation—Chilée taken—Aldunate placed in com- 
mand—Childée a dependency of Chile—Beagle sails to sea coast of 
Tierra del Fuego—A delaide repaired—A delaide sails—Adventure goes 
to Valparaiso—Juan Fernandez—Fishery—Goats—Dogs—Geology— 
Botany—Shells—Spanish accounts—Anson’s voyage —Taleahuano— 
Concepcion—Pinoleo —Araucanian Indians— Re-enter the Strait of 
Maghalhaens—F uegians. 
Turisland of Childe was the last place the King of Spain pos- 
sessed in South America ; and even to this day he is not without 
friends there, who would gladly restore his absolute monarchy, 
notwithstanding the advantages that are acknowledged to have 
been derived from the change of masters, and the consequent 
opening of trade, which has added very much to the comfort, 
as well as civilization of the inhabitants. 
During the struggle for independence, this island was too 
distant from the seat of war to render it important ; but when 
all other parts of Chile were freed from the king’s troops, the 
new government despatched an expedition, consisting of between 
three and four thousand men, commanded by the Director- 
General Freyre, to attack it. Upon the appearance of this expe- 
dition off the harbour of San Carlos, the Spanish governor, 
Quintanilla, was inclined to capitulate; but, instead of anchor- 
ing in the roads, the squadron proceeded to Chacao, landed 
troops there, and despatched some of their forces to Castro, 
where they were repulsed by the Spanish and native troops, 
and obliged to re-embark. In this interval, one of the ships left 
the squadron, and returned to Valparaiso, whence she was imme- 
diately ordered back ; but meanwhile the Director had embarked 
his troops, and returned to Concepcion. Not long afterwards, 
in January 1826, a second expedition, under the same general, 
sailed from Valdivia, convoyed by a strong squadron, under 
the command of Admiral Blanco. 
