INTRODUCTION. 41 
pecially in the cause of independence, since he has the power of 
opinion as well as the power of the sword aJong with him. 
Le premier qui fut Roi, fut un Soldat heureux. 
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 Constitucion provisoria para el estado de Chile, 1818. 
G 
