CHAPTER XL 



POLITICAL HISTORY OF CHILI. 

 1839. 



Of the early political history of Chili, we found it difficult to obtain 

 any correct information. There is no publication existing at this date, 

 which furnishes any satisfactory account of the republic in its first 

 struggles to establish itself. 



Nearly all the principal actors in its busy scenes are yet living, and 

 not so advanced in age, but they entertain hopes of a change from day 

 to day, that may restore them to power and importance. These, 

 together with the factions that were connected with them, watch with 

 anxiety every turn of public opinion ; and with one or the other of 

 them, most of the educated Chilians, who alone are capable of giving 

 an account, are more or less identified. 



For this reason, only partial statements can be obtained from any of 

 them. Those who keep aloof from party, are too timid to express any 

 opinion on political subjects, as it might involve them in difficulty. 

 The few foreigners whose long residence in the country would enable 

 them to furnish facts, are so biassed by their prejudices towards 

 different administrations, that no dependence can be placed upon their 

 statements. The inequality of rule of the Chilian administrations 

 makes it difficult to follow their history, and one is left to the barren 

 sources of information afforded by government proclamations, and the 

 official reports of the day, always more or less erroneous and exagge- 

 rated, in favour of the ruling party. Under these difficulties, it will not 

 be surprising if the following outline of its history for the last twenty 

 years, should in a few particulars be erroneous; it is, however, believed 

 to be correct, having been drawn from sources that are most to be 

 relied on and entitled to credit, and that were at the time attainable. 



After the battle of Chacabuco and Maypo, in which O'Higgins 



(211* 



