1829. GOVERxVMENT DEFENCE. 



by the people, at the rate of one deputy for 7,500 souls ; but 

 whatever the number may be, short of 90,000, twelve deputies 

 are to be elected. The duration of the assembly is biennial, and 

 its business is to superintend the civil regulations of the pro- 

 vince. 



Under the Yntendente each province has a local governor, 

 whose principal duties are to maintain order, preside in the 

 municipal meetings, see their regulations carried into execution, 

 and obey the orders of the Yntendente of the province. Whilst 

 we were at Chiloe, the duties of Yntendente, and military com- 

 mandant, were performed by one person. Brigadier-general 

 Don Jose Santiago Aldunate ; but, upon his resignation, the 

 offices were separated : the military commandant retaining the 

 charge of the treasury. The duties of the military chief, are to 

 dispose of the troops under his command, as he sees occasion, 

 so as to ensure the quietness, and subordination of the province, 

 for which he is responsible ; and to render the Yntendente such 

 assistance as he may require ; but, for all ordinary purposes, 

 the Militia, who are under the immediate control of the Ynten- 

 dente, are employed. For the administration of the law there 

 is a Judge (Juez de letras), who tries all civil as well criminal 

 actions. The province sends two deputies to the Chilian con- 

 gress, one from San Carlos, and the other from Castro. At the 

 beginning of the year 1829, the Militia amounted to more than 

 seven thousand men, and the regular troops to three hundred 

 and thirty, which was quite sufficient for the province. 



The port of San Carlos is capable of being well defended, 

 and, during the time of the Spaniards, was in a good state of 

 defence. The entrance was protected by a battery on the high- 

 land of the Corona, and by the castle of Aguy, which effectually 

 commands it. Farther in, on the same side of the port, was the 

 small, but well-placed, two-gun battery of Barcacura ; close 

 under which is the anchorao:e. On the town side there are 

 several batteries; but, towards the Fudeto it is weak, although 

 capable of being made very strong. Fort San Carlos, which, 

 for some years past, has been used as a cemetery, was well- 

 selected as to position, and constructed in a manner very 



VOL. I. T 



