CHAPTER XVII. 



Chil6e the last Spanish possession in South America — Freyre's Expe- 

 dition — Failure — Second Expedition under Freyre and Blanco — 

 Quintanilla's capitulation — Chiloe taken — Aldunate placed in com- 

 mand — Chil6e a dependency of Chile — Beagle sails to sea coast of 

 Tierra del Fueg-o — Adelaide repaired — Adelaide sails — Adventure goes 

 to Valparaiso — Juan Fernandez — Fishery — Goats — Dogs — Geology — 

 Botany — Shells — Spanish accounts — Anson's voyage — Talcahuano — 

 Concepcion — Pinoleo — Araucanian Indians — Re-enter the Strait of 

 Maghalhaens — Fuegians. 



The island 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. 



