268 



tains there a sufficient force of regular troops for the 

 defence of the country,-^ but as this establishment . 

 has been augmented of late, Î cannot determine the 

 number. în Conception, which is upon the Arau- 

 canian frontier, there are two regiments, one of ca- 

 valry and one of infantry. The cavalry is com- 

 manded b}* the brigadier- general, Don Ambrosio 

 Higgins, a native of Ireland, who by his enlightened 

 mind and excellent disposition, has gained the Jove 

 and esteem of all the inhabitants. He is likewise 

 quarter-master and intendant of the department of 

 Conception.! The infantry, as well as the artillery, 

 is under the command of two lieutenant- colonels. 

 The city of St. Jago also keeps in pay some com- 

 panies of dragoons for its protection. The revenues 

 and expenses of the government I am unable to as- 

 certain, as they have been considerably increased 

 within a few years. 



* All the veteran troops throughout Chili amount to one thou- 

 sand nine hundred and seventy-six men, and consist of two com- 

 panies of artillery, nine of horse, including the Queen's dragoons 

 at Santiago, and the remainder infantry Span, Trans. 



t On the 21st of November, 1787, this gentleman was appointed 

 by. .the king, president, governor and captain general of Chili, and 

 on the 19th of September, 1789, field-marshal of the royal arr.iies. 

 At the present time, 1792, he discharges the duties of those offices 

 with all that vigilance and attention which characterizes him, and 

 which so imjiortant a trust requires. On his first accession to 

 the government, he visited in person the northern provinces, 

 for the purpose of dispensing justice and encouraging agriculture, 

 opening of the mines, commerce and fishery. He also establish- 

 ed public schools, repaired the roads and built several cities Ibid. 



