Ch.VIII. south AMERICA. 265 



where refides a corregidor, who is nominated by the 

 prefident of Chili. It has alfo regidores and alcaldes 

 chofen annually. Befides the parifh church here, is a 

 convent of Francifcans, another of the Fathers of Mer- 

 cy, and a college of Jefuits. The ifland is every 

 where well peopled with Spaniards, Meftizos, and 

 chriftian Indians. 



The kingdom of Chili has continually a body 

 of regular troops, confiding of five hundred men, 

 for garrifoning Valparaifo, a fort at Conception, 

 and thofe on the frontiers. One half ot this body is 

 infantry and the other cavalry. Under the major 

 general who commands in chief is a ferjeant major, 

 whofe duty it is to render them expert in all the various 

 parts of military exercife ; and that he may more con- 

 veniently render them ready at their feveral evolutions, 

 he refides at the fort of Jumbal, which lies in the 

 center of the others. To thefe alfo belong a com- 

 mifiiary general of the horfe, whofe poft is at Arauco, 

 and in the abfencc of the general has the command. 

 Thefe troops have alfo a mufter-mafler general, who 

 refides at Conception. The Handing forces of Chili, till 

 the beginning of this century, confilled of two thou- 

 fand men but the great charge of fupporting fuch a 

 body of troops, occafioned them to be reduced to the 

 prefent number. 



The produce of the revenue offices at Santiago and 

 Conception, not being fufficient to defray the expences 

 of even this fmall body, a remittance of 100,000 dol- 

 lars, is every year fent from Lima, half iu fpecie, and 

 half in cloaths, and other goods. But fix or eight 

 thoufand is annually deduded out of this fum for re- 

 pairing the forts of the frontiers, and making prefents 

 to the deputies of the Indians who attend at confe- 

 rences, or to fatisfy thofe who complain to the prefir 

 dent of injuries received. 



Valdivia alfo receives from the treafury of 

 ILiima, an annual fupply of 70,000 dollars, 30,000 



in 



