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almost entirely cultivated. The other islands are small, and
very close to each other; hut separated by navigable channels,
which offer many dangers to the frail vessels in which the
islanders move about.
The province is divided into ten districts, or Partidos, as
follows:—
1. San Carlos, containing the northern coast of the island,
as far as Chacao.
2.. Chacao. The N.E. part of the island.
3. Carelmapu and Maullin.
4. Calbuco.
5. Dalcahue, extending from Chacao to Tenoun,
6. Quenac.
7. Quinchao.
8. Castro.
9. Lemuy.
10. Chonchi, which extends from Castro to the south extremity
of the island.
By the census of 1828, the population of the large island,
and those in its neighbourhood would appear to be, comparatively,
very considerable ; the iiumher of souls being
43,131 :* particulai-ly as the greater portion of the interior, and
much of the sea-coast, are quite uninhabited. The population
of the district of San Carlos is confined principally to the town ;
for between it and Chacao, there are very few inhabitants. At
Chacao there are only about two hundred houses, and Dalcahue
is hut thinly occupied; but Castro, Quinchao, and Lemuy, are
very populous. These three districts are the most fertile and
productive part of the island, particularly for seven or eight
miles round Castro. The peninsula opposite to that town, which
is entirely cleared, would abundantly repay its cultivators,
were industry more common among them.
Childe is governed by an ‘ Yntendente,’ or civil governor,
who exacts obedience to the constitutional laws, as well as
to the orders of the executive powers, and the resolutions of the
provincial assembly, which is composed of members, elected
* In the year 1783 tliere were 23,447 (A g U e r o s ) ; and in 1832, 43,830.
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 province.
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 Childe, the duties of Yntendente, and military commandant,^
were performed by one person. Brigadier-general
Don José 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 Mihtia, who are under the immediate control of the Yntendente,
are employed. Lor 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 congress,
one from San Carlos, and the other from Castro. At the
beginning of the year 1829, the Militia amounted to more than
seven ffiousand 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 highland
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 anchorage. On the town side there are
several batteries; but, towards the Pudeto 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 . .p