The Washington union., 1857-05-09
THE PAST AND THE PRESENT CONDITION OF


According to the most reliable authorities, this
fourshing republic comprises 10 provinces, so de-
partments 36G sub-delegatons, l,646 districts
ering an area of 249952 square miles, and contains
population of 1,l33,862 souls With the exception
of the republics of Paraguay and Uruguay Chill
stitutes the smallest of the South American repub
lies, though its thrifty and intelligent population
nearly equals in point of numbers, the united popu-
ations of Uruguay, Paraguay, and the Argentine
confederation. The chief seaport, Valparaiso from
an insignificant village has risen to the Importance
of great commercial city, which, notwithstanding
its constantlyincreasing improvements, is almost too
small at the present day, for the accommodation of
its crowded population. In 1888, learn from a
valuable document issued from the Department
of States the value of imports into Chill reached
$80OOO0O; in 1s40, Sl3,0O0OO0; and in 1843, $ls,-
O0000O while the rapid progress of its export trade
has been equally indicative of the domestic industry
and commercial enterprise Of its citizens. The fire.
quent political convulsons of its neghboring repub
lie, Perm, have been productive of much embarrass
both in the civil and political administration of
the government ofChili but now, such is the stabil
y of its government and wellsettled and so deep
lyrooed in the minds of all Chans are sound prin-
cipes of political economy and just ideas Of consti
tutional liberty, that may henceforth regard Chill
as occupying, next to our own republic, the highest
rank in the family Of free nations and nobly vindca
ting by its example, and illustrating by its progress
the capacity Of man for selfgovernnent
The following letter, dated Santiago, (du Chilli }
November 3O 1885, we find in the February number
Of the Reuue de Ia Science Economi9ue published in
Paris and transfer it to our columns not only be-
cause Of the gratifying expose it presents Of the pres
ent highly prosperous condition of sister repub-
lie, but for the valuable and interesting commercial
statistics with which it is enriched
~ transmit some documents compiled chiefly from
official publications. which relate to the economical his
tory of Chill during the year 1885, and which will form
appropriate sequel to my dispatches published in the
Journal ds Etonomses of February l5 1855. There
but three important facts to signalze lst the peaceful
renewal for period Of five years. of the powers Of the
actual President Of the republic Don Manuel Montt 3D.
the commencement of operations the railroad from
Santiago TO Ialca; 3d. the PRONUNCIATION Of the civil
CODE The preservation Of public tranquility during the
presidential excitement is neither
event in Chill but inasmuch as it is unhapply
ceponal event in the Spanish American republics it
to be specially noted because it is the har-
bnger Of industrial prosperity
sIhe commencement Of operations on the railroad
from santiago To IaCA evidences new in the
spirit OF enterprise. 1t is to he regretted that at the
very opening OF this work. certain facts transpired which
discovered miscievous administrative inexpelience In
the directors OF the company which forced fellow
countryman, NJ Emile Chevaer to resign his charge as
chief engineer the railroad But, in every enterprise
and In every country must begin scholars and inn
prove from the lessons of experience 1t is be hoped
that the company will proceed with sufficient firmness
and patience to repair the blndes into which they have
fallen.
1.-THE promugaton Of the civil code Is an event Of the
greatest importance The civil legislation heretofore in
force based upon collection Of ancient
texts of laws and ordinances compiled at different pc
riods and frequently Of the most contradictory carac
ter Among these texts, the most notable tine cec-
brated code of Alphonse the learned las Sas Pardas
promulgated in 1850 We easily imagine that this
CODE complied six centuries ago for the kingdoms of Leon
and Castillo and modified by the later ordinances of the
Kings of Spain must be somewhat obscure and not very
well suited to the exigecies the ideas Of American
people In the middle of the nineteenth century The
new code compiled by Don Andres Beo the most dis
tinguished civilian and author of Spanish America is
presented in style of remarkable pepcacty and elegant
simplicity The compiler and the committee Of revision
with the actual President OF the republic at its head
avaled themselves of all the improvements the legs
ation of Europe and the result Of their labors
neny worthy Of approval and study The code will be
put In force january J. 1851 but its benecent influences
will be extended to generations yet unborn. .
"Ihe last census having been taken in 1854, the
rent year has not been sgnazed by any great statistical
production, and must therefore, to the annual
Reports 1Or sucn may prove OF interest
The aggregate of revenue received in the treasury in 1856
So 287 526, showing increase 1854 Of $341
309 This increase resulted from augmentation in the
aggregate amount Of existing mposs without the mpo
ston Of any new duties. The branches Of revenue in
which the notable increase IL observed the duties
arising from the sale of lands (alcaala) customs tobac
co. and postages.
Another indication of the prosperity of Chill is to be
found in the progressive of foreign commerce
The mporatons in 1855 have risen to SIS 43S 287 or
81 9SS the amount of the preceding year while
the exports reached high SIT G7691l 1855
those of 1854 The great increase of exports in
the articles of cereals "copper" and silver in bars and in
the The precise augmentation In cereals and -four
covered about 81 000, ,000 while that Of minerals and
metals reached equal figure The products of the
mines and rencres Of Chill have given to foreign
mcrce during the year 1885, an official value Of $lO
3l6 4S8 though the administration of customs estimates
the real value at 81, 500 900 more.
1t is observable that the animal products of agrcu
tural industry, such WOOL chargm dried becf) salt
meats, horses, &C., have diminished. In Europe this
would be indication of the decline of agricultural in
dustry. Here however, it IL otherwise. Chill is
chiefly agricultural country extensive plantations
opened and the vast herds of cattle and horses which
abound i'm Chill left to the spontaneous productions
of the uncultivated soil So long California and
raia offered good market for their cereals and -four
the extent Of these natural pastuages reduced by the
cultivation Of wheat, and the supply Of beef
ry diminished During six years these markets con-
tributed largely to the prosperity Of Chill.
This not however the only, nor even the prn-
cipal source Of the prosperity Of Chill; and without
seeking for others, Retrospective glance at the annual
imports Of certain descriptions of merchandise will show
of Ia