This is a heavy drawback to the prosperity of Chiloe.

In the time of the Spaniards the Indians could not hold land; and a family, after having cleared a piece of ground, might be driven away, and the property seized by the government.

The Chilian authorities are now performing an act of justice by making retribution to these poor Indians, giving to each man, according to his grade of life, a certain portion of land.

The value of uncleared ground is very little.

The government gave Mr.
Douglas (the present surveyor, who informed me of these circumstances) eight and a half square miles of forest near S.
Carlos, in lieu of a debt; and this he sold for 350 dollars, or about 70 pounds sterling.
The two succeeding days were fine, and at night we reached the island of Quinchao.