episcopal town of Chili in South America. It is situated in W. Long. 79° 12'. S. Lat. 36° 43' and is the oldest European settlement in Chili, and the second in point of dignity. On their first settlement here, the Spaniards were repeatedly driven off by the Indians, so that they were obliged to take up their residence at St Jago. Since that time both the cities of Conception and St Jago have been frequently destroyed by earthquakes. In the year 1730 both of them were laid in ruins by a dreadful shock, the first concussions of which were attended with an unusual swelling of the sea, that overturned the few houses which had escaped the ravages of the earthquake. The harbour is good, and pretty much frequented, on which account the city is regarded as a place of consequence. The king allows annually 350,000 pieces of eight for the support of a garrison of 3500 men; a corps that is seldom complete. None of the fortifications are considerable; but those towards the land are wretched. The Spaniards now live in tolerable security with respect to the Indians, and have no notion of any attack from the land side. It is said indeed, that not only this but all the settlements in Chili and Peru would fall an easy prey to the attacks of a foreign enemy; the fortifications being in ruins, and the garrisons scarce half the number required by the king; owing to the avarice, ignorance, and supine negligence of the governors, who study nothing but to enrich themselves.

town of North America, in New Spain, and in the Audience of Guatimali. It is seated near the sea-coast, 100 miles west of Porto-bello, and a small river that runs into the sea. W. Long. 83° 5'. N. Lat. 10° 0'.