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 ig6 A HISTORY OF CHILE tariff law was to prevent smuggling, foreign agents in- veighed as loudly against it as they had against Coch- rane. From O'Higgins to Balmaceda foreign interests in Chile have ever been antagonistic to liberal, progres- sive measures, beneficial to Chile, and have sympa- thized with the oligarchical rule, with the classes against the masses. In this tariff measure, however, the wily Aldea evidently introduced certain features to further his own schemes and speculations; spec- ulations, which, in the course of two years, gave him a large fortune. He would buy up all. the tobacco and then increase the elastic duties, which were altered to suit occasions ; the same was done with spirits, sugar, and other necessary articles of consumption. These malfeasances aroused public indignation, but O'Higgins, imposed upon no doubt, indiscreetly kept the obnoxious Aldea in office. Disappointed in the measures of congress and provoked by the misdeeds of the minister, the Chileans began to show a spirit of discontent and a feeling of ill-will toward the gov- ernment. The devastating earthquake of November igth, 1822, probably increased the dissatisfaction, just as bad crops often affect political issues. Local dissatisfaction had for some time prevailed at Concep- cion in the south and Coquimbo in the north; in the former. General Freire, the military governor, had been refused pay and supplies for his soldiers, and the troops were destitute and their wages twelve months in ar- rears ; in the latter place, the Coquimbans were in want of means to carry on their local government and all the duty on copper shipped from their port was diverted to the treasury in Santiago; restrictions were also made which were considered to be against the interests of their trade and mining industries. General Freire took the initiative at Concepcion,