Page:A history of Chile.djvu/157

CHAPTER II JUNTAS, DICTATORS AND DISSENSIONS — FIRST STAGES OF THE REVOLUTION It was the leading citizens of Chile, rather than the native population, who were inspired by the news from Caracas, LaPaz, Quito and Buenos Ayres, the rum- bling preceding the storm, to do something toward alleviating their own galling burdens. Their desire was not at first to separate themselves from Spain but rather to modify the laws sufficiently to emancipate themselves somewhat, to better the condition of the native inhabitants, and to form a junta, or governing board of leading citizens, which was to govern in trust for the unfortunate Ferdinand VII. It was in August and September of 1809, that the news reached Chile by way of Buenos Ayres of the in- vasion of Spain by Bonaparte. Sentiment was gener- ally in favor of the captive king and plans were dis- cussed how best to carry on the government during his captivity. The cabildo of Santiago took upon itself the authority to call a national assembly, decreed imposts and undertook warlike preparations. Two political parties soon appeared ; the Spanish party, the mem- bers being nicknamed godos or san-acenos, headed by the president and supported by the Royal Audience, the