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ERA OF C0NS2UTUT10N MAKING 249 had been kept in abeyance it had died a natural death, and there was in the end merely an abandonment of the whole controversy. During the years 1866, 1867 and 1868, the govern- ment of Chile made strenuous efforts to occupy and colonize the country in the south. Settlements were established, and steadily increased during those years. Lands were granted free to colonists, and foreign im- migrants locating upon them were made citizens of Chile without other or further steps at naturalization. A contract was entered into with Godeffroy and Son in Germany to send out emigrants of good character, such as were approved by the Chilean consul at Ham- burg, who upon their arrival were to be assigned lands in Arauco. The colonists were to be furnished free passage, the government agreeing to pay forty dollars for the transportation of each adult and twenty dollars for each child under twelve. The contract was to con- tinue for a period of four years, the government agree- ing to pay for the passage of one hundred families the first year, one hundred and fifty the second, two hun- dred the third and three hundred the fourth, with the privilege given to Godeffroy and Son to increase the number twenty-five per cent, if they should choose to do so. The Chilean government had at some time prior to this contracted for two corvettes in England, the "Cba- cabuco" and "O'Higgins. " Pending the settlement of the dispute with Spain these vessels were held. Early in the year 1868, arrangements were made by the Chil- ean representative in London for the departure of these warships, consent being given by him for England to turn over to Spain two ironclads, which had been in like manner constructed for the Spanish government