The Republic is a confederation of sovereign states, each of which has its elected governor.

The states are subdivided into districts somewhat corresponding to our counties, over each of which is a _jefe politico_ appointed by the governor; he has no responsibility to those below him, but is directly responsible to the man who names him, and who can at will remove him; he is not expected to trouble the state government unnecessarily, and as long as he turns over the taxes which are due the state he is given a free hand.

Within the districts are the cities and towns, each with its local, independent, elected town government.
The work I planned to do among these indian towns was threefold: 1.

The measurement of one hundred men and twenty-five women in each population, fourteen measurements being taken upon each subject; 2.

The making of pictures,--portraits, dress, occupations, customs, buildings, and landscapes; 3.