Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.1): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

INTRODUCTION. XIX " Whilst on the South American Station, you are to consider yourself under the command of the Admiral of that Station; to whom we have expressed our desire that he should not interfere with these orders, except under peculiar neces- sity. " Given under our hands the 16th of May 1826. (Signed) " Melville. " G. COCKBURN. " To Phillip P. King, Esq., Commander of His Majesty's Surveying Vessel Adventure, at Plymouth. " By command of their Lordships. (Signed) " J. W. Croker." On the 22d of Mav, 1826, the Adventure and Beagle sailed from Plymouth ; and, in their way to Rio de Janeiro, called successively at Madeira, Teneriffe, and St. Jago. Unfavourable weather prevented a boat being sent ashore at the northern part of San Antonio; but observations were made in Terrafal Bay, on the south-west side of the island : and, after crossing the Equator, the Trade- wind hung so much to the southward, that Trinidad could not be approached without a sacrifice of time, which, it was consi- dered, might be prejudicial to more important objects of the Expedition. Both ships anchored at Rio de Janeiro on the b 2