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

Feb. 1830. FISHERY DEFENCE PRODUCE. 303 walls, which served to divide their enclosures, still remain. From Walter's account of Anson's voyage, and the view given with it of the commodore's tent, there is no difficulty in deter- mining this valley to be the spot on which his encampment was placed. The island is now (1830) occupied, or rather rented from the governor of Chile for a term of years, by Don Joachim Larrain. The establishment consists of a superintendent (mayor- domo), there called, ' the governor ;' and forty persons, who are employed in the seal and cod fishery, and in drying fish for the Chilian market. Their dwellings are erected on the flat land, at the north side of the bay, where the soil is richer than in other parts ; and where it is more sheltered from the squalls, which, during strong southerly gales, rush down the valley of the Yungue, the situation of the former establishment, with great violence. The remains of a fort, called San Juan Baptiste, are yet in a tolerable state ; and from an inscription on the wall, it appears to have been repaired, or completed, in the year 1809. It is situated on a rising ground, about one hundred and thirty feet above the sea, at the S.W. part of the bay, and over- looks the village ; there are now no guns mounted, but, with a few, it might be made very effective in a short time; and, from its situation, would command the bay. In the middle of the beach are some ruins of a four-ffun battery, and there are also traces of a fort at the N.W. end of the bay. At present, except wild-goats, wild peaches, figs, abundance of fish, and excellent fresh water, no refreshments can be pro- cured. An establishment of forty persons, with very little to do, might naturally be expected to cultivate the land, raise vegetables and fruit, and rear poultry and pigs, to supply the vessels, which frequently touch here for wood and water ; but it is not the character of the Chileno to take any trouble, unless obliged, although his own comfort and advantage may be materially concerned. The mayoi'-domo, however, told me that their attempts to