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

558 COPIES OF OUDERS. In performing the above orders you will act as you may consider best for their most effectual execution, keeping in mind that the most desirable part is the survey of the Magdalen Channel. From our experience, last year, of the weather during the months of April and May, I am in hopes of your being able to work during those months, with success ; but should you meet with bad weather, you will be most careful in not exposing your people unnecessarily to the severity of the chmate. Upon detaching the Adelaide you will appoint Lieutenant Sky- ring to the superintendence of the service upon which she is sent, giving Lieutenant Graves instructions to that effect accordingly. I have, &c. (Signed) Phillip Parker King, Commander and Senior Officer. His Majesty's surveying sloop Beagle, Port Famine. Sir; April 19, 1829. In obedience to the orders I have received from Commander Phillip Parker King, senior officer of the Expedition for the survey of a part of South America, it is my direction that you proceed immediately, in the Adelaide schooner, to survey as much of the Magdalen Channel and the Strait or Channel of Santa Barbara as you find practicable at this season of the year. If, in the execution of this service, you should find the season too much advanced to proceed without much risk to the vessel, or exposing yourself and the men to much bad weather, you will give up the design, and hasten to Port Gallant. Should the Beagle not be in Port Gallant at your return, and no letter left for you in a bottle, you v/ill wait there one week, and then return to Port Famine. At all events, you will endea- vour to rejoin the Beagle before the first week in June has ended. I have, &c. (Signed) Robert Fitz-Roy, To Lieut. Wm. Geo, Skyring, Commander. His Majesty's sloop Beagle.