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

560 COPIES OF ORDERS. When to the northward of Cape Tamar^ and before reaching as far north as Oracion Bay, or the latitude of 52° 6', should you notice an opening to the eastward, with a current or stream of tide setting through it, and an appearance of its joining another body of water, of considerable extent, you will endeavour to ascertain whether it communicates with the Skyring Water, provided that in so doing you do not turn from your chief object more than a few days. In the execution of the above orders you will act as you may consider best for the service of his Majesty ; and if, at any time before its completion, you find your provisions getting short, the climate too severe, or yourself, or those under your orders, in bad health, you will immediately make the best of your way to Chiloe. You will endeavour to be at San Carlos, in the island of Chiloe, before the 20th of September, and will let nothing that can be avoided detain you beyond that time. 1 have, SiC. (Signed) Robert Fitz-Roy, To Lieutenant Wm. Geo. Skyring, Commander. His Majesty's sloop Beagle. By Phillip Parker King, Esq., Commander of His Majesty's sur- veying vessel Adventure, and Senior Officer of an Expedition for the survey of a part of South America. As soon as you shall have completed the rates of your chrono- meters and be otherwise ready, it is my direction that you proceed to sea in His Majesty's sloop under your command, to survey the sea-coast of Tierra del Fuego, from Cape Pillar to the east entrance of the Strait of Magellan, in the progressive examination of which you will be guided bj"^ the state of the weather, and other circum- stances, keeping in view that the most interesting part of the coast is that portion between Christmas Sound and the Strait Le Maire, particularly the openings of New Year Sound and Nassau Bay, and the openings to the eastward of the latter as far as New Island ; as there is reason to believe that there is a considerable body of water to the eastward of the termination of Admiralty