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

COPIES OF OllDEUS. 561 Sound, communicating with the sea by some one if not many open- ings in the neighbourhood of Nassau Bay, and with an outlet on the N.E. coast (St. Sebastian Channel) j and as the existence of such a strait would be of the greatest importance to small vessels bound to the westward round Cape Horn, you will see it fitting not to spend so much time to the westward of Cape Noir as may in the least impede the determination of the question, or prevent it being completely explored. It is my intention to be at Port Famine by the 1st of April, and at Rio de Janeiro by the 1st June, calling in my way at Monte Video, or Gorriti, for chronometrical observations; and if I can, conveniently, I shall also go to Port Desire for the same purpose. But as it is at present uncertain what orders I may find for me at Valparaiso, you are to act accord- ing to your own discretion, so that you arrive at Rio by the 20th of June to rejoin me. Given under my hand, on board the Adventure, at St. Carlos de Childe, November 18th, 1829. Phillip P. King, Commander. To Robert Fitz-Roy, Esq., Commander of H.M.S. 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 the Adelaide Tender is ready, you will proceed to sea, in the execution of the following orders : — As your principal object will be to trace the main-land from the peninsula of Tres Montes to the southwai-d, by penetrating into all the openings that lead easterly, you will commence at the Channel Mouths, and explore them to their termination. In the event of their affording a communication with the Gulf of Trinidad, and your having time, you will examine the channels that you have reported to exist in the neighbourhood of Neesham Bay, so as to complete the Fallos Channel, which separates Cam- pana from the land within it. Should the Channel Mouths not afford the expected termina- tion, you will proceed through the Mesier or Fallos Channels, in