Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

FALKLAND ISLANDS. 235 sels present. Some of the French colonists remained, but the greater part preferred returning to France, and passages were given to them on board Spanish ships. In 1770, a Spanish armament attacked the British colony at Port Egmont, and obliged its small garrison to surrender to an overpowering force, and quit the place. England, indig- nant at the insult, armed for war, and demanded satisfaction from Spain for the injury inflicted. At first Spain argued and temporized ; but finding that Great Britain continued firm, and that the English people were even more disposed for action than their Government, she relinquished her views — disavowed the act of her officer — and restored Port Egmont. England was satisfied — or rather, the court party professed to be satis- fied ; but the opposers of government angrily declared that Spain had not done enough ; and that, though compelled to make restitution, her insult Avas unatoned for. In 1774, finding the establisliment at the Falklands expen- sive, and almost useless,* England quietly withdrew it ; but the marks and signals of possession and property were left upon the islands, and when the governor departed, the British flag remained flying, and various formalities were observed, intended to indicate the right of possession, as well as to show that the occupation of them might be resumed. The reports made by officers employed at Port Egmont were of such a discouraging tendency, that no person at that time entertained the least wish to have any further concern with the islands — and for years they were unnoticed — though not forgotten by England. Spain, however, jealous of in- terference with her colonial possessions, and regarding the Falklands as a vantage-ground, from which those in the south might be suddenly or secretly invaded, maintained a small garrison at the eastern extremity of the Archipelago, where her ships occasionally touched, and from time to time recon- noitred the adjacent ports, in order to ascertain whether any visitors were there. At what precise time the Spaniards with- * The fact was, it was injudiciously situated, and therefore seldom visited, except by a few fishermen.