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

8 FUEGIANS SMALL-POX. 1830 Both vessels' crews were dispersed, as usual, unfortunately ; and of those who had passed so many rough hours together, but few were likely to meet again. I much regretted the sepa- ration from my tried and esteemed shipmates, and from our excellent little vessel. Soon afterwards, Captain King and Lieutenant Skyring were promoted : a gratifying proof of the good opinion of their exei-tions and conduct, which was entertained by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. Early in November I received the sad intelligence that the young man, called Boat Memory, was taken ill ; and that the symptoms of his disorder were like those of the small-pox. Dr. Armstrong, of the Royal Hospital at Plymouth, whose advice I solicited, suggested that he and the other three Fue- gians should be received immediately into the hospital, with the view of preventing further infection, and ensuring the best treatment for the poor sufferer. Dr. Armstrong applied to the physician. Dr. Dickson (now Sir David Dickson), as well as Sir James Gordon, the superintendent, and by their advice and permission the Fuegians were removed into the hospital without delay ; and an application was made to the Admiralty, of which the following is a copy. " Sir, " Devonport, 7th Nov. 1830. " I have the honour of addressing you to request that the four Fuegians, whom I brought to England in the Beagle, may be received into the Royal Naval Hospital. " The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have stated in a letter to Commander King, dated 19th Oct. 1830, that ' their Lordships will not interfere with Commander Fitz-Roy's personal superintendance of, or benevolent intentions towards these four people, but they will afford him any assistance in maintaining and educating them in England, and will give them a passage home again.' " In consequence of this assurance, I now beg that you will draw their Lordships' attention to the circumstance of an erup- tion having broken out upon one of the Fuegian men, since he