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

22 INSTRUCTIONS. the sake of our health and safety, but the officers subordinate to them appeared to take a personal interest in the Beagle ; for which I and those with me felt, and must always feel, most grateful. Perhaps no vessel ever quitted her own country with a better or more ample supply (in proportion to her probable necessities) of every kind of useful provision and stores than the little ship of whose wanderings I am now about to give a brief and very imperfect narrative ; and, therefore, if she succeeded in effecting any of the objects of her mission, with comparative ease and expedition, let the complete manner in which she was prepared for her voyage, by the Dock-yard at Devonport, be fully remembered. On the 15th of November I received my instructions from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. INSTRUCTIONS By the Commissioners for executing; the office of Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, &c. " You are hereby required and directed to put to sea, in the vessel you command, so soon as she shall be in every respect ready, and to proceed in her, with all convenient expedition, successively to Madeira or Teneriffe; the Cape de Verde Islands; Fernando Noronha; and the South American sta- tion ; to perform the operations, and execute the surveys, pointed out in the accompanying memorandum, which has been drawn up under our direction by the Hydrographer of tliis office ; observing and following, in the prosecution of the said surveys, and in your other operations, the directions and suggestions contained in the said memorandum. " You are to consider yourself under the command of Rear- Admiral Sir Thomas Baker, Commander-in-chief of his Majesty's ships on the South American station, whilst you are within the hmits of that station, in execution of the services