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

156 APPENDIX. " You will endeavour, on all occasions, to inculcate the absurdity of Spain having any apprehensions, from the state in wliich Port Egmont was before its capture, or the force now sent out, of his Majesty's intending to make use of it for the annoyance of their set- tlements in the South Sea, than which nothing can be farther from the King's inclination, who sincerely desires to preserve peace between the two nations." The Earl of Rochford to the Lords of the Admiralty. " St. James's, 15th March 1771. " Your lordships having acquainted me that, in consequence of his Majesty's pleasure, signified in my letter of 22d last, you had ordered the Juno frigate, the Hound sloop, and Florida store-ship, to be prepared to proceed to Falkland's Islands, I am commanded to signify to your lordships his Majesty's pleasure, that you order the commander of the said frigate, as soon as those ships are ready for sea, to repair directly with them to Port Egmont, and presenting to Don FeHpe Ruiz Puente, or any other Spanish officer he finds there, the duplicates of his Catholic Majesty's orders sent herewith, to receive, in proper fonn, the restitution of possession, and of the artillery, stores, and effects, agreeably to the said orders, and to the inventories signed by the Captains Farmer and Maltby (copies of which are annexed), and that you direct him to take an exact account of any deficiency which there may be of the things mentioned in the said inventories, in order that the same may be made good by his CathoUc Majesty ; giving a copy of the said account, signed by him- self, to the Spanish officer, and desiring an acknowledgment under his hand of the same .being a true account. " After the said restitution shall have been completed, it is the King's pleasure that Captain Stott should return immediately to England with the Juno frigate and the Florida store-ship, unless he find it necessary to leave the latter behind ; and that the Hound sloop should remain stationed in the harbour till his Majesty's further orders. " Your lordships will cUrect Captain Stott to behave with the greatest prudence and civility towards the Spanish commander and the subjects of his Cathohc Majesty, carefully avoiding any thing that might give occasion to disputes or animosity, and strictly