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

APPENDIX. 91 They have always expected to return during the ensuing winter (summer of their country), and should they be disappointed, I fear that discontent and disease may be the consequence. Having been led to suppose that a vessel would be sent to South America to continue the survey of its shores, and to explore parts yet unknown, I hoped to have seen these people become useful as interpreters, and be the means of establishing a friendly dispo- sition towards Englishmen on the part of their countrymen, if not a regular intercourse with them. By supplying these natives with some animals, seeds, tools, &c., and placing them, vdth some of their own tribe, on the fertile country lying at the east side of Tierra del Fuego, I thought that, in a few years, ships might have been enabled to obtain fresh pro- visions, as weU as wood and water, during their passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, on a part of the coast which can always be approached with ease and safety. If their Lordships should so far approve of these ideas as to grant me any assistance in carrymg them into execution, I shall feel deeply gratified, and shall exert every means in my power ; but should they not be thought worthy of attention and support, I humbly request that their Lordships will grant me twelve months' leave of absence from England, in order to enable me to keep my faith vidth the natives of Tierra del Fuego, by restoring their countrymen, and by doing them as much good as can be effected by my own very limited means. I have, &c., Robert Fitz-Rot, Commander. To the Hon. George Elliot, Secretary to the Admiralty, &c. &c. &c. In June I received twelve months' leave of absence from England, and made the following agreement with Mr. Mawman, a ship- owner, of London. No. 3. Memorandum of Agreement made the eighth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one, between John Mawman, of Stepney Causeway, London, merchant.