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238 FALKLAND ISLANDS.
In 1823, the Buenos Ayrean Government took another step,
in the appointment of a ‘ comandante de las Malvinas and in
the same year, Lewis Vernet, by birth a German, in concert
with his friends at Buenos Ayres, “ solicited and obtained from
the Government the use of the fishery and of the cattle on the
Eastern Malvina, and likewise tracts of land thereon, in order
to provide for the subsistence of the settlement.* This undertaking
did not prosper; but the next year Mr. Vernet prepared
a second expedition, in which he himself sailed. His
own words (translated) are ; -f- “ After many sacrifices, I was
enabled to surmount great obstables ; but still that which we
expected to effect in one year was not realized before the expiration
of five. My partners lost all hope, and sold me their
shares. I bought successively three vessels, and lost them;
I chartered five, one of which was lost. Each blow produced
dismay in the colonists, who several times resolved to leave
that ungrateful region, but were restrained by their affection
for me, which I had known how to win, and by the example
of constancy and patience which my family and myself held
out to them."
In 1828, the Government of Buenos Ayres granted to Mr.
Vernet (with certain exceptions) the right of property in the
Falkland Islands—and in Staten Land ! “ I t also conceded
to the colony exemption from taxation' for twenty years, and
for the same period the exclusive right to the fishery in all the
Malvinas, and on the coast of the continent to the southward
of the Rio Negro, under the condition that within three years
I (Vernet) should have established the colony.” ]
About this time merchant-vessels of all nations visited the
Falkland Islands, both in their outward voyage and when
returning from the Pacific; but advantageous as their visits
were, those of numerous sealers had a very different effect: for,
instead of frequenting the settlement, their crews killed the
seal indiscriminately at all seasons, and slaughtered great
numbers of wild cattle. “ For this reason,” says Vernet, “ I
* See note in preceding page. + Idem. Idem.
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FALKLAND ISLANDS. 239
requested the Government to furnish me with a vessel of war,
to enable me to cause the rights of the colony to be respected.
The Government was aware of the necessity of the measure;
but not being then able to place a vessel at my disposal, it
resolved to invest me with a public and official character, and
for that purpose issued the two decrees of the 10th of J une :
the one re-establishing the governorship of the Malvinas and
Tierra del Fuego; and the other nominating me to fulfil that
office.” *
In 1829, Vernet warned off some North American sealers;
and in 1831, upon their repeating the sealing excursion of
which he had complained, he detained them by force. This
act, and various circumstances arising out of it, drew upon him
and his unfortunate colony the hasty indignation of Captain
Silas Duncan, of the United States corvette Lexington, who,
on his own responsibility, without waiting to communicate with
his Government, sailed from the Plata to the Falkland Islands,
surprised, assaulted, and made prisoners of many unoffending
people, and unwarrantably destroyed both property and buildings.
Mr. Brisbane and several others were put into confinement,
and carried away, on hoard the Lexington, to Buenos
Ayres, where they were delivered up to the Buenos Ayrean
Government, in February 1832. The United States supported
their officer, and immediately despatched a charge-d’affaires to
Buenos Ayres, with instructions to demand compensation for
the injury done to North American trade, and full reparation
to all North American citizens for personal wrongs.
While the United States and Buenos Ayres were discussing
the questions at issue, Great Britain, following up the solemn
warnings she had given Buenos Ayres (especially in the protest
addressed to that Government by Mr. Parish, in November
1829), issued orders to her Commander-in-chief on the South
American station, to send a vessel of war to re-hoist the British
flag upon the Falkland Islands; to assert her right of sovereignty,
and to cause every thing belonging to the Buenos
Ayrean Government to be embarked and sent away.
* See note, page 236.
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