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Hoivever unjustifiably Mr. Vernet may, in fact, have behaved
towards vessels belonging to the United States of North
America, it must he remembered that he had a commission
from the Buenos Ayrean Government, empowering him to act
as civil and niilitaiy governor of the Falklands; that he
believed the Buenos Ayrean authority valid; and had no
doubt in his own mind that he was doing right. Mr. Vernet,
therefore, was no robber—no p irate-as he w7s termed by Cap-’
tain Duncan, because he tried to uphold his situation, and prevent
his settlement being robbed by people who had no claim
whatever upon any of the islands. However wrong Vernet’s
actions may have been, he was responsible to his Government
for them; and those who acted under his order, he having a
legal commission, certainly did not deserve to be seizecf as
pirates, put into irons, and so carried to the Plata ! Neither
was It just (setting mercy quite aside) to destroy the infant
colony, break open or tear down doors and windows, search
houses, drawers, and chests, trample over gai-dens, break
through fences, and ill-use the helpless, unarmed settlers to
such a degree, that for many months afterwards whenever a
man-of-wai- was seen approaching, the frightened inhabitants
at once fled to the interior, not knowing how they might be
treated. Poor Brisbane (of whom frequent mention has already
been made, and of whom I have yet to speak), was taken, with
others, in irons to Monte Video, where the British consul
obtained his release; he had joined Vernet in a contract to take
seal upon the Falklands, and was left in charge of the settlement
at the period of Captain Duncan’s hostility. At that time
Vernet himself was absent, having gone with his family to
Buenos Ayres, in order that he might attend at the ensumg trial
of those sealing vessels which had been detained by him for
repeatedly taking seal upon the Falkland Islands, after he
had duly warned them off.
I have heard much of Mr. Vernet and his proceedings,
from various quarters—from enemies as well as friends—and
although I never met him, and therefore cannot be partial from
friendship, I do sincerely pity his misfortunes ; and it is my
belief that he has been much misrepresented.
CHAPTER XIII.
Anchor in Berkeley Sound—Le Magellan—British flag hoisted—Ruined
Settlement—Mr. Hellyer drowned—Burial—French Whalers—Unicorn—
Adventure—Squall—Flashes—Fossils—Killing Wild Cattle—
Sail from Falklands— River Negro — Maldonado — Constitución—
Heave down, copper and refit Adventure—Signs of weather-—Sound
banks—Los Cesares—Settle with Harris and part company—Blanco
Bay—Return to Maldonado—Monte Video.
March I. The Beagle anchored at the south side of Berkeley
Sound (near the beach where Freycinet was obliged to run
rUranie ashore, in 1820, after striking on the detached rock
off Volunteer Point), and remained there till I had ascertained
the state of affairs on shore : for seeing a French flag flying
near some tents behind Johnson Cove or harbour, and knowing
that, in I83I, the flag of Buenos Ayres was hoisted at a
settlement in the sound, it was evident a change of some kind
had occurred. Directly our anchor had dropped, a whale-boat
belonging to the wrecked whale-ship, ‘ Le Magellan,’ came
alongside; and from her chief mate (who was also whaling-
master), we learned that his ship had parted from her anchors
during a tremendous squall on the night of the 12tli of
January, and was totally wrecked. He then informed me
that the British colours had been hoisted on these islands by
H.M.S. Clio ; and that H.M.S. Tyne had since visited the
port and saluted the flag; that the white flag was hoisted at
the French tents only as a signal to u s ; and that he was sent
hy M. le Dilly, his captain, to entreat us to render them assistance.
Two of our boats were forthwith manned; one was sent
to the settlement at Port Louis, and in the other I went to the
Frenchmen at Johnson Cove. I found them very comfortably
established in large tents made from the sails of their lost ship ;
but they manifested extreme impatience to get away from the
islands, even at the risk of abandoning the vessel and cargo.
After due inquiry, I promised to carry as many of them as I
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