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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 nai-rative; 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 IStli 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 sliall be in every respect
ready, and to proceed in her, with all convenient expedition,
succes.sively to Madeira or Teneriffe; the Cape de Verde
Islands; Fernando Noronha; and the South American station
; 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
this 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 Ileai--
Admiral Sir Thomas Baker, Commander-in-chief of his
Majesty s ships on the South American station, whilst you ai-e
within the limits of that station, in execution of the services
above-mentioned ; and in addition to the directions conveyed to
you in the memorandum, on the subject of your supplies of
provisions, we have signified to the Rear-Admiral our desire
that, whenever the occasion offers, you should receive from
him and the officers of his squadron, any assistance, in stores
and provisions, of which you may stand in need.
“ But during the whole time of your continuing on the
above duties, you are (notwithstanding the 16th article of the
4th section of the 6th chapter, page 78, of the General Printed
Instructions) to send reports, by every opportunity, to our
Secretary, of your proceedings, and of the progress you make.
“ Having completed the surveys which you are directed to
execute on the South American station, you are to proceed to
perform the several further operations set forth in the Hydrographer’s
memorandum, in the course therein pointed ont; and
having so done, you are to return, in the vessel you command,
to Spithead, and report your arrival to our Secretary, for our
information and further directions.
“ In the event of any unfortunate accident happening to
yourself, the officer on whom the command of the Beagle
may in consequence devolve, is hereby required and directed
to complete, as far as in him lies, that part of the survey on
which the vessel may he then engaged, but not to proceed to a
new step in the voyage ; as, for instance, if at that time carrying
on the coast survey on the western side of South America,
he is not to cross the Pacific, but to return to England by
Rio de Janeiro and the Atlantic.
“ Given under our hands, the 11th of November 1831.
(Signed) “ T. M. H a r d y ,
“ G. B a r r in g t o n .”
“ To Robert Fitz-Roy, Esq.,
Commander of his Majesty’s surveying vessel
‘ Beagle,’ at Plymouth.”
“ By command of their Lordships,
(Signed) “ G e o . E l l io t .”
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