90 A r P E X D I X .
coast of Tierra del Fuego, from its westernmost extremity to the
Strait Le Maire, including Cape Horn and the islands m the
"Tlfe^difficnlties under wHch this ser^'ice was performed, from the
tempestuous aud exposed nature of the coast, the fatigues and privations
endured by the ofhcers =md crew, as well as the mentonous and
cheerful conduct of every individual, which is mamly attributable to
the excellent example and unflinching activity of the commander, can
only be mentioned by me in terms of the highest approbation.
For the results of the voyage, and the services of Commander
Fitz-Koy I beg to refer their Lordships to their Hydrographer and the
charts herewith transmitted, which I hope will be satisfactory.
I trust their Lordships wiU permit me once again to express how
much I feci that Commander Fitz-Roy, not only from the important
service he has rendered, but from the zealous and perfect manner in
which he has effected it, merits their distinction and pateonage; imd
I beo- leave, as his late senior officer, to recommend hnn m the
sti-ongest manner to theii- favourable consideration.
I have, &c.
P HI L L I P P . K I N G , Captain.
T o t h e H o n . GEORGE E L L I O T ,
Secretai-y of the Admiralty, &c. &c. &c.
No. 2.
g London, May 23, 1831.
Endowed is a copy of the letter sent to C a p t ^ P. P. King (then
commanding H. M.'s sloop Adventure), by the Secretary of the
Admiralty, relative to the natives of Tien-a del Fuego, who were
brought to England in the Beagle ; and 1 have to request that yon
w411 honour me by submitting the enclosed copy, and the purport of
this letter, to my Lords Commissioners of the Admuralty. ^
The proper season for the return of these Fuegians is now
dra^^•ing near. They have been with me fourteen months, and at
least five months more must elapse before they can reach then: own
shores.
A P P E N D I X . 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 unlcnown, I hoped to have seen these people become useful
as interpreters, and be the means of establishing a friendly disposition
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, with some of their own tribe, on the fertile
country lymg at the east side of Tierra del Fuego, I thought that,
in a few years, ships might have been enabled to obtain fresh provisions,
as well as wood and water, durmg 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 carrying 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 wiU grant me twelve months', leave of absence
from England, in order to enable me to keep my faith with the natives
of Tierra del Fuego, by restoring their countiymen, and by doing
them as much good as can be effected by my own very limited means.
I have, &c.,
R O B E B T F I T Z - R O T , Commander.
T o t h e H o n . GEORGE E L L I OT ,
Secretary to the Admiralty, &c. &c. &c.
In June I received twelve months' leave of absence fr-om England,
and made the following agreement with Mr. Mawman, a shipowner,
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,
n 2