22 INSTRUCTIONS. 



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 narrative ; 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 15th 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 shall be in every respect 

 ready, and to proceed in her, with all convenient expedition, 

 successively to Madeira or Teneriffe; the Cape de Verde 

 Islands; Fernando Noronha; and the South American sta- 

 tion ; 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 

 tliis 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 Rear- 

 Admiral Sir Thomas Baker, Commander-in-chief of his 

 Majesty's ships on the South American station, whilst you are 

 within the hmits of that station, in execution of the services 



