■1833. ABSUllU REPORTS FLAG. 298 



taken possession of the island of Gorriti, and built houses 

 upon it. This, I knew, must in some way have arisen out of 

 the temporary encampment of the Adventure's crew ; and en- 

 quiring further, I found that columns of the Monte Video 

 newspapers had been filled with discussions on the subject.* The 

 local authorities at Maldonado having been told (incorrectly) 

 that the English had hoisted British colours upon the island — 

 had repaired several old buildings — and had erected a house 

 with glass windows, for the commanding officer's residence — 

 became alarmed ; and as stories seldom lose by repetition, the 

 good people of Monte Video were soon in commotion. How- 

 ever, the affair was easily explained ; but not without many 

 a laugh at the absurdity of my little observatory (made of 

 ninety small pieces of wood, so as to be stowed in a boat), hav- 

 ing ' loomed' so large. Had our colours ever been displayed 

 on shore, there might have been some foundation for their 

 alarm ; but it so happened that the only flag that was on the 



« Monte Video, Octubre22 del833, 

 *" El infrascripto Ministro Secretario de Estado en el departamentode 

 Relaciones Exteriores, tiene orden del Gobierno para dirigirse al Sr. 

 Consul General de S.M.B. y manifestarle, que a consecuencia de varies 

 sucesos que han tenido lugar en la Isla de Gorriti, donde se halla la tri- 

 pulacion de la Escuna de S.M. Adventure, los cuales constau de los 

 documentos que en copia autorizada se acompauan ; y deseoso el Gobi- 

 erno de satisfacer la ansiedad publica que han producido aquellos sucesos, 

 y quitar todo pretexto de interpretaciones, espera que el Sr. Consul tendra 

 a bien manifestarle los motivos que dieron merito a que los individuos 

 pertenecientes a aquel Buque pasasen a la Isla, como igualmente las cau- 

 sales de su permanencia en ella. 



" El Ministro que subscribe reitera al Sr. Cdnsul General de S.M.B. los 

 sentimientos de su mayor consideracion y aprecio. 



(Firmado) " Francisco Llambi." 



" Monte Video, Octubre 28 de 1803. 



" El abajo firmado Consul General de S.M.B. cerca de la Repiiblica 



Oriental del Uruguay ha tenido el honor de transmitir al Sr. Fitz-Roy, 



comandante de la barca descubridora de S.M.B. Beagle, la comunicacion 



y copias 



