XVill INTRODUCTION, 
removed into the other, and with her, singly, to 
proceed in prosecution of the service, or return to 
England, according as circumstances shall appear to 
require ; understanding that the officers and crews 
of both vessels are hereby authorized, and required, 
to continue to perform their duties, according to 
their respective ranks and stations, on board either 
vessel to which they may be so removed. Should, 
unfortunately, your own vessel be the one disabled, 
you are in that case to take the command of the 
Beagle: and, in the event of any fatal accident hap- 
pening to yourself; Captain Stokes is hereby au- 
thorized to take the command of the Expedition ; 
either on board the Adventure, or Beagle, as he 
may prefer ; placing the officer of the Expedition 
who may then be next in seniority to him, in com- 
mand of the second vessel: also, in the event of 
your inability, by sickness or otherwise, at any 
period of this service, to continue to carry the 
Instructions into execution, you are to transfer them 
to Captain Stokes, or to the surviving officer then 
next in command to you, who is hereby required to 
execute them, in the best manner he can, for the 
attainment of the object in view. 
“When you shall have completed the service, or 
shall, from any cause, be induced to give it up; you 
will return to Spithead with all convenient expedi- 
tion; and report your arrival, and proceedings, to 
our Secretary, for our information. 
