8 



FUEGIANS SMALL-POX. 



1830 



Both vessels' crews were dispersed, as usual, unfortunately ; 

 and of those who had passed so many rough hours together, 

 but few were likely to meet again. I much regretted the sepa- 

 ration from my tried and esteemed shipmates, and from our 

 excellent little vessel. 



Soon afterwards. Captain King and Lieutenant Skyring 

 were promoted : a gratifying proof of the good opinion of their 

 exertions and conduct, which was entertained by the Lords 

 Commissioners of the Admiralty. 



Early in November I received the sad intelligence that the 

 young man, called Boat Memory, was taken ill ; and that the 

 symptoms of his disorder were like those of the small-pox. 

 Dr. Armstrong, of the Royal Hospital at Plymouth, whose 

 advice I solicited, suggested that he and the other three Fue- 

 gians should be received immediately into the hospital, with 

 the view of preventing further infection, and ensuring the best 

 treatment for the poor sufferer. Dr. Armstrong applied to 

 the physician, Dr. Dickson (now Sir David Dickson), as well 

 as Sir James Gordon, the superintendent, and by their advice 

 and permission the Fuegians were removed into the hospital 

 without delay ; and an application was made to the Admiralty, 

 of which the following is a copy, 



" Sir, " Devonport, 7th Nov. 1830. 



" I have the honour of addressing you to request that the 

 four Fuegians, whom I brought to England in the Beagle, 

 may be received into the Royal Naval Hospital. 



" The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have stated 

 in a letter to Commander King, dated 19th Oct. 1830, that 

 ' their Lordships will not interfere with Commander Fitz-Roy'*s 

 personal superint?ndance of, or benevolent intentions towards 

 these four people, but they will afford him any assistance in 

 maintaining and educating them in England, and will give 

 them a passage home again. 



" In consequence of this assurance, I now beg that you will 

 draw their Lordships' attention to the circumstance of an erup- 

 tion having broken out upon one of the Fuegian men, since he 



