FREE PORT OF REFUGE. 



stockings during the greater part of the winters we spent 

 there. The south wind, however, is cold and stormy, but it is 

 not frequent ; the prevaihng winds are between S.W. and 

 N.W., which, blowing from the coast of Patagonia, are com- 

 fortably temperate. This climate appears to be in general 

 much more temperate now than it was forty years ago, the 

 cause of which may probably be, that immense bodies of ice 

 were then annually found in the latitude of 50°; this ice, 

 between the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, would 

 necessarily lower the temperature of both air and water, and 

 consequently an unfavourable opinion of the climate was pro- 

 duced.'" — Weddell's Voyage, pages 94-95. 



For much of the produce of the islands, such as salt-meat 

 and fish, potatoes, oil, butter, cheese, tallow, &c. a ready 

 market would always be found on the coasts of South Ame- 

 rica, while other articles, previously mentioned, would have a 

 free sale in Europe and North America. Should any accident 

 happen to a vessel in doubling Cape Horn, obliging her to 

 make for the nearest port at which she can obtain supplies, 

 where can she now go ? To the River Plata on one side, or to 

 Chiloe on the other — either of which is twelve hundred miles 

 from Cape Horn ! 



A great temptation to shipping would be, the certainty of 

 supplies, and freedom from harbour dues as well as pilotage. 

 Twenty years after the first establishment of a colony would 

 be quite soon enough to think of any port charges, and till 

 that time, every encouragement ought to be given to vessels, 

 by piloting them gratis, and charging for nothing but the sup- 

 plies which they may choose to purchase, and for those, upon 

 the lowest possible terms. As to pilotage, indeed, I may say 

 that none is required, if a stranger has the chart now published 

 by the Admiralty, for there is no danger in any of the Falkland 

 harbours that is not distinctly buoyed by kelp. A few rocks 

 in the offing are indeed to be guarded against, such as the 

 Uranie Hock, and those near the Jason Isles; but a ship must 

 have passed all those before a pilot could board her, under 

 ordinary circumstances, and afterwards there would be no 



