1833. 



ABSURD REPORTS FLAG. 



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, Octubre 22 do 1833. 



*" El infrascriptoMinistro Secretario de Estado en el departamento de 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 sales de su permanencia en ella. 



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

 sentimientos de su mayor eonsideracion y aprecio. 



(Firmado) " Francisco Llambi," 



" Monte Video, Octubre 28 de 1803. 

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

 Oriental del Uruguay ha tenido el honor de transmitir al Sr. Fitz-Ro)', 

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



y copias 



