mrRODUCTION. 



xix 



" Whilst on the South American Station, you 

 are to consider yourself under the command of 

 the Admiral of that Station; to whom we have 

 expressed our desire that he should not interfere 

 with these orders, except under peculiar neces- 

 sity. 



Given under our hands the 16th of May 1826. 

 (Signed) " Melville. 



" G. COCKBURN. 



To Phillip P. King, Esq., Commander 

 of His Majesty's Surveying Vessel 

 Adventure, at Plymouth. 



By command of their Lordships. 



(Signed) - J. W. Croker." 



On the 22d of May, 1826, the Adventure and 

 Beagle sailed from Plymouth ; and, in their way 

 to Rio de Janeiro, called successively at Madeira, 

 Teneriffe, and vSt. Jago. 



Unfavourable weather prevented a boat being 

 sent ashore at the northern part of San Antonio; 

 but observations were made in Terrafal Bay, on the 

 south-west side of the island : and, after crossing 

 the Equator, the Trade- wind hung so much to the 

 southward, that Trinidad could not be approached 

 without a sacrifice of time, which, it was consi- 

 dered, might be prejudicial to more important 

 objects of the Expedition. 



Both ships anchoi^ed at Rio de Janeiro on the 



b 2 



