560 



copie:s of orders. 



When to the northward of Cape Tamar, and before reaching as 

 far north as Oracion Bay, or the latitude of 52° 6', should you 

 notice ah opening to the eastward, with a current or stream of tide 

 setting through it, and an appearance of its joining another body of 

 water, of considerable extent, you wall endeavour to ascertain 

 whether it communicates with the Skyring Water, provided that 

 in so doing you do not turn from your chief object more than a 

 few days. 



In the execution of the above orders you will act as you may 

 consider best for the service of his Majesty ; and if, at any time 

 before its completion, you find your provisions getting short, the 

 climate too severe, or yourself, or those under your orders, in bad 

 health, you will immediately make the best of your way to Chiloe. 



You will endeavour to be at San Carlos, in the island of Chiloe, 

 before the 20th of September, and will let nothing that can be 

 avoided detain you beyond that time. 



1 have, &c. 

 (Signed) Robert Fitz-Roy, 

 To Lieutenant Wm. Geo. Skyring, Commander. 

 His Majesty's sloop Beagle. 



By Phillip Parker King, Esq., Commander of His Majesty's sur- 

 veying vessel Adventure, and Senior Officer of an Expedition 

 for the survey of a part of South America. 



As soon as you shall have completed the rates of your chrono- 

 meters and be otherwise ready, it is my direction that you proceed 

 to sea in His Majesty's sloop under your command, to survey the 

 sea-coast of Tierra del Fuego, from Cape Pillar to the east entrance 

 of the Strait of Magellan, in the progressive examination of which 

 you will be guided by the state of the weather, and other circum- 

 stances, keeping in view that the most interesting part of the 

 coast is that portion between Christmas Sound and the Strait Le 

 Maire, particularly the openings of New Year Sound and Nassau 

 Bay, and the openings to the eastward of the latter as far as New 

 Island ; as there is reason to believe that there is a considerable 

 body of water to the eastward of the termination of Admiralty 



