FALKLAND ISLANDS, 301 



certain whether it formed a part of that great 

 island^ or whether it was a part of a smaller 

 detached island. Cook, however, by exploring 

 the eastern and southern coasts of Tierra del 

 Fuego, and laying down with mathematical 

 and geographical accuracy their several head- 

 lands, bays, and harbours, deserves the credit 

 of an original discoverer ; as he unquestionably 

 brought many things to light which were not 

 known before. 



The undersigned cannot discover from any 

 evidence within his command, that any nation 

 has ever taken formal possession of Tierra del 

 Fuego or any of the islands adjacent, or at- 

 tempted to establish any settlements within 

 their territories, or occupied them in any way. 

 The savage aboriginals of those inhabited, 

 have always remained without interruption or 

 molestation ; and without having been required 

 to yield even a nominal obedience or alle- 

 giance to any sovereign or nation whatever. 



Although it is highly probable that Sir 

 Francis Drake was the original discoverer of 

 Cape Horn and the island of which it forms 

 the extremity, yet that discovery has generally 



