Monday the 3d, this day having fine weather (which is a prodigy in this place) launched the boat, and went about the rocks and islands on discovery.  This day we also moved into our new house, it being a very commodious habitation, exceedingly well thatched; in this dwelling there are cabins for fourteen people, which are covered inside and out with broad cloth:  This is a rich house, and, in some parts of the world, would purchase a pretty estate; there are several hundred yards of cloth about it, besides the curtains and linings, which are shalloon and camblet; in short, considering where we are, we cannot desire a better habitation.  The people fall into disputes concerning the boat, where we are to proceed with her, when she is built and ready for going off.  It is the opinion of the navigators, that going through the Streights of Magellan is the safest and only way to preserve life and liberty:  The artists, who have worked the bearings and distance, are very pressing that it should be moved to the captain, purposing to have their reasons drawn up, and signed by all who are willing to go that way, and to be delivered to the captain for his opinion; upon this there was a paper drawn up, and as soon as the people heard it, they came flocking to sign first, crying all aloud for the Streights, seeming overjoyed, as if they were going to England directly, without any affliction or trouble, but there must be a great deal of hardships to be encountered before we arrive at our native country:  This paper was signed by all the officers on the spot, except the captain, lieutenant, purser, and surgeon, and by all the seamen in general, except the captain’s steward.

Tuesday the 4th, at the time of serving at the storehouse, about twelve o’clock, I went to the captain, with the master, carpenter, and boatswain, and read to him the paper; he answered he would consider of it, and give his answer:  Here follows a copy of the paper signed:—­

“We whose names are under-mentioned, do, upon mature consideration, as we have met with so happy a deliverance, think it the best, surest, and most safe way for the preservation of the body of people on the spot, to proceed through the Streights of Magellan for England.  Dated at a desolate island on the coast of Patagonia, in the latitude of 47 deg. 00 min. south, and west longitude from the meridian of London 81 deg. 40 min. in the South Seas, this 2d day of August, 1741.

John Bulkeley, gunner. 
John Cummins, carpenter. 
Thomas Clark, master. 
John King, boatswain. 
John Jones, master’s mate. 
John Snow, ditto. 
Robt.  Elliot, surgeon’s mate. 
The Hon. John Byron, midshipman. 
Alexander Campbell, ditto. 
Isaac Morris, ditto. 
Thomas Maclean, cook. 
John Mooring, boatswain’s mate. 
Henry Stevens, seaman. 
Benjamin Smith, seaman. 
John Montgomery, seaman. 
John Duck, seaman. 
John Hayes, seaman. 
James Butler, seaman.