10th to 17th March 1833

East Falkland Island
This is one of the quietest places we have ever been to. Nearly all the Ships are gone; & no one event has happened during the whole week: The boats are employed in surveying. I walked one day to the town, which consists in half a dozen houses pitched at random in different places. In the time of the old Spaniards, when it was a Botany Bay for Buenos Ayres, it was in a much more flourishing condition. The whole aspect of the Falkland Islands, were however changed to my eyes from that walk; for I found a rock abounding with shells; & these of the most interesting geological era.

Captain Fitzroy’s Journal:
During the month we remained in Berkeley Sound, I had much trouble with the crews of whaling or small sealing vessels, as well as with the settlers, who all seemed to fancy that because the British flag was re-hoisted on the Falklands, they were at liberty to do what they pleased with Mr. Vernet's private property, as well as with the wild cattle and horses. The gauchos wished to leave the place, and return to the Plata, but as they were the only useful labourers on the islands, in fact, the only people on whom any dependence could be placed for a regular supply of fresh beef, I interested myself as much as possible to induce them to remain, and with partial success, for seven stayed out of twelve.