Patagonia Bookshelf

Early this morning, Captain Gardiner said he had spent a great part of the night in anxiously considering what plan we had better pursue, and had come to the conclusion that we had better go to Port Famine by the vessel we expected from that place and there mature our plans for the future after having obtained all the information we could. His present intentions were to hire a a vessel at Port Famine or at Valparaiso and make it the depository of our stores and persons, till we should feel ourselves safe among the Fuegians, or ascertain that nothing could be done for them. Meanwhile I might be able to obtain assistance in learning the language and when at Tierra del Fuego we might get a native to live with us aboard and accompany us ashore in our daily visit to his countrymen. This I thought a practicable plan if the expense of the vessel would not be an obstacle. To this Captain Gardiner replied whatever expense was incurred more than the Committee would be justified in paying, he would engage to make up.

Soon after this conversation, we were quite confirmed in the propriety of our quitting our present station, by learning that Centurion (San Leon) and his tribe now much more numerous than the others, were entirely and completely under the influence of the Chileans and that two of Centurion's sons were at Port Famine under the care of Padre Domingo, their instructor. Moreover we understood that every effort was being made by Chile to attach the Patagonians to her interests, as a struggle was expected to commence immediately between Chile and Rosas, for the possession of the south eastern parts of Patagonia. Captain Gardiner said the Chileans had hitherto thwarted all his attempts to benefit their portion of South America; and as for Rosas' party, they would not even spare our lives if in coming against Port Famine they should hear of our station and object.

The circumstances referred to and others not mentioned appeared to decide two points. First, we could not remain long In the country. Secondly, if we could have hoped to remain at our posts it nevertheless appeared certain that little or no good could be expected to result from our efforts, and therefore it was manifest that the Committee's energies might be more profitably expended elsewhere. As Captain Gardiner expressed his view of the case, the Mission had been commenced too late, for the Chileans had succeeded in bringing them (the Patagonians) under their influence and Padre Domingo had wound them round his thumb. Captain Gardiner also believed that Wesail's character had very much deteriorated during the last three years.