Richard Sherratt's chart of the South Shetland Islands, 1821

Extract

[1214] Since the discovery of these distant and desolate islands, manyaccounts have been published respecting them. But from what source soever the information has been derived, they all concur in describing them as barren, uninhabited, and in every respect dreary.

It was our good fortune to be possessed of all the leading facts which related to them long before their existence was announced to the public; but at the particular desire of our correspondent, who was in the first vessel that ever touched on these inhospitable shores, we omitted giving it publicity until several weeks had elapsed; and it was not until some reports had found their way into the world, that our embargo was taken off. This circumstance enabled the conductor of a weekly journal to announce the existence of these distant lands to the public, just before the day of publication with us arrived. Of this incident he has readily availed himself; [1215] and in a recent number, has claimed the exclusive honour of having furnished the first public notice of this discovery.