My Lord,
Shanghai, 14 September 1859
With reference to Lord Malmesbury's despatch No. 26 of March 21, I have the honor to state that I doubt very much the expediency of applying to the Chinese Government on the subject of the construction of a lighthouse on the Pratas Shoal. It is situated more than one hundred miles from the nearest part of the Chinese territory: the Government exercises no authority there and certainly would be indisposed to take measures for protecting and maintaining an establishment which it would look upon as only of use to shipping.
If a lighthouse be established, it must be built and managed by...
[...Lord John Russell]