Sir,
16
Foreign Office. Dec 23rd. 1859
197
I have laid before Lord John Russell your letter of the 28th Instant respecting the question of a Lighthouse on the Pratas Shoal, and I am to state to you, for the information of the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council for Trade, that Lord John Russell will act upon their Lordship's suggestion that application should be made to Foreign Governments to ascertain how far they will be disposed to cooperate in the erection and maintenance of a Light house on such a Shoal.
Lord John Russell will also, by the Mail of the 26th Instant instruct W.W. Bruce to direct Her Majesty's Consuls in China to furnish returns according to the form inclosed by you, but, with regard to the return from Hongkong, to suggest that the "Board of Trade" should apply to the Colonial Office on the subject.
I have &c.
(signed)
G.L. Hammersley
was replaced to
G. Hammond.