460
17
to be a dependency of the Philippines, it was considered that they doubtless belonged to China. The Earl of Elgin, then Her Majesty's Representative at Peking, was consequently instructed to ask the permission of the Chinese Government to erect this lighthouse (unless they would undertake to build it themselves). Lord Elgin stated in reply, that he did not recommend a reference to the Chinese Government, as they exercised no act of authority on those Islands which were far from the mainland of China.
The Board of Trade considered, in view of the above, that steps might be taken by this Country to occupy the Pratas. The scheme to erect the lighthouse was dropped on this occasion as it did not meet with the support of shipowners and other interested parties.
Sir R. Alcock, who was subsequently Her Majesty's Minister in China, explained that Sir R. Hart, to whom had been confided the maintenance and control of the lighting of the Chinese Coasts, had applied to Vice Admiral Keppel for his advice and assistance as regards a lighthouse he proposed to erect on the Pratas