1846.] HORSBURGH LIGHTHOUSE. 185 



which an enemy might send to levy contributions on 

 Singapore, or to capture the merchantmen laden with most 

 valuable cargoes, has, at length, excited attention, and 

 plans and estimates have, I believe, been forwarded to 

 the proper department, at the India house, there to 

 remain and be debated upon ; during which delay, this 

 place may be wrested from us by the first state which 

 may happen to make war. It is a matter worthy of the 

 serious interference of our Government. Is it a procrasti- 

 nation in order to avoid the present expence, which will 

 fall eventually, when the colony does, upon the British 

 Government ; and is the valuable property now stored 

 there, to be thus risked ? These are important questions, 

 which, I trust, may speedily receive satisfactory attention. 

 The question where the lighthouse (to be termed the 

 Horsburgh Testimonial) should be placed, was mooted 

 so far back as July, 1844, by a letter from the Governor 

 requesting my opinion. I was subsequently informed 

 that my suggestion of placing it upon the Romania 

 Islands, had been approved by the proper authorities, and 

 the necessary instructions to furnish estimates, had been 

 issued. By reference to a small pamphlet, by Mr. Alex. 

 Gordon, Civil Engineer, relative to lighthouses constructed 

 of iron, I find it there stated, " that the estimated ex- 

 pense, by the Superintending Engineer at Singapore, for 

 the masonry alone, amounted to 15,000/., whereas, one 

 of iron could be delivered, and erected at Singapore, at 

 the cost of 3,000/. ; yet by a late notice in one of the 

 Singapore papers, the probable erection of a lighthouse on 

 Pedra Branca is alluded to." 



The attention of Government has been " from time to 

 time ", commencing, I believe, as far back as the year 



