shape of a lighthouse on the Rocos, their cordial and hearty assistance and support, if it is set on foot on your side.
Now can't you find in every State, among the leading men, admirers of Maury, to club together into a memorial committee by which the circular can be issued to the scientific societies all over the world inviting their co-operation, and asking the Emperor of Brazil's sanction to erect a lighthouse by private international subscriptions to the great hydrographer; and if the Emperor would like to accept it for maintenance and repair, and by so doing let his contribution take this shape, that the lighthouse shall be built by His Majesty out of the committee's funds, and be lighted and maintained out of the Brazilian exchequer?
| Most truly yours, |
| Jansen. |
| To General Francis H. Smith. |
Maury, in his Sailing Directions, had called the attention of the United States Government to the importance of a lighthouse on the Rocos, as may be seen by the following extracts. Vol. 2, 8th Ed., 1859, p. 348:—
"The trans-equatorial trade of Europe, as well as that of America, is interested in the establishment of a lighthouse or beacon on the Rocos. Grass Island is ten feet or more—so says Lieutenant Lee—above the water, and the cocoanut would grow finely there. It is to be hoped that the request contained in the following letter will be complied with at an early day.
| Sir, | Observatory, Washington, October 29th, 1858. |
The new routes to the line have brought the Rocos of Brazil in 'the fair way' of all vessels bound thence to Rio, to California, India, China, Australia, or any of the ports beyond either of the two Great Southern Capes.
These shoals (the Rocos) were well surveyed by Lieutenant S. P. Lee, in the 'Dolphin,' in 1852, when she was sent, under the law of 1849, to assist in the investigations of this office. They are in lat. 3° 51' S., long. 33° 49' W. Two small islands, Grass and Sand Islands, are on these shoals. They are a few feet above the water. The first warning that a navigator has of his approach to them is generally by the breakers.
Captain Sam G. Brooks, of the bark 'Inman,' thinks that
