Straits Settlements
L10: Singapore: Letters to Bencoolen Page 9 of 423
the following works with the least delay practicable.

On the hill overlooking the Settlement and commanding it and a considerable portion of the anchorage, a [secure?] fort, or a commodious blockhead on the principle which I have already described to you, capable of mounting 8 or 10 twelve-pounders, and of containing a magazine of brick or stone, together with a barrack for the permanent residence of 30 European artillery, and for the temporary accommodation of the rest of the garrison, in case of emergency.

Along the coast in the vicinity of the Settlement, one or two strong batteries for the protection of the shipping, and at Sandy Point, a redoubt and to the east of it, a strong battery for the same purpose.

The retrenchment of the Cantonment by Lines and a Palisade, as soon as labour can be spared from works of more immediate importance.

14.  These defences together with a Martello tower on Deep Water Point, which it is my intention to recommend to the Supreme Government, will in my judgement render the Settlement capable of maintaining a good defence.  The principle on which works were charged for at Malacca, is to be considered as applicable to this Station, and it is unnecessary for me to urge to you the necessity of confining the cost of these works within the narrowest limits possible.  As the construction of these, however, will necessarily demand a greater portion of care and superintendence than the performance of your other duties will permit you to devote to them, I have appointed Lieutenant Ralfe of the Bengal Artillery to be Assistant Engineer.  This officer will, likewise, have charge of the Ordnance and Military Stores, and for the duties attendant on both these appointments conjoined, I have fixed his salary at Spanish $200 per mensum, to commence from the 1st instant, and subject to the confirmation of the Supreme Government.
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