Being of opinion that a plan of this nature if carried into execution, would add to
the security of H.M.Ships, I stated my opinion on this subject in a letter to the
Editor of a Newspaper, shortly after the unfortunate loƒs of the Ships mentioned above,
but he did not give it a place in his paper.- You my Dear Sir, must be better
acquainted ^{than I am} with the the state of Nautical Astronomy as practiced in the Navy, but I
know many Officers consider the acquirement of this knowledge as very difficult, and therefore
through prejudice, resolve to bestow no attention to it, although of the greatest utility, and
ornamental to the naval profession. – Perhaps, if it could be done with propriety,
a hint from you relative to this subject, might in a certain degree attract the attention
of those concerned, if published in the Naval Chronicle, or in any other way that seems
preferable, – but of this you are the best judge.– With much esteem, I am thy Dear Sir
                your Sincerely obliged
                      Jas. Horsburgh