The Sun.
London, England, 1860-05-28 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sir,—The secretary of the Atlantic Telegraph
Company, in a letter published in your columns on
Thursday last, attributes to the promoters of the
Northern, or Danish route, whom he designates as
" hostile individuals," certain "statements which
have recently appeared, wherein it has been
erroneously set forth that the Atlantic Telegraph
is an entire failure owing to its great length ; that
the cable submerged between Ireland and New-
foundland is 3,000 miles in length, and that the
researches of scientific electricians have recently
tended to show the impossibility of establishing a
direct line from Valentia to Trinity Bay, and of
working so great a length at a profit if established."
Now, sir, on behalf of the gentlemen promoting
the Northern route, I am requested to deny that
any statements have appeared with their sanction
which can justify Mr. Saward's imputations. As
one of those who waited on Lord Palmerston on
the occasion referred to, I most unhesitatingly de-
clare that not a single observation fell from any
member of the deputation in my hearing which
could have been deemed " hostile" to the Atlantic
Company even by the chairman himself, and I have
been unable to put my hand upon any report of
their proceedings on that occasion which would
warrant such a conclusion ; on the contrary, a most
willing tribute of gratitude was accorded by more
than one speaker to those who so nobly devoted
themselves to that great undertaking. With these
sentiments the promoters of the Northern route en.
tirely concur; they feel the deepest sympathy with
those who have so liberally expended their time,
their money, and their influence in attempting to
unite the Old World with the New. The names of
William Brown, Samuel Gurney, George Peabody,
and other distinguished gentlemen who sustained
that enterprise, through good report and evil re-
port, will ever be remembered in the history of
telegraphy. Nor do those interested in the Nor-
thern route view the present efforts of the Atlantic
Company with indifference, for, while they believe
that there will be ample remuneration without call-
ing in the aid of Government for every line that
can be successfully submerged, they at the same
time feel that the permanent and efficient working
of the Atlantic Company's cable of 2,050 miles
would be the best possible guarantee for the trium-
phant success of their own.

It is not my intention to enter into a discussion
as to the relative advantages of the two routes, and
I shall not make any further remark on the com-
parative distances set forth in Mr. Saward's letter
be yond observing that the only fair way to put the
question would be by comparing the distances be-
tween London and New York or between the re-
spective termini of the lines in Great Britain and
America, in either of which cases I think it will be
shown that little or no advantage is possessed by
either on this score.

Nor shall I attempt to follow Mr. Saward in his
description of the "adverse influences" and other
" disturbing causes" which he infers may interfere
with the northern line; these and other scientific
questions I leave to be dealt with by those whose
lengthened stay in northern latitudes must constitute
them the best judges of such matters. My object has
been mainly to endeavour to remove the impres-
sion that any statements " depreciatory" or " inac-
curate" have emanated from those whom I repre-
sent, and, while I may be allowed to differ from Mr.
Saward as to " theperfeet practicability of deep and
long sea telegraphs" in the present state of telegra-
phic science, I can cordially unite with him in the
liberal desire he has expressed that if her Majesty's
Government does consent to incur the expense of
making the survey of the northern route, " great
care should be taken that it be made in a perfectly
independent and complete manner, and that the re-
sults (as should have been the case with regard to
previous surveys) should be accessible for the bene-
fit of the whole world."—l am, Sir, yours respect-
fully, WILLIAM B EVAN.
6, Old Jewry, May 26.