The Sun.
London, England, 1868-12-09 00:00:00

THE FRAIVCO-AMERICAN TELEGRAPH

COMPANY.

The directors, shareholders, and others interested tr
the success of the Socidte3 du Cable Transatlantiqus
:Francais dined together on Tuesday evening at the Albion
Tavern, Aldersgate-street. The chair was occupied b 3,
the American Minister, Mr. Reverdy Johnson; and
amongst the company present were Sir John Hay, Sir
Daniel Gooch, Professor Sir Charles IVheatstone, Mr.
Morse, United States Consul, Baron d'Erlanger, Baron
Pernet, Admiral La Capelle (French navy), Captain
Richards, RN., hydrographer to the Admiralty, Captain
Sherard Osborn, htN., Mr. C. Grinnell, &c.
The health of the Queen and of the Emperor and
Empress of the French have been duly honoured,
Sir JOHN Hit proposed the health of Mr. Reverdy
Johnson, observing that no Minister to the English Court
had been received with such enthusiasm, and no Minister
had, by his public acts, so thoroughly deserved that
enthusiasm, as Mr. Johnson.

The American MINISTER, in acknowledging the compli-
ment, said that of the mans associations h,
had formed with the English people this was
amongst the most pleasant, not only because he
had there met with a 'people speaking the same language
as himself, and who thought as he thought, but because
he had also been brought into direct communication with
the representatives of other nations who were equally as
friendly with the people of the United States, and equally
anxious to preserve peace amongst the nations of the world.
Ile was sufficiently acquainted with the details and objects
of the enterprise in which they were engaged to feel
assured that it was one which the best of men might
combine to promote, because it was destined still further
to bind together in one harmonious brotherhood all the
nations of the world. Doubtful as many were of the
success of the first effort to unite England and the
united States by means of the electric telegraph, that
doubt existed no longer ; and it was impossible that such
a communication should fail to strengthen the bond of
brotherhood, and open out new channels for the develop-
ment of civilisation, and the spread of that Christian faith
in which the nations concerned had a common interest.
He denied that the new enterprise would injuriously
affect the interests of the old company. In his opinion
there was no ground for that suspicion. The increase in
the populations on both sides of the Atlantic was so
rapid that in the course of a short time a dozen cables
would not suffice to meet their requirements. Moreover,
the competition between the two would tend to the
• advantage of both, for competition was the life of trade
between individuals as between nations, and no share-
holder need be in doubt as to the remuneration that would
be obtained from his investment. Now, if he were
correctly informed, with the high rates which the old com-
pany bad felt bound to exact, the reward was almost
princely, and in proportion as the rates had been reduced
had the reward increased. And if the new company
still further reduced the rates, so far from striking a
blow at existing interests, such a policy would in-
crease the prosperity of both. Mr. Johnson then
referred to doubts which had been expressed with
regard to the landing of the new cable upon American
territory, and after explaining that the several States
possessed sovereign rights independent of the federation,
the hon. gentleman intimated his belief that no difficulty
would be interposed in this respect. In conclusion, he
proposed success to the new undertaking.
In the course of the proceedings which followed, Baron
D'ERLANCER acknowledged the obligations of the company
to the British Admiralty, and especially to Captai.
Richards and other officers who had rendered such valuable
assistance. Before leaving the chair,
Mr. Jonisson., speaking as the representative of tn,
American people, said : We desire to stand well with the
people of England, and with all other nations. We like
"the almighty dollar," and the best way to obtain that is
by being on terms of amicable relationship with all people.
If you give us a fair chance I shall be very much surprised
if we don't at least equal you. Your institutions
and ours differ in some respects, but they differ only in
degree. We think we are free, and we are so certainly
impressed with that idea that we have made up our
minds to continue to be free. Governments may
go on if principles do not. A Government, if I under-
stand my friend on my right (Sir J. Hay), now in its last
extremity is to be followed by a. Government which, if I
am not greatly mistaken, will, as far as the great prin-
ciples of human feeling are concerned, tread in the foot-
steps of their predecessors, and I shall also be much
mistaken if those who go out do not, in the course of a few
days, prove to be a great deal happier than those who go in.
As far as America is concerned, although Lord Stanley,
whose name I cannot mention without---I was going to say
affection—although his lordship gives place to Lord Cla-
rendon, whom it is my privilege and happiness to know,
the change will be of little, if any, consequence. With
the seals of office in the hands of either, peace between
your nation and ours is certain, and a great deal more
certain than that the sun will shine upon you to-morrow.