The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-08-21
How the Ocean Telegraph Originated.


While the public are rejoicing at the
consumation of laying the telegraph cable,
it is source of iustifable pride and exul-
tation that this great work is purely of
American origin. The Atlantic Tele-
graph enterprise was born in the dining
room of Cyrus W. Field, 81 Gramercy
park, in the city of New York, one quiet
evening in the early part of March, 1854.
There were present Cyrus W. Field, his
brother David Dudley Field, Samuel T.
B. Morse, Peter Cooper, Moses Taylor,
Marshal O. Roberts and Chandler White
Maps were laid On the table, and gene
raj conversation snsued upon the praeti-
cability of the enterprise and the best
route. They then and there formed an
association for the purpose of establishing
telegraphic communication between Amer
lea and Europe. The most feasible mode
of establishing it was thought to be by
way of Newfoundland; and it was deter
mined to apply to the Legislature of that
island for an act of incorporation.
The two Mr.. Fields and Mr.. White
Immediately proceeded to Newfoundland
to lay the matter before the Legislature
of that island, and to ask for charter and
other assistance. These three gentlemen
arrived at st. Johns about the Goth day of
May, 1854, and at once called upon the
Governor, who conYoked the Executive
Council the same day. These gentlemen
appeared before them, and David Dudley
Field made an elaborate and powerful
address. The Governor promised them
an answer that day. In an hour or two
the answer was given to them in writing,
that he would Immediately send in aspe-
cial message to the Legislative Assembly,
then in session, recommending them to
pass an act of incorporation, with guar
antee of the interest on the compaDy's
bonds to the amount of $4,000, and a
grant of fifty square miles of land on the
island of Newfoundland, to be selected
by the company.
These terms being agreed upon, Mr..
Cyrus W. Field returned two days after to
New York, to fit out the steamer Victoria
for the use Of the company, and David
Dudley Field and Chandler White re-
manned in Newfoundland six weeks to
urge upon the Legislature the passage of
the charter and grants. Mr.. Fields CO.
gent reasoning and convincing arguments
On the floor of the Assembly finally ac-
complished the desired result. During
their sojourn upon the island, hospitalities
and attentions were showered upon Mr..
Field and Mr.. White in the most lavish
manner, by the officials and citizens of the
place, who looked upon them as public
benefactors. The charter was drawn by
David Dudley Field, and it was really
owing to his great legal ability and far
reaching sagacity that such advantages
were therein secured as afterwards en-
bled his brother, Cyrus w. Field. to en-
list the confidence and support of English
capitalists. Thus the happy conjunction
in these two brothers-the comprehensive
grasp of mind of the one, and untiring en-
ergy and perseverance of the other-have
at last brought "the consummation SO de-
voutly to be wished"
The preamble of the charter recites,
that "whereas it is deemed advisable to
establish line of telegraphic communica-
ton between America and Europe, by way
of Newfoundland" &C., therefore abe it
enacted" &c.
E. nj. Archibald, at present British Con-
sui in New York, was then Attorney Gen
eral of Newfoundland, and took warm
interest in the subject.
We have before us a copy of New
foundland newspaper published in April,
1854, giving an account of banquet held
in st. Johns on the occasion of the passage
of the above act. David Dudley Field
presided, and Chandler White acted as
Vice-President. A great number of
speeches were made; and to show that the
anticipations of that day have been real
lied, we give an extract from the speech
of the President:
David Dudley Field said-The time
will come, gentlemen, when the first ques-
ton throughout America will be, "What
is the news this morning from Newfound-
land?"
On the return of Messrs. Field and
White to New York, the 9th day of May,
1854, the company was organized under
the name of "Tbe New York, Newfound-
land and London Telegraph Company"
1t was under this act of incorporation
that the line has been established from
the eastern coast of Newfoundland to the
United States, at the sole expense of the
gentlemen above named.
In order to induce English capitalists
to contribute to the undertaking, it was
thought expedient to incorporate a new
company IN England for the purpose OF
establishing submarine line between
Newfoundland and Ireland; and Mr.. Cy-
rus W, Field went to England and sue
ceeded in organizing that company under
the name of The Atlantic Telegraph
Company" the two companies binding
themselves together by articles of agree
ment to operate in connection.
The public are familiar with the dis
couragements and difficulties that met
Mr.. Field at every step, but none can
fully know the sore trials he experienced
and the incredible efforts he made
Possessed ofan iron will and the most in
domitable energy, he has triumphed al
last; and when the whole of our people
had desponded, and the universal press
had sent forth lamentation that the
greatest enterprise of the nileteeth century
had failed, a telegraphic despatch thrilled
through the heart of the country
THE CABLE Is SUCCESSFULLY LAID
CYRUS w. FIELD"
Gov Robinson.
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