The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-17
THE ATLANTIC TELEGRApH

Nearly fortnight has elapsed since the success of the
Atlantic telegraph has been spread throughout the length
and breadth of the land and everywhere the glad news
has been received with general rejoicing Indeed the
most intense excitement has prevailed everywhere and
with very little ntenission up TO the present time but
since the message teegapbed the 18th instant to The
effect that the experiments of Professor Whtehoue the
electrician In chief OF the company and his assistants
conducted in private and since they decline 10 give
any information beyond the that signals are success
fully passing through the cable from the telegraph office
at Trinity bay to the telegraph Office at yalenta bay,
Ireland great fears have been entertained lest something
is wrong with the cable The messages from the agents
of the Associated Press simply state that all is right but
something more is wanted to satisfy the public mind SO
great the anxiety that it has already been hinted by
one OF our contemporaries that it has been thought best TO
have the first despatch the telegraph transmit
ted by the steamer Ii very reasonable TO suppose
that II the electricians at either end of the line could
communicate in words they would not fail to do 80 and
the joyful intelligence to this effect would Immediately be
sent throughout the country But the last advices are
rather favorable 1t stated Sunday last that
there to doubt that the electricians would
be able in few days to surmount all difficulties The
Instruments require great deal of care and adjusting
and this is being done with the greatest possible despatch
private despatch states that communications have been
reported from vaenta bay, but owing to some unex-
planned cause, it has been found impossible TO send
word TO Valentia Such difficulties often encountered
in land lines and it is not doubted but that this will
shortly be overcome and that the obstacle will be found
to exist in The recording instrument We are Inclined to
look upon the difficulties which exist in the most
favorable light, and hopes sangune of ultimate
success
In various parts of the country the ncorgible wags
have been hoaxing the people The last incident Of this
L. 4 - M. .
Several young gentlemen, having become exceedingly
tired of the perfect quetness Of that village and tho in
tense heat concocted bogus dispatches from Queen Vic
tora and President Buchanan and addressed them to the
mayor The mayor having received them Immediately
made preparations for grand demonstration In honor of
the success of the enterprise The county court which
then in session. upon the receipt OF the dispatches
ordered them TO be spread upon the minutes and one Of
their eminent lawyers made eloquent speech after
which the court adjourned. The courthouse and the
various church bells in the Immediately set to
ringing and the enerprising propretos of the Martins
burg Republican quickly got out extras which were ex-
tcnsvey circulated amongst the community. The gen
eal rejoicing which then took place can well be mag
incd but when twas found out that their 10y was pre-
mature their elongated countenances and hanging heads
in strong contrast with their previous elation We
not informed whether the authors of the humbuc
discovered whether any dire penalty was visited
upon them. We hope, however that they may 20 scot
free for they really deserve great credit for having stirred
up the patriotism of that growing little village
This great achievement is not without unbelieyels
Mr.. Francis G Young who claims to know something
about tho science and practice Of telegraphng in COM
munication published in the New York Evening Post
has stated fact that matter what the distance of
the line ii the electric current is perfect no operator in
the world will ask for more than an hour to get ready
I'M" u - -al-.
generally required and for these mysterious signals
and recording Instruments he remarks that reading by
sound is safer and time To the operator the
clicking heard in the Offices as meaningless and
unintelligble to the public the rafting of the weavers
shuttle is understood well If the words were spoken
through trumpet Why then he asks, should there
be delay in the Atlantic cable for recording nstru
ments There is doubtless great deal Of truth in
what Mr.. Young says and it may be that these smean
pgess and unintegble sounds are perfectly well under
stood by Mr. Whtehouse and his assistants but still
nasmuch they unable to transmit messages repu-
larly, they unwilling to give the Queen message
in that way 1t is not improbable that they are anxious
to have the recording instruments perfectly adjusted SO
that all messages be sent before they open the enter
prise to the public Although we In common with
others are very anxious for the receipt of the Queen
message looking upon that the final proof OF the sue
cess of the project still would rather wait few DAYS
longer than to receive that message in the manner which
lie indicates.
1t seems to us that Mr.. Young has not written his
communication without object In view He seems in
cned to throw dcredit upon Hughes instruments and
cndeavors show that If successful communication il e
,bshed it can only be done by the of the character
telegraph We not prepared to express opinion upon
the merits of these two Instruments but we do think
that if the instrument with which they are at present
making experiments should not answer the purpose
they should then give Mr. Hughess instrument fair trial
Al all events inclined to wait while longer bo
fore throwing dscredit upon the enterprise Like all
great achievements time must eapse before IL is render
cd perfect few years very few persona indeed be,
eved in the feasibility of establishing elegraphic com
muncation with another continent !; and at no time
were doubts more freely and fully expressed than lust
on the very of its accomplishment great deal has
been accomplished, and do not believe that human
ingenuity has been far exhausted that completc and
final success will not be attained W
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An ERROR CORRECTED.
WASHINGTON, August 16, 1853
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