New-York daily tribune., 1858-10-12
WHO FATHEPED THE ATLANTIC
TELEGRAPH

Ldger Of the 2sth ut. card in reply TO that of Cyrus
W. Field, and the other Directors of the n. Y, n.
Of and London Telegraph Company" respecting
his claims and those Of Mr. Horace b. Tebbetts to the
paternity Of the Atlantic Telegraph. Mr.. Osborne
commences his recital OF facts at the point of his first
visit to the Lower Provinces in lSFs as representa-
tive of the British North American Electric Telegraph
Association. The line having been completed in lSi9
he appointed General Superb tendent of the Nova
Scotia portion. In 1850 he laid plan before the Gov
errment Con mssioners for running submarine line
from Cape Race to Cape Ray, flying carrier pigeons
and running boats the straits of Northumber-
land to Cape Breton and thence by overland ines to
New-York-pgeons and boats to be required only
until such time the experiments, then making in En-
gland with submarine cables should warrant similar
attempt between Cape Ray and Cape Breton The
Newfoundland Legislature voted a sufficient sum to
cover the expense of survey between St. Johns and
Cape Ray and offered the charge of the expedition to
Mr.. Osborne, who resigned his appointment, and on
December 4, 1851 accomplished the survey through
$50 miles of woods and wilderness
Leaving the matter in the hands of officials at ST.
Johns Mr.. Osborne visited the United States for the
first time, arriving in New-York in February, 1882
There he met Mr.. Horace b. Tebbetts, who was then
working for the proposed line of New-York and Gal
way steamers.
ale offered me s2O OO0 the Chief Engineershp ofthe
work at salary 900. and large bonus of stock
if would return TO ST. Johns, procure charter and
then allow him to introduce it before the public This
offer being liberal, | accepted it.
Il then, at my own expense, returned to Newtound-
land and the Legislature granted excusi'e .ha,'cr
with many valuable priyieso9 Attached, 70 fIcoer'9
Newton Gisbvrne and associates lhis charter
placed in the hands Of Mr. Tebbetts, who speedily sue
ceeded in raising sufficient funds wheewith to COM
mence operations. At this time we freely discussed
the Atlantic Telegraph, and when, few weeks later,
left New-York for London, carried with me letters
of introduction from one of the NovaScotia Commits
sioners to John W. Brett ESQ., the inventor OF suoma-
rine cables. That Mr.. Brett and myself thoroughly
understood each other in reference to the Atlantic ne
his annexed letters to myself during the years lS12,
1853 and 1851 amply testify and need no further COM
men from my PEN
In one of the suboined letters dated July IL, 1852,
Mr. Brett speaks to Mr.. Osborne Of your plan of
uniting the Colonies with the mother country in an
other nndatAd rfa~~-~- - .""de to the capital re-
quired and the of raising it, IN lniiu, ouJ o,
1853, Mr.. Osborne is advised to secure an exclusive
privilege for the enterprise in their joint Names in
fourth April 81 1851, it il suggested that the line be
carried into operation as Brett and Gisborne's Allan
tic Telegraph
Why was not the scheme published to the world in
1852?
because was looked upon wild visionary by
my friends and pronounced fool by my relatives tor
resiening a lucrative Government appointment IN
favor of such laborous speculation rs me NeN,ounu'
land connection. Now had coupled it at that time
time with an Atlantic ne all confidence in the Pr'or
undertaking would have been destroyed ana my OBJECT
defeated; my reply, therefore to Mr. Brett Wa III
yariably Let ls await the completion OF the New
foupdlaud line and then viii enter fully upon the
greater undertaking. o,,,.,
Mr. Osborne goes on to state that III io'- "e '''i
the frst submarine cable in American waters,
between Prince Edwards Island and New Brunswick
" 70, the Newfoundland Electric Telegra 9h Company.
Bu his drafts upon the Company were protested, he
sacrificed all lis property and was arrested Tor deo
and his young wife died suddenly lie was released
from bail on giving his word that he would undertake
the form alton of company, and have all claims
paid In June 1884, he went TO New-fork.
"Soon after my arrival | was introduced to the
| late Chandler White. esq. and hea TO Cyrus w.
Field Among other documents, submitted 10 theih
all Mr. Bretts correspondence, including one letter IN
which Mr.. Brett proposed to purchase the ihsonenl %
| Newfoundland Electric Telegraph Companys auairS
| for 4 10 $50 sterling as a nucleus for he AHaa'c
| T.leerGph -Four Newfoundland gentlemen one 9i
them being the largest creditor against the Newfouna
land Electric Telegraph Company were awaiting my
return at the Asor House after my interview win NJ
| Field and are prepared, II necessary, 10 hiane
affidavit that my fra words on entering tle saIoon'
with Bretts letters in my hand, were; ''eh,ieuisu,
nv mind is easy as Mr. Field fully enterlalns the ,lea
of the Atlantic Telegraph in connection Win the New
foundland line; or words TO like eject. No. c,onor
| Mr. Field then associated with MIN Peter Cooper,
! Moses Taylor, Marshall o. Roberts, Chahd,sf ' "n
and Prof Morse, and agreed that II woni9 aceoH -
pany himself and others to Newfoundland ana ass'' ~
procuring the repeal Of my Newioundland 'iaI'e S
| the passing Of and more extendei QUO, ~! ~
would assume the Companys debts, ther uxs ~, r,d
self included | agreed, and WIN Hyrus rr,'seded TO
Chandler White and David j. Field procgedea . a., ~
Newfoundland The Legislature then Passsu 'ne a.,
entitled the New-York, Newfoundland ana Londo dod
Telegraph Company, granting eScl9slVs ah1 C,s "
privileges TO Peter Cooper, Moses Isy,J, s; sd Fred
Field, Marshall %. Roberts, Chandler " ii'' ~
| enc Newton Osborne ,,.o
Mr. Osborne was then appointed Chei
salary 3 geo, but finding his plans di'r.saiueo,
s;sned agreeing, however, to marx oui the .,Ns
tween Cape Race and Cape Ray. DIT. "o.'n'"
Field. Cyrus VS. brother, succeeded nm anu ."'
succeeded by a Mr.. Cha.les B. Elis. la me spring
ofls56 Mr. Gi.borne was respponted Cuie
"a, salary Of g. 600, and with bonus oi |l'vOe
completed the line during September dia :" =! ''''
October and received in cash and stock s''V'V' 81,
NJ. Gi,borne adds tha. h. considers Mr. eyruS "
Field under the guse of friendshi, his Wors'
Trne he advocated my reappointment as ChlTL Ln
Qineer. because II was apparent to the 80 10 4,
the line tha, my supe:IIteno1scs MAS work
successful completion. Nheh, now ,,,.d on nv nj
inc NIGHT and dav in his interests, spurea o ~ "
,yom;.s thai .o soon a. the line was nhisneu,
.sbouN accompany him 10 England iqi 'ils pSa h
of introducing the Atlanilne me " ~ ;tb mo ou,
goes quietly IF hy himse makes le,ni Ns cnntant vii
friend, Brett and places me s'Ss 9fsr Of services 70 II
Atlantic e omnspy and then endea vored 70 naid u
In tbe u;n5s ii nv friends and coultr. shcn Y,
his ,atsrv nnrade scurrilous letters pIR'''-hs
= be f.om Boston and Halifax. .-a-
= owhr :. ,h,. name David Dudley fiela plsesd wi
t.j '