The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-04
Cyrus w. Field and the Atlantic Cable.
PREL1M1NAR1Es OF THE CABLE.

There is an unwritten history of the connec-
ton of Mr.. Field with the Atlantic Cable that
may have peculiar interest at this time. Mr..
Field desired to change his business and looked
around for some sphere for his peculiar talent,
He called one day on Moses Taylor, one OF our
wealthy and public-spirlted men, and proposed
to open new line OF railroad across the Isthmus,
and 80 create new line to California. This new
project was open Gin the mind of Mr.. Taylor, to
serious objections, and, SO tar as he was con-
ceTned, was abandoned. Soon after Mr.. Field
called again; he had now project, he said, that
was not open to the objections stated by Mr..
Taylor, and to which MIR. Field asked attention.
1t was to purchase the telegraph lines in the
Provinces, and connect them with the United
States. The Company held a valuable charter
from the New Brunswick Parliament. 1t was
unable to carry on business, and the whole fran
chise could be purchased at a small cost, and,
when put in complete repair, would prove
valuable investment. The charter was exa-
mined and found not to be satisfactory. But it
was said if the charter could be changed and
amended, and the lines put at a 10 price, the
purchase would be made. Mr.. Field agreed 70
needed in the charter, and to do this if paid
$1,000 and his expenses. Tue desired alterations
were made. Moses Taylor, Peter Cooper,
Marshall o. Roberts, Wilson G. Hunt, and c.
W. Field put in the sum of $4,000 each, and
became the Company.
THE CABLE SUGGESTED.
The success of this line did not equal the anti
to be failure, The boats had agreed to stop at
the telegraph stations, to and from Europe.
They did so for q time. But the fog made the
stoppings at times dangerous, and ships refused
to call, and so business seemed to take its fight
from the line. Soon, Mr.. Field met the Com
paly with a new wsuggestion-Why not lay cable
across the Atlantic, and so be independent OF
steamships and steam companies! Mr.. Field
was full of 1t then, as he has been ever since.
He won over his little company. He obtained
subscriptions to stock. He crossed the water on
the one great mission that now filed all his soul,
and to which he has since devoted his life.
HOW PROGRESS WAS MADE.
Mr.. Field began the work of raising money in
London. He had to stretch out his hands and
lift up his voice to q galnaaying people. He
put coil OF ocean cable about his neck and
went from banker to banker, from capitalist to
capitalist working day by day, never weary,
never disheartened ny refusals. Prosecuted or
| gained his point day by day till the first cable
was sent down to Its ocean bed.
i DARK DAYS
The first failure was repaired and the second
| cable took the place OF the last one Weary and
| sad, but with strong iaith in the ultimate sue
| cess OF the work, Mr. Field came home after the
| failure of the second attempt TO lay the cable.
/ Few spoke words of cheer or hope. The little
company who had raised the infant $4,000 up
to among the hiTies and the hundreds Of thou
| sands, had no more they wanted cast into the
| depth OF the sea. They regarded the thing as
| impTacticable, and wanted TO hear no more
about the cable. But Mr.. Field told the gentle
men that he would never give II up-whie lite
lasted he would renew the attempt tn 1t was q
success. Like Peter the Hermit he began the
new crusade. Partly from pity, partly from love
of the pluck Mr.. Field displayed, from one cause
or another, quite liberal subscription was OBJ
tanned tOT The third attempt