The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-09


doctor, but by some one else, Immediately be-
fore her death-on the very day Of her death,
no doubt. Who gave them? As it was sworn
that Mr.. Gamble was constantly administering
something from bottle, we are of opinion
that the discharge of Mr.. Gamble and Mrs.
Hujus is not satisfactory close to the case,
and we hope the coroner may unravel the
mystery that befogged the country justice.
relesrapas ia China and Across tho Pacific
Ocean. r.,:s.r. ~, IS
The project for laying G telegraph cable
along the coast Of China is soon to be carried
out. The East India Telegraph Company, Of
which Governor Curtin, Of Pennsylvania, is
president, is about to close its subscription
book and to commence Immediately the manu-
facture of the cables to connect the great COM
mercial cities Of the Chinese empire by this
wonderful agent Of modern civilization. It is
confidently asserted that the entire line from
Canton to Macao, Hong Kong, Swallow, Annoy,
Foochow, Wan-Chu, Ningpo, Hangtchean
and Shanghae will be completed and in opera
ton in little more than year from this time
say by January, 1870. The company, which
is entirely an American one, and which has its
headquarters in New York, has the privilege
from the government of China to make this
telegraph connection. The cities which we
have named and at which the cable or
cables will touch extend along the coast
distance Of near nine hundred miles, and are
the outlet and inlet of all the vast foreign trade
of the empire. They contain population of
six millions When 1t is considered that the
trade Of China coming and going through these
ports amounts to about sixteen hundred mil
lions Of dollars year, and that the Chinese and
foreign merchants there are among the most
enterprising in the world, it can be seen what
an immense business there must be for q
telegraph. But vast as the present trade is it
win receive an extraordinary development
under the operation of Geographic communica-
ton. This, however, is only the beginning.
As soon as the Chinese see the value of this
mighty power in stimulating trade and dinus-
ing intelligence, and their prejudices as con-
sequence shall be removed, they will want
telegraphs all over their vast empire. Who
can imagine the results Of such progress among
a population of four hundred millions Of in
dustrious people? Who can realize the advan-
tages to all nations trading with China and the
civilizing influence of such movement?
That great empire, containing more than
third of the human race, which
has been closed against the rest OF
the world through all ages, has been brought
for the first time into the family Of nations
through the Burlingame mission. But that
great event is only the pioneer of more sur
prising progress. The telegraph, railroads
and steam power are going to open wonder
full future, and in this the enterprise Of the
East India Telegraph Company is the COM
mencement
There is, however, another project now be-
fore Congress, and introduced by Mr.. Collins,
of Russian telegraph fame, which is destined
to turn the current of trade from Asia to and
through the United States. We mean the pro-
ject of the Pacific telegraph, starting from San
Francisco, thence along the shores of America
to Alaska, and from there across the North
Pacific Ocean by way OF the Aleutian Islands
to Kamschatka, Japan and China. This, to-
gether with the lines from Russia and from
Europe by way Of India, will complete the
girdle of the earth. Shakspeare's prophetic
dream will be accomplished. Telegraphc
communication with China and all the East by
this route is much easier of attainment than
has been generally supposed. Comparatively
short cables will be required; perhaps
the longest will not be more than
six hundred miles. That beautiful chain Of
islands which stretches across the North Pa
cifc from Alaska to Kamschatka, and which
recently came into our possession by the Rus
sian purchase, seems to have been placed there
| by Providence for the purpose Of connecting
| Asia and America In the bonds of commerce
and civilization. With the completion of the
Pacific Railroads over the Continent, with the
| establishment of steamship lines across the
Pacific Ocean, and with the telegraphic CON-
| munication we speak of the United States
must soon acquire monopoly Of Asiatic trade
and become the commercial centre Of the
globe. But we must not neglect the opportu-
| mites that lie before us. The British are Wig
orously pushing their telegraph lines by the
way Of the Mediterranean and Central Asia to
India and China. They are making desperate
efforts to draw and hold monopoly Of the
Chinese trade by this means. All the natural
advantages, however, are on our side. Shall
we not avail ourselves of them? We hope
Congress will not delay in passing the neces-
sary laws and in giving all the encouragement
possible for the Pacific telegraph. II should
act at once. Then we should see within two
years not only the telegraph established in
China but one across the Pacific as well, plac-
ing us In instant communication with oil the i'm
portant points Of that great empire and the ASH