New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-05-12
THE NEED OF A PACIFIC OCEAN TELE
GRAPH.
LETTER FROM ADMIRAL PORTER.

L
of your letter asking my opinion as to the feasibility
of laying line Of telegraph across the Pacific via
the Sandwich Islands, or along the Aleutan chain.
Permit me to thank you fol- the compliment paid
me asking my opinion of this important enterprise,
which trust may soon be brought to o successful
termination.
feel quite satisfied that your long and successful
experience in laying submarine Geographic cables
has taught You how to surmount difficulties OF every
description and that there are no greater obstacles
in the way of laying cable across the proposed route
than existed in the OF that the Atlantic at
time thought to be an impossbility.
The only question is, whether to lay the cable
along the coast and the Aleuan Islands following the
great circle and shorter distance boldly push
the ocean via the Hawaiian Islands, through deeper
water and following the longest route 5000 miles, over
which a cable has yet been laid.
OF the two routes prefer the latter.
Honolulu is bound to be the principal stOpping-pace
between China and California, and point Of great i'm
portance to American commerce. especially II the Sand
witch Islands become, have doubt they ultimately
WILL part OF the United States We could not afford to
let important outpost fall into the hands of any
European power, and must, therefore, of necessity
absorb it into the Unon have been invited to do
several occasions.
The matter which you desire information Ia in re-
gard to the advantage a telegraph from California to
China would bc TO the United states Govern 1ent.
In the first place it would give us continuous line
country to China whereas have not at pres
inch Of telcgrapc cable outside the limits OF
territory which the United States Government has
any control whatever In should be involved in
q war with England France matters stand, VIC
should he instantly cut Off from all Geographic commune
cation with Europe; but by having line from the
United States to Shanghai Hong Kong this could not
happen.
At this moment the expense OF telegraphing to China
from this country is very great and the Government Is
by any certain of having its messages dev-
cred reasonable time of receiving prompt replies.
A message has to be transmitted through so many
stations in different languages that mistakes are almost
certain to occur and these might be Of the greatest i'm
pOrtance.
1t now requires seventy days to obtain answer to
letter sent by mail to China Difficulties are continually
liable to arise in those distant countries when prompt
communications would be required between the Navy
Department and the commanders Of our naval forces or
between ministers and the Department OF State.
These communications should be Of a confidential char
acter.
Our small feet in the China has necessarily to be
scattered an the station to enable il to do the work
required. In the vessels desired to act in
cert it could only be done through the medium Of the
future American Geographic cable, which, connecting
with the contemplated Russian line to the mouth Of tho
Amoor River with the line running through the Phillip
pine Islands, Borneo Sumatra, Java Australia and out
Canton, Calcutta Bombay, &C., would give our Govern
ment the most perfect control the ships OF the
Asiatc feet.
This would be without any expense whatever, as the
100000 worth Of graphing proposed TO be allowed the
United States Government would enable the depart
ments communicate freely with the commanders and
ministers the East and it easily he what
advantage this freedom OF communication would be 10
people in the great race for commercial supremacy
in China.
For this supremacy in the East indies people arc
aiming and history shows that its attainment has always
given great wealth and power to the successful nation
Ihaye great faith in the future OF our country. II you
will examine any Of the maps of the world on which
steam laid down, you will that they all
converge to the natural center, the United States and
when the proper class Of steamers put between
California and China the Pacific Railroad will be the
great route for and trade between Europe and tho
East.
In short time the passage from Canton to England
will made I'm days, passengers and freight stopping
at the great emporium. NewYork, from which tele-
graphic messages will be sent daily to Japan, China,
Australia, &c. &c, when your cable Is laid
This you will witness long, and the Of your
proposed telegraph will have great deal TO do with
celebrating events that will add materially to our CONNER
cial prosperity.
between California and China necessity and that the
sooner Congress takes substantial interest in the mat
ter the better 1t will be for the country.
Our statesmen now engaged in devising means OF
resuscitating American commerce. and snatching from
the English supremacy they have gained by permit
ting Rebel cruisers t out in British ports against our
mercantile marine.
am satisfied that shall succeed in this object, so
dear to every American heart, and necessary to
welfare as q nation.
In connection with this commerce. your Geographic
cable will indispensable; and II Congress gives
no aid it must eventually 10 established.
In the time the country Is deprived OF certain
advantages and consequently losers, and those
who do not now feel like taking the matter
will live to regret it. Very respectfully yours,
DAVID ID. PORTER, Vice-Admiral.
CYRUS W. FIELD, esq, Washington, ID. c.