Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-08
COLLECTION
Cyrus Fields Private Papers Concern
ing the Atlantic Gable
Donated TO THE NATIONAL MUSEUM
Gift From Mrs. Judson, Daughter
of the Famous Electrician.
OF CABLEGRAMS

COPIES OF CABLEGRAMS
One of the most interesting collections
ever secured by the National Museum has
just arrived at that institution, and is be-
irg arranged for exhibition by Prof Geo.
c. Maynard. in charge of the electrical col
lections in the department of technology
under the direction of Prof. Watkins.
The collection was the property of Mrs.
Isabella Field Judson of Dobbs Ferry n.
Y, and comprises the private papers of her
father, Cyrus w. Field, relative to the lay
ing of the Atlantic cable, cablegrams first
sent, objects with which ne worked out his
idea of laying the cable, and many other
things of interest pertaining to it. The
correspondence end autograph copies Of
kilograms sent by Mr.. Field to the Presi-
dent of the United States and other prom
inent persons are extremely interesting.
There are many letters and draughts OF
plans invitations, sent and received. in
Mr.. Fields own writing. The copies of
the kilograms sent to his wife and father
just after the successful laying OF he
cable, or Atlantic telegraph" as he term
ed it. are especially attractive.
The Globe He Used.
An object in the collection which is cal
culated to inspire the greatest amount of
interest is the globe, constructed by a
London manufacturer, in which the great
electrician traced the course for the cable
to be laid from Newfoundland to Ireland.
The globe is about foot and half in
diamete-, on stand, with magnetic COM
pass underneath. and shows many signs
of hard Usage. The mind which studied its
details was the one which enabled the peo-
pie of two nations, separated from each
other by thousands of miles of salt wa
ter, to exchange communications almost
i'll the twinkling CT eye. Though the
cable after it was first thought to be put
successfully in operation did not act prop
crly for the Transmission of messages, and
a wait of several years, a harasSing soul
col sumiEg wait, interviewed. the originator
of the idea saw the successful culmina ton
of his plane.
Contents of Collection.
The journal kept by Mr.. Field, and notes
and officers of the Great Eastern, by which
the cable was laid, are Fart of the collec-
ton. MIR. Fields private library, with all
the literature relating to the work of lay
ing the cable. forms another part of il.
There are also copies of medals presented
him by Congress and the French govern
ment: engraved resolutions passed by
members of bodies in this country and
Europe. cane presented made from the
wood of the Great Eastern Among the
relics which cause the visitor to examine
closely and attentively are cases contain
ing sections of the first cable and those
evolved from it.
Sections of the message transmitted man
fractures fer the space of ten and fifteen
years after the first cable was laid down
and presented to Mr.. Field by the maaufac-
ttrers, are shown. A silver vase, gold
i'm hy- ,k;I
the occasion of his golden wedding, which
occurred in December. 1890. On this are
inscribed the names of all his children and
grandchildren. This is inlaid with parts OF
the cable, and also the steamer Great East
ern.
copy of report of the anniversary BAN
quet, held in London March 10 1865 to
commemorate the signature of the agree
ment for the establishment of the cable
between England and America. is exhibit
ed. The agreement was signed March 10,
1854.
OF Especial Vnlae.-
The charts, comprising a large number,
showing preliminary soundings and move
ments of the vessels engaged in the work
each day, in Mr.. Fields own writing. are
of especial value. The diaries contain a
large amount of interesting matter, show
ing the many disappointments with which
the writer met and the hundreds of obsta-
cles which had to be overcome by him
before the final triumph of the child of his
genius.
The copies of four kilograms sent Oh the
morning OF the completion of the work
the first time, were shown to The Star re-
porter. They followed within a few min
utes of one another the hour and minute
Icing given on each.
First Message to His Wife.
The first was as follows:
TRINITY BAY, Newfoundland.
august ). 1853
Mrs. Cyrus w. Field, No. 81 East 21st
street, New York.
Arrived here yesterday. All well. The
Atlantic telegraph cable successfully laid
Please telegraph me here Immediately.
'9:io IN. CYRUS w. FIELD"
TRINITY BAY. Newfoundland.
August ). 1858
'Messrs. Cyrus w: Field & Co, No. II
Cliff street, New York
Gable successfully laid Please inform
Mrs. Field Immediately, and let me knoy
by telegraph if my family are all well and
at the office. CYRUS w. FIELD
go am
was as follows:
TRINITY BAY. Newfoundland,
August 5, 1853.
Rev. DR.. Field, stockbrilga, Mass, via
Gable successfully laid. All well.
CYRUS w. FIELD"
80 q. m.
To President Buchanan
Mr.. Fields next thought was for the
President of the United States, James
Buchanan. who was sent the next teie-
gram, as follows:
~. S. S. NIAGARA,
TRINITY BAY, Newfoundland
August j. 1858
ITO the President of the United States
Washington. ID. c.
Dear Sir: The Atlantic telegraph cable
on board of the U.S.S.F. Niagara and H. NJ.
steamer Agamemnon was Joined in mid
ocean Thursday, July -, and has been
successfully laid.
LAS soon as the two ends are connect ed
with the land lines Queen Victoria will
send a message to you and the cable will
be kept free until after your reply has
been transmitted. With great respect l
remain,
Your obedient servant,
'1O:35 am. CYRUS w. FIELD"
Greetings 20 the People.
more extended message, intended for
the people of the United States was trans