“I would recommend that whoever you may put in command should be sent to have a look at the locality and neighboring coast where the cable is to be landed. This may prove of vital importance should the coast be approached in the summer fogs or haze.
“I hope you will understand from this that I fairly covet the distinction, yet could not wisely leave so fine a service for anything so indefinite as the command of the Great Eastern may prove to be. Should I be chosen for the temporary command, I would, for my own reputation, and in my friendship for you, bend all my energies to insure success to so grand an international scheme.
“I know Professor Bache very well. Admiral Dupont, General Doyle, Agassiz, Pierce, and others dine with me to-day. I know Bache so much that I think nothing too good for him. The United States coast survey is a monument to his fame that can never die or become useless, and I think its accuracy is unquestionable.
“With renewed thanks for your interest in me, and every kind wish to you and yours,
“I remain
“Yours very truly,
“James Anderson.
“P. S.—I think I resume command of the China again on my return, but do not yet know.”
For the account of a dinner given by Mr. Field on the evening of December 12th in this year we are indebted to the Life of General John A. Dix:
“On the —— of December, 1864, while in command of the Department of the East, I was dining at the house of Mr. Cyrus W. Field with a party of ladies and gentlemen. Lord Lyons, the British Minister, sat on Mrs. Field’s right hand, and my seat was next to his. When the dinner had been a short time in progress a telegraphic despatch was brought to me at the table informing me that a party of secessionists from Canada had taken possession of the village of St. Albans, in Vermont, and were plundering it. Informing Mr. and Mrs. Field that I had received a communication which demanded my personal attention, I left the table, promising to return as soon as possible. I immediately went to my headquarters, and telegraphed to the commanding officer at Burlington—the nearest military station—ordering him to send the forces at his disposal to St. Albans with the utmost despatch, and, if the marauders were still there, to capture them if possible. I instructed him also that if he came in sight of them and they crossed the Canada line while he was in pursuit, to follow them.
“After giving these orders I returned to the dinner-table, and, having resumed my seat, told Lord Lyons that I had been called away by a very unpleasant summons, and informed him what I had heard from St. Albans and what order I had given.”
This dinner was referred to by Mr. Field, and he has said that when General Dix told him of his order he exclaimed, “That means war.” He was persuaded that had it not been that Lord Lyons and General Dix were together this evening when the news of the invasion was received serious trouble might have arisen between the two countries. Before the evening was over the general and the minister had had a long talk, and later General Dix modified his order, so far as it related to the pursuit of the invaders into Canadian territory.