CHAPTER XI
THE FAILURE OF 1865
ON February 25, 1865, Mr. Field writes:
“I have been absent from New York for some time on a visit to Washington and to General Grant’s army.”
It was on the previous day that he had written to London:
“I do most sincerely hope that Captain James Anderson, of the Cunard steamer China, will be appointed to the command of the Great Eastern during the laying of the Atlantic telegraph cable.... With Captain Anderson in command and Messrs. Canning and Clifford superintending the laying of the cable, I should feel the greatest confidence that all would go right.”
The China was at this time on her way to New York. She sailed again on her return voyage, March 8th, and Mr. Field was on board as a passenger. The following letter from Captain Anderson is evidently the sequel of their conversations on the voyage:
“34 Richmond Terrace, Beech Road,
“Liverpool, March 19, 1865.
“My dear Mr. Field,—I purpose going up to London sometime to-morrow. I did not get the China moored until four P.M., so that I have still the necessary custom entries to make.
“I shall meet you at breakfast Tuesday morning as early as you like, and shall look for a note upon my arrival at your hotel. I shall telegraph when I start.
“Mr. David MacIver appears to have laid his plans for the possibility of my being required to remain behind at this time, but will require an answer at latest on Wednesday morning. It will therefore be necessary that I should be in communication as early as possible on Tuesday morning with some one who could proceed to the ship with me and talk the matter over.