“Samuel F. B. Morse,
“James McKaye,
“John Munroe,
“Emory McClintock,
“Chas. S. P. Bowles,
“And many others.”
“Paris, March 1, 1867.
“My dear Sir,—Singular as it may seem, I was in the midst of your speech before the Chamber of Commerce reception to you in New York, perusing it with deep interest, when my valet handed me your letter of the 27th ult.
“I regret exceedingly that I shall not have the great pleasure I had anticipated with other friends here, who were preparing to receive you in Paris with the welcome you so richly deserve. You invite me to London. I have the matter under consideration. March winds and that boisterous Channel have some weight in my decision, but I so long to take you by the hand, and to get posted up on telegraph matters at home, that I feel disposed to make the attempt....
“With unabated respect and esteem,
“Your friend, as ever,
“Samuel F. B. Morse.
“Cyrus W. Field, Esq., Palace Hotel, London.”
The next letter is from the Speaker of the House of Commons:
“House of Commons, March 12, 1867.
“Dear Sir,—The last few hours before your departure will be too much occupied for me to intrude upon them. I should have been glad to have thanked you (I might have ventured to have done so in the name of the House of Commons) for the services you have rendered to this country, as well as to your own.