“I have claimed for America the origination of the modern telegraph system of the world. Impartial history, I think, will support the claim. Do not misunderstand me as disparaging or disregarding the labors and ingenious modifications of others in various countries employed in the same field of invention. Gladly, did time permit, would I descant upon their great and varied merits. Yet in tracing the birth and pedigree of the modern telegraph, ‘American’ is not the highest term of the series that connects the past with the present; there is at least one higher term, the highest of all, which cannot and must not be ignored. If not a sparrow falls to the ground without a definite purpose in the plans of infinite wisdom, can the creation of an instrumentality so vitally affecting the interests of the whole human race have an origin less humble than the Father of every good and perfect gift? I am sure I have the sympathy of such an assembly as is here gathered if, in all humility and in the sincerity of a grateful heart, I use the words of inspiration in ascribing honor and praise to Him to whom first of all and most of all it is pre-eminently due. ‘Not unto us, not unto us, but to God be all the glory.’
“Not what hath man, but ‘what hath God wrought.’ ”
“Department of State,
“Washington, January 7, 1869.
“Sir,—Pursuant to the resolution of Congress of March 2, 1867, the President has caused to be prepared for presentation to you, in the name of the people of the United States, a gold medal, with suitable devices and inscriptions, in acknowledgment of your eminent services in the establishment of telegraphic communication by means of the Atlantic cable between the Old World and the New. This testimonial, together with an engrossed copy of the resolution referred to, is herewith transmitted to you by direction of the President.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
“William H. Seward.”
Two years had passed since this resolution was adopted and the medal ordered, and the reason for its not having been given before this time was a strange one. In 1868 he had received word that the medal would be presented to him on his going to Washington, but upon his arrival there he was asked not to name the subject. The medal had been shown at a meeting of the Cabinet and had disappeared. Another had been ordered, and would be sent to him as soon as possible. The mystery was not solved until 1874, when in London he received a cable message from Washington.
“The missing original Congressional gold medal, a duplicate of which was made and presented to you, has been found. Its value is about $600. Secretary Treasury wishes informally to know whether you wish to possess it. If so, it will be given to you on receipt of value.”
Soon after his return home he was in Washington, and while there was told this story: One day a clerk in the Treasury Department asked the Secretary why Mr. Field had never received the medal ordered for him. When desired to explain his question, he answered that he had been directed to put the medal away carefully after the meeting of the Cabinet, and that he had not heard the subject mentioned since that day; neither had he known that the medal was sought for. And now when Mr. Field called for the “original medal” he was told that it had been given to the Mint in Philadelphia. A telegram was sent to the director, and only just in time, for already a hole had been drilled in it.
Mr. Varley wrote this letter on his visit to New York, but it was over a year before the suggestions that he made were acted upon.