“With respect to the gentlemen mentioned in the memorial as prepared to join me in the enterprise, I may explain that they are among the very first merchants and capitalists of the United States.... As I am leaving for the United States this evening, my address will be Gramercy Park, New York. I would express my sincere thanks for the great kindness shown to myself by your Imperial Highness, and for the interest you have taken in the subject I have so much at heart.
“I beg to subscribe myself,
“With great respect,
“Your most obedient servant,
“Cyrus W. Field.
“ ‘To His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Russia:
“ ‘The memorial of Cyrus West Field, a citizen of the United States of America, respect fully thereto,
“ ‘That having taken an active part in the establishment of electric telegraph communication across the Atlantic Ocean between America and Europe, and having been also interested in the laying of the existing submarine telegraph lines between Europe and the East, he is now desirous of submitting to your Majesty a project for completing the electric telegraph circle round the globe by uniting by submarine cables the western coast of America with the eastern shores of your Majesty’s dominions, and with China or Japan, or both, as may be found most expedient.
“ ‘Having regard to the complete success, both scientific and practical, of the submarine telegraph cables now working, which are in the aggregate about 40,000 miles in length, your memorialist deems it wholly unnecessary to enlarge on the perfection attained in the manufacture of telegraph cables, or the facility and certainty with which they are laid in all parts of the world.
“ ‘Experience has proved that submarine telegraph cables can readily be recovered and repaired in case of accident, so that there is practically no limit to the length of line which may be employed or the depth of the water in which they may with perfect safety be submerged.
“ ‘Memorialist is aware of the strong desire existing in the United States of America for the establishment of a telegraph cable across the Pacific Ocean in order to the furtherance of commercial interests and to the strengthening of the friendly relations which have for so many years existed between the United States and your Imperial Majesty’s government.
“ ‘From communications which memorialist has had with the government of the United States and with many leading members of Congress, he is able to say with confidence that both the government and the legislature take a deep interest in the subject, and that, as memorialist believes, they will readily join with your Majesty in making such arrangements as may be found necessary to carry out the enterprise.
“ ‘Memorialist has made diligent inquiry from the persons best able to advise with respect to the practicability of uniting the two great continents by telegraphic cable, and he has received most satisfactory assurances on the subject.