92

Extracts from Letters from J. II' Brett. Eiq., to F. N. Gisborne, Esq.

“London, July 12tli, 1832.

“Deab Sin,

“The main object in my wishing to see you is to see whether, ns ournttention hns also been, and is now, directed to the Colonies and their unionwith this country, we cannot unite in the one object.

“A friend of your Mr. Howe has just called, and gnvo me your plan.

“Ever yours truly,

(Signed) “ Jno.W. Brett.”

“ London, May 26, 1853.

“ Ms deab Sin,

“ lly Colonel Hughes, tho Surveyor of the Panama route for theU. S. Government, who returns to-morrow to the States, I avail myself,through his kindness, of forwarding you a line; tho object of which moreparticularly is, to learn if you are prepared to co-operate iu opening up tele-graphic communication between Newfoundland and Ireland, and whether thoobject will meet fair support uudor your auspices in America. The routemyself and brother selected on the coast of Ireland, I believe to be tho best—the point on your side, I leave to you. The subject and the safe mode of doingit have had my earnest study and attention ; and there are many points quitenew in practice, to make an undertaking of this magnitude successful. These,I think, if you are ready, I can demonstrate to your satisfaction. That I amat work in preparation you may suppose, when I state that we have a pro-spectus prepared, with some of the first names in the country, whom I lookto for support. The house of Haring, Bates, & Co., I hope will join us in thelead; and Mr. Dargan, who, for its value in bringing American communica-tions through Ireland, will, I believe, give it his main support. Major Car-michael Smyth and others will aid it with energy. But all this will not dowithout a helping hand on the other side—you must show a desire and awillingness to come forward also. We have taken a first step to secure aRoyal Charter from the English Government. Now then, what think youyou can do with the local Govcrnmc.it, and what good parties can you bringto unite?

“ My impression is, to do it well and have an odd dollar or two, to meetthe chances of accident ; we must have a capital of .€750,000. Cnn you find£375,000 and good names in America, if I find £375,000 and good nameshere? If so,]the thing is easy, and in two or three years it may becompleted.

“ Yours truly,

(Signed) “ Jko. W. ISiiett.”

“ London, July 8th, 1853.

“ My deae Sib,

“ On my return from Puris, this morning, I found your satisfactoryletter of June 11th, delivered here the 4th current. Let me recommend toyou, without delay, to apply to the Colonial authorities, and at once secure,in our joint names, an exclusive privilege for establishing Submarine Telegraphbetween Newfoundland and Ireland. You should by all means endeavour toget 50 years and an annual sum, on condition of supplying tho ColonialGovernment with all Government communications free as from England. In