Mr. Burlingame to Prince Kung
Sir: It is well known by people in western countries, that when the electrical current is produced by the friction in an electric machine, or by the action of sulphuric acid on a battery of copper and zinc plates, that if a person take hold of a wire attached to this battery, and others, it may be thousands or more, join their hands together in connection with his, that a shock is simultaneously transmitted through the whole company. This is called a “shock to a thousand.” Subsequent to this discovery, an American named Morse applied this prinple of the electric fluid, so that by means of iron wires connected with an electric machine he was able to transmit messages to distant places, which has proved of vast benefit to the world at large.
Several rich men in the United States have recently formed themselves into a company, and subscribed money to lay down a telegraph wire, and I have recently learned from this company the following statement of their designs: “Telegraphic lines are now in operation in all western countries for the purpose of transmitting messages; and it is reckoned that from the Atlantic ocean to the Pacific, there are within the United States already set up about 56,000 miles of lines. In Great Britain and its colonies there are more than 40,000 miles in operation; in France, 28,000; in Prussia, 36,000; and in Russia, more than 13,000; while a line has lately been extended from St. Petersburg across to near Kiakhta, whence it is to be carried not far from the frontier of Chinese territory all the way to the mouth of the river Amoor. In India, too, lines have been set up more than 6,000 miles in length. This company proposes to lay their line down in connection with a line which the English companies are to carry from India to Singapore, and thence on to Annam and Hong Kong, laying the wire in the sea; at this last place the American company will lay their line along the coast as far as Shanghai, stopping at each intermediate port, and from thence across the sea to Japan, ultimately to connect with the Russian line at the mouth of the Amoor river, and cross the ocean to the western shores of the United States. An entire circuit of the globe will then be made, and all the nations of the earth will be in communication with each other by this means.
“The operation of the telegraph in transmitting messages is so speedy that persons at places separated thousands of miles from each other can instantaneously, almost, send news and receive replies, quicker far than the answer of an echo. People of every rank can by this means transmit information on what most concerns them in the affairs of life, to their distant friends in a moment of time, greatly to the advantage of all parties.
“It must be plain to all, that a wire laid along in the sea from one port to another must [Page 485] necessarily be brought on shore to work at each one, and offices must be built for the telegraphic machinery to be put up. It is therefore requested of your excellency that you will inform the Chinese authorities of these plans, that they may not interpose any obstacles to carrying them out.”
I need only observe in relation to this proposed telegraphic line, (for the telegraph itself has proved to be of the highest benefit to all,) that I take the earliest opportunity to inform the Chinese government of it; and hope that whenever the agents of the company reach this country, their laudable enterprise may be promoted, and that China will not interpose herself to prevent the completion of a circuit of telegraphic lines by which all nations will be connected in amicable and cordial relations. I may also add that private and secret despatches from government can by this means be transmitted to all the maritime provinces without any mistake, to their respective officers.
I have the honor to be, sir, your highness’s obedient servant,
His Imperial Highness Prince Kung, &c., &c., &c.