No. 255.
General Schenck to Mr. Fish.
Legation of
the United States,
London, November 3, 1874.
(Received November 19.)
No. 633.]
Sir: Referring to ray No. 629, and my
correspondence with Lord Derby in relation to the request in behalf of
Admiral Davis and the astronomers of the United States engaged in observing
the transit of Venus for a free use of telegraph-wires in certain of the
British colonies, I have now to transmit to you a copy of another note on
the subject from his lordship, received yesterday.
In this note I am informed that the secretary of state for the colonies,
(Lord Caernarvon,) considering that it is too late to communicate by
writing, has addressed a telegram to the governments of Victoria and South
Australia, expressing the hope of Her Majesty’s government that, on the
application of the gentlemen employed in the work under the authority of our
Navy Department, the facilities requested will be granted them by the
colonial authorities.
I am, &c.,
[Page 582]
[Inclosure in No. 633.]
Lord Derby to
General Schenck.
Foreign
Office, October 31,
1874.
Sir: With reference to my note of the 23d
instant, I have now the honor to state to you that Her Majesty’s
secretary of state for the colonies, has informed me that, in accordance
with the wish expressed in your note of the 21st instant, his lordship
has addressed a telegram, it being now too late to write to the
colonies, to the governments of Victoria and South Australia to the
effect that the United States Government has requested to be allowed the
free use of the telegraph between Melbourne, Adelaide, and Port Darwin
for the American astronomers engaged in observing the transit of Venus,
and expressing the hope of Her Majesty’s government that facilities will
be granted to those gentlemen on their applying to the colonial
governments.
I have the honor to be, with the highest consideration, sir, your most
obedient, humble servant,
General R. C. Schenck, &c.
