20, George Street
Hanover Square
August 2, 1869.
I have the honor, in response to your verbal request that I state to you the general object and purpose of our Submarine telegraph Enterprise in the Chinese Seas, to say that the first & primary object is to lay a cable along the coast of China from Shanghae to Hongkong & thence to Canton to connect the "Treaty Ports", & there perhaps to rest the enterprise temporarily.
When results should justify, to extend southward so as to connect, at or about Singapore, the projected line with lines from India. Then, if still further warranted, to extend it to the north to Tien Tsin, & also from Shanghae, to connect with the open Ports of Japan, & finally to complete the telegraphic circuit of the globe.
Arthur W. Hay R. P.