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Inclosure 1 in No. 1.
Colonial Office to Admiralty.
Sir,
Downing Street, January 16, 1880. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to request that you will inform the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that he has received a letter from Mr. G. F. Smith, dated the 6th instant,* on behalf of a Company which is in process of formation for establishing a telegraph line between England and North America, and proposing to place Bermuda in direct communication with this country, and also in direct communication with Halifax, either through England or through the United States, if Her Majesty's Government would sanction a subsidy of 10,000%. per annum for twenty years.
2. Mr. Smith states that he has sent a copy of his letter to the Admiralty, and I am to request to be informed whether the Lords Commissioners desire to recommend that the scheme should receive any assistance, and whether they wish the opinion of the Royal Defence Commission to be taken on the proposal.
3. It will be observed that Mr. Smith requests an early reply, for the reasons stated in his letter.
4. I am to add that a communication has been addressed to the War Office in the terms of this letter, inclosing a copy of Mr. Smith's letter.
Appendix No. 5.
BERMUDA TELEGRAPH.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
JOHN BRAMSTON.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Mr. Smith to Colonial Office.
Sir,
15, Golden Square, January 6, 1880.
I HOLD from the Portuguese Government a provisional Concession authorizing the use of two islands of the Azores for a submarine telegraph line between England and North America, and for the carrying out of which a Company is in process of formation, with Sir James Carmichael as Chairman, and Sir S. Canning and Mr. Sabine Engineers.
But within the last few days it has been intimated to me, in answer to my application, that the Portuguese Government would withdraw the prohibition of the line traversing foreign territory, and would allow it to pass by Bermuda to the United States.
The distance from Flores to the neighbourhood of Cape Cod (the direct line) is over 1,900 miles, from Flores to Bermuda is 1,740 miles, and from Bermuda to a convenient point in the United States is about 750 miles. In going round by Bermuda there is an increased distance of some 500 miles and an additional station.
Still it has always been my desire that the Flores station should be rendered of advantage to the interests of this country by connecting the naval station of Bermuda with England, but owing to the isolation of that island from all telegraphic communication, no data exists upon which to found an estimate of the saving which would result to the public service by its establishment; but the gain must be large in time of peace, while in time of war the advantage would be incalculable.
My proposal is to place Bermuda in direct communication with the Admiralty, and also in direct connection with Halifax, either through England or through the United States. The line would be an English line, with a terminus on the United States' coast, but, in the event of difficulties, in Bermuda.
There is no desire to make a hard bargain, nor to obtain more than a fair compensation for the increased expense of a circuitous route, and if Her Majesty's Government would sanction a subsidy of 10,000l. per annum for twenty years, to commence when the line to Bermuda is completed, and to be paid so long as communications were kept open by the lines being kept in working order, the parties proposing the direct line would adopt this route.
If Her Majesty's Government should see fit to accept the opportunity now offered, I must respect- fully request an early reply, as present arrangements would require to be altered; and under the belief that the Admiralty is materially interested in the question, I have sent to that Board a copy of this letter.
I have, &c. (Signed)
GEO. F. SMITH,
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
War Office to Colonial Office.
War Office, January 24, 1880.
Sir,
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, and inclosure, with regard to the proposal of a Company, which is in process of formation, to place Bermuda in direct telegraphic communication with this country, and also with Halifax, either through England or America.
In reply, I am to acquaint you, for the information of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, that Colonel
* Inclosure 2.
[1103]
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