GEORGE PEABODY TO CYRUS W. FIELD, In testimony and commemoration of an act of very high Commercial integrity and honor. New York, 10th November, 1866. CHAPTER XIII THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD (1867-1870) The Governor of the State of Wisconsin, in his annual message to the Legislature in January, 1867, suggested that the State make to Mr. Field "a suitable acknowledgment of their appreciation of the priceless value of the success he had achieved." The recommendation was acted upon. Resolutions were adopted by both branches of the Legislature and approved by the Governor on March 29th, and a gold medal was also ordered to be sent, "properly inscribed." On the 6th of February Mr. Field sailed for England for the purpose of making "arrangements between the Anglo-American Telegraph Company and the New York, Newfoundland, and London Telegraph Company." The land lines across Newfoundland were often broken; complaints were made; the public was naturally inclined to overrate trivial accidents, and it was necessary to give an explanation. "22 OLD BROAD STREET, _January 24th_. "TO THE EDITOR OF THE _Daily News_: "_Sir_,--A statement having appeared in the paper of this day to the effect that the communication with New York was interrupted, I have to inform you that in consequence of a heavy fall of snow the land line in Cape Breton appears to have broken down. The cables of this company are, as they ever have been, in perfect order. "I am, etc., "JOHN C. DEANE, Secretary." Before Mr. Field sailed for home this was published in the London papers: "It appears that a contract was signed yesterday by Mr. Cyrus W. Field, acting in behalf of the New York, Newfoundland, and London Telegraph Company, with the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company for a submarine cable between Placentia, Newfoundland, and Sydney, Nova Scotia. The line will be laid in the early part of the summer. Mr. Field, having effected this very satisfactory arrangement in the interests of Atlantic telegraphy, will leave for New York in the _Great Eastern_ on the 20th of March." Soon after his arrival in London the letters that immediately follow had been received: "PARIS, _February 28, 1867_. "CYRUS W. FIELD, Esq.: "_Dear Sir_,--The undersigned American citizens, at present in Europe, hearing of your arrival in England, and desiring to express their warm appreciation of your untiring labors and your final success in the laying of the Atlantic telegraph, desire to give you a public reception in this city at an early day, or at your own convenience. "Hoping soon to hear from you, we remain, sir,