In a letter to England on the 9th, he writes that he had received a letter from Washington in which the hope was expressed that he would give some attention to the transpacific cable before he left America. He answered the question as to the expense of manufacturing a cable briefly: "A submarine cable, like a watch, can be manufactured at a great variation in price." The two letters that follow were sent to Washington, the first on August 19, 1880: "Referring to my letters to you dated May 26th and June 10th, in relation to a telegraphic cable across the Pacific Ocean, I would suggest: "1. That the United States government obtain from some eminent electrician specifications for the best description of cable suitable for the great depths and the great lengths required to connect the western with the eastern coasts of the Pacific. "2. That the government advertise for tenders to manufacture and lay such description of cable, one-fourth the amount to be paid when the cables are all manufactured, one-fourth when they are on board the steamers and the steamers ready to sail, one-fourth when the cables have been successfully laid, and the remaining fourth when they have been worked successfully and without interruption for thirty days. "By adopting this course I think you would obtain a good cable at the lowest price. "The government could pay for such a cable by selling its four per cent, bonds, having a long time to run, at a considerable premium; and the revenue from such a cable would, in my opinion, steadily increase from year to year, and at no distant day be a source of revenue to the country." * * * * * "I thank you for your letter of yesterday, and for the interest you are taking in the matter of the proposed Pacific cable. "Have you ever written to the American ministers in Japan and China on the subject? If the United States government desired it, and took the proper steps, I think that England, Russia, France, Japan, and China would each do something towards encouraging the enterprise." The latest mention I find of this project is on the 30th of April, 1884, and then it is suggested as only possible as far as the Sandwich Islands, and that it would cost £650,000. There had been no enthusiasm shown, and as no company had been formed the grant given on March 10, 1879, had become valueless; but as long as his brothers dined with him the thought of a Pacific cable was recalled by the favorite toast of Mr. David Dudley Field, who would say, before the family left the table, "And now, Cyrus, we must not forget to drink to the world encircling." The recent revival of the subject has evidently been rather political than commercial. It was during the summer of 1880 that this was written: