60 



Mr. R. S. Rantoul alluded to the completion of the Atlantic Tele- 

 graph, and, after a few appropriate -observations, offered the following 

 preamble and resolutions : 



The past week has been marked by a scientific event, in the estab- 

 lishment of Telegraphic Communication across the bed of the Atlantic 

 Ocean, of such grand import, so full of hope and encouragement, 

 so great a step in the onward and upward march of human destiny, 

 laying civilization under new obligations to science, that it cannot be 

 suffered by the Institute to pass without a grateful recognition. Be it 

 therefore 



Resolved, That we recall with pride, to-day, that Franklin, who 

 linked his name with the first practical researches into the nature of 

 the electric fluid, demonstrating its magnetic qualities and its identity 

 with lightning, was a native of Massachusetts ; that Morse, the father 

 of the present world-embracing system of communicating intelligence 

 by the aid of that force, was a native of Massachusetts ; and it was 

 well that Field, another son of Massachusetts, should be so largely in- 

 strumental in the success of that great enterprise which has at last 

 interpreted, as with the finger of the lightnings, the mystery of Solo- 

 mon : " For, which is most to be wondered at, the fire had more force 

 in the water it burneth even in the midst of water for Thou hast 

 made a way in the sea, and a safe path in the waves." 



Resolved, That the Essex Institute felicitates all those whose faith 

 in Science, long and sorely tried but never wavering, has been reward- 

 ed by this auspicious and seemingly satisfactory result. 



The Chairman, observing that several distinguished visitors, of 

 national reputation, were present, expressed the hope that they would 

 favor the meeting with some remarks on a subject of such commanding 

 importance, having such a direct bearing upon international interests, 

 and called upon Chief Justice Chase to respond. 



The Chief Justice, after some humorous allusions to those who ac- 

 companied him, mentioned that he was retained as counsel in one of 

 the earliest Patent cases growing out of the invention of the Electric 

 Telegraph. At that time he studied the subject very minutely, and he 

 proceeded to give a brief and very interesting outline of the history of 

 this science and its application as it occurred to his recollection. He 

 closed with the remark that Divine Providence calls upon some men to 

 prepare the way for progress in civilization, and that all great discov- 

 eries follow the successive aggregation of several minds, each contrib- 

 uting an essential link in the great chain of progress. 



Maj. Gen. Butler was next introduced, and after some complimen- 

 tary allusions to the Chief Justice, who, he said, had so exhausted the 

 subject of the Telegraph that nothing remained for him to say, General 

 Butler remarked that the wants of the future progress of civilization 

 were worthy of a moment's attention. The first was a speedier mode 

 of transit, alluding to the attempts lately made for the navigation of 

 the air, and it seems probable that where so many minds are employed 

 on this problem, some good results should be obtained, and that many 



