having the exclusive connection with Ireland, promises to be of great value. There seems to be much energy in the conduct of the affairs of the line, and in the extension of the wires the most eligible sites are occupied; and already the range of lines are nearly half in extent to those owned by the "Old Company." Every wire is laid in the most enduring form for permanent use. The wires of this line cross the Irish Channel at Port Patrick and Donaghadee, and works well. The system of Telegraph used is the Henley Patent of 1848, which may be described thus: Between the poles of an electro-magnet, a magnetic needle is placed, movable on an axle; to this axle a pointer is affixed; a stop is placed, so that the magnetic needle has motion only on one side from its normal point of rest; when a current of electricity in one direction is sent round the electro-magnet, the magnetic needle is attracted thereby, and moves from its normal stop to another, placed to limit its motion. Instead of the needle returning to its stop when the current ceases, the inductive influence of the magnetic needle on the electro-magnet causes the magnetic needle to remain in that new position until a current of electricity is sent in the contrary direction; and then the magnetic needle is moved from that position to its original position of rest. It thus remains at that stop till another current in the original direction is transmitted. By having two line-wires, and two magnetic needles and electro-magnets, and two pointers, the combination of the motions of the pointers represents the letters of the alphabet. The electricity produced is from the electro-magnetic machine, as was used by Dr. Steinheil in Germany, in 1837. IV. THE BRITISH TELEGRAPH COMPANY. The lines of this Company are very limited in extent. There are offices of the Company in London, Liverpool, and Manchester. The "Old Company" and this, at an early day after the origin of the latter, got at law, and the power of the former nearly overwhelmed the latter, occasioning a heavy expense, amounting to many thousands of pounds sterling. The system of Telegraph used is Highton's Patent, being similar to the original Morse invention of 1832, based upon chemical action. This patent was granted 1844, the same year that Morse constructed and put in operation the forty miles between Washington and Baltimore, and practically working the first recording telegraph of the world. There are divers other plans of telegraphs spoken of, and efforts are being made to put up lines under different systems. The fact is, as any practical telegrapher of America can see, the whole of those of Europe are totally worthless compared with that of Morse; and why those lines adhere to their slow and inefficient modes, when they can use a better one without price, seems remarkably strange. National pride, however, may be the cause of this reluctance to adopting anything not legitimately of British origin; this pride may do in a world of fancy, but, in matters of pecuniary consideration, reason and common sense should prevail. Art. VII.-THE AMERICAN TELEGRAPH CONFEDERATION. ANNUAL CONVENTION. PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION-REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-NEW FOUNDLAND LINE-PACIFIC OCEAN CONNECTION-ATLANTIC OCEAN OF IMPORTANT MEASURES-CONVENTION IN accordance with the resolution of the Washington Convention of 1853, convening an assemblage of the Representatives of the respective Companies of America using the Morse American Telegraph System, the Delegates of the respective Companies assembled this day in 'the Aldermen's Chamber, in the City of Washington, D. C., when were present a representation from most of the principal lines in the United States. On motion of Mr. Isaac M. Veitch, President of the St. Louis and Missouri River Telegraph Company, Mr. B. B. French, Representative of the Washington and New-Orleans Telegraph Company, was unanimously elected President of the Convention. Maj. French took the President's chair, and thanked the Convention for the flattering manifestation of confidence of the members in re-electing him to preside over the deliberations of the Confederation. On motion of Mr. Charles F. Wood, Superintendent of the New-York and Boston Union Telegraph Company, Mr. Tal. P. Shaffner, Representative of the St. Louis and New-Orleans Telegraph Company, was elected Secretary of the Convention. On motion of Mr. Shaffner, Professor Samuel F. B. Morse was unanimously invited to take a seat in the Convention, and participate in its deliberations. Prof. Morse accepted the invitation, and took a seat within the bar of the Convention. The Secretary then read the Annual Report to the Convention, which was as follows, viz. : REPORT OF THE SECRETARY TO THE AMERICAN TELEGRAPH CONFEDERATION, IN CONVENTION ASSEMBLED. GENTLEMEN:-The last Convention of the Representatives of the respective Telegraph Lines of America,-using the Morse system of Electro-Magnetic Telegraphs,-adopted divers measures, which were calculated eminently to advance the weal of the common system. Unfortunately, however, much that was done at that Convention never has been made effective. Various reasons can be assigned for this apparent supineness upon the part of Companies. Early after the adjournment of the Convention a limited number' of copies of the proceedings were printed, not sufficient to supply each of the Companies. The Address of the Committee-which was acting in the recess, as authorized by the delegates assembled-was published in connection with the most important resolutions adopted by the Convention. The Committee forwarded this address to many of the Companies; but, not knowing the names of many of the Presidents or Companies, not more than one-half of the lines of the United States received copies, and none of the lines in the Canadas, Nova Scotia, and New-Brunswick, have seen them. It was not possible for Companies to adopt rules they knew not existed. Another difficulty presented itself in the adoption of the plans thus agreed upon. Many of the lines supposed that they were to commence operation immediately after the Convention adjourned, and therefore the resolutions were adopted, and remain so to the present time. Others, again, expected to receive notice, from the Executive Committee, of the time the resolutions were to take effect. That notice was never given, and thus, by these misunderstandings, there has been more or less confusion in the general adoption or non-adoption of the measures recommended. The Executive Committee, finding the services of a Secretary necessary to aid in effecting a uniform system in the fulfilment of the plans of the Convention, the undersigned was elected to fill that office early in the summer of 1853, who, accepting, resigned the office of President of the St. Louis and New-Orleans Telegraph Company, and removed to Washington early in October. The Secretary proceeded to make all the necessary arrangements for carrying out the resolutions of the Convention, particularly those relative to a general or uniform tariff and depôts of supplies. Relative to the former, the issue of the COMPOUND TARIFF SCALE seems to answer the ends more effectually than any other mode recommended. Concerning the supply of materials to the lines, the official circular of the Secretary, issued in December last, will more particularly exhibit the excellent plans adopted, and the successful arrangements made, to procure the diversified articles of consumption, at large gains. These contracts pertain to the furnishing of Nitric and Sulphuric Acids, Message-blanks, envelopes, mercury, tumblers, porous cups, platina, ink, pencils, pens, clocks, zincs, registers, magnets, keys, different parts of telegraph machinery, copper and iron wire, and all the different articles required in the management and conduct of telegraph lines. The Secretary is rejoiced to report that nearly every line in America promises to unite in the arrangement. The details of the various contracts of supplies, the prices, conditions, and in fact everything pertaining thereto, are ready, and subject to your examination and direction. Whatever modification or change may be desired upon the part of the Convention for the Secretary to pursue in future, it is hoped instructions will be given definite and full, in order to avoid any irregularity in the management of the affairs by the Secretary. It is proper, however, to remark, that the Secretary has endeavored to consult fully the Executive Board as to such matters as have been intrusted to his charge. The saving to the lines by the plans now adopted will be very large, and go far to aid in paying dividends. The estimated cost of materials per annum, heretofore, by the enterprise, exceeds $120,000. These can be purchased by the Confederation for $65,000, making a saving of at least $55,000, and also freeing the Company managers from many of the difficulties heretofore experienced in finding the proper articles of use. The Secretary would report that he has been giving the subject of Galvanic Batteries much reflection, and hopes to recom mend a series that will cost much less than the kind now generally adopted. Many have been presented to him, some of which were worthy of trial, and among them is one gotten up by Mr. Charles T. Chester, of New-York, though it is deemed best not to make any change from the present plan until a battery, certainly successful, is discovered. Dr. J. Lawrence Smith, now lecturing before the Smithsonian Institute, holding one of the most eminent positions in the world as a chemist, also proposes to devise à galvanic series that will cost much less than the present Grove battery, and have fully the powers of intensity and quantity required to create a proper electric force. Dr. Smith also proposes to aid in discovering the qualities of Electro-Magnets, needed for the use of long or short circuits. Cheerfully accepting the proposals of the learned Doctor, the Secretary entertains great confidence in the prospects of success, knowing the pre-eminent ability of the gentleman to master the various departments of physical science in the premises. The Secretary would also report that he has received many communications from merchants and others relative to the rules of the lines west of Halifax, Nova Scotia, forbidding the transmission of dispatches until after the sending of other and preferred messages handed in later. Being requested by several Companies, which suffer by the policy, the undersigned endea vored to ascertain the correctness of the statement, and, if possible, urge the abolishment of a policy so seriously injurious to the different lines of America, which, too, is advantageous to none, not even those lines sanctioning or operating under the rule. It appears that with a view to prevent private speculation, the Nova Scotia Company has agreed to transmit the news for the associated press of New-York before any other message handed in to the office after the landing of a steamer. If, therefore, there are one hundred private dispatches handed to the office on the arrival of a steamer at the port of Halifax, those messages cannot be sent until after the news for the associated press of New-York is prepared, handed in to the office, and sent. This policy the Company adopted to prevent private speculation. To the different lines of the country it has been a severe rule, greatly injuring their business, and lessening confidence in the impartiality of the telegraph. When the public knows that a line anywhere exercises the power of preference, they will believe the principle is generally adopted. That the intentions of the Nova Scotia line were good, we do not doubt; but that they fail in accomplishing the very objects intended, we have also not a doubt. That Company has the right to do as it deems best, however fatal to other lines. It is to be hoped that, by proper representation to the above company, the universal rule adopted by every other line in America-sending all messages in the order they are receivedwill be adopted by that line; and that the earliest communication presented will be the subject of competition with the public. No arrangement can be adopted to prevent speculation, and hope to accomplish that end for the public good is impossible of realization. It will exist, in one form or in another; and in making any discrimination, it only decides who shall have the best opportunity. In speaking thus of this subject, it must not be in |