Atlantic Cable

was projected by Cyrus W. Field in 1854. In that year he obtained a charter from the Legislature of Newfoundland for a fifty years’ exclusive right to the laying of a cable from Newfoundland to Great Britain and from the Continent of America to Newfoundland. The New York, Newfoundland and London Telegraph Company ‘was occupied two years in completing the connection between America, at Cape Breton, and Newfoundland. In 1856 Field organized the Atlantic Telegraph Company. The first two attempts at connecting the two continents, in 1857 and the first time in 1858, failed. The third attempt, late in 1858, was succe ful but lasted only a few months. Then the Civil War suspended operations. In 1865 the ‘‘ Great Eastern ”’ laid 1,200 miles, when the cable snapped. In 1866 two thqusand miles were safely covered and the Atlantic Cable was establiahed. Attorney-General. Colonies and States had their Attorneys- General before 1789. The Judiciary Act of that year, organizing the Federal judiciary under the new Constitution, provided for an Attorney- General of the United States, to act as government counsel, with a salary of $1,500. At first he had little to do, and could practice for himself; but he was always a member of the Cabinet. In 1858 he was provided with an a istant. In 1861 he was given charge of U.S. district attorneys and marshals. In 1870 the office was organized as the Department of Justice. (For a list of the Attorneys-General ace Cabinets, Vol. II., p. 436.)