2
The Origins of International Agreements and Global Media: The Post, the Telegraph, and Wireless Communication Before World War I
Introduction
“May the Atlantic Telegraph, under the blessing of Heaven, prove to be a bond of perpetual peace and friendship between the kindred nations, and an instrument of Divine Providence to diffuse religion, civilization, liberty and law throughout the world.
In this view, will not all nations of Christendom spontaneously unite in the declaration that it shall be forever neutral, and that its communication shall be held sacred in passing to their places of destination, even in the midst of hostilities” – President James Buchanan, Letter to Her Majesty Victoria, Queen of England, August 16, 1858. (McClenachan 1863: 24)
It arrived around noon on August 5, 1858. “To the Mayor of New York: Sir – The Atlantic Telegraph Cable has been successfully laid. From: Cyrus W. Field” (McClenachan 1863: 19). A simple enough message, sent from Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, announcing the completion of the first telegraph line running underwater between Europe and North America. It touched off quite a celebration. In New York, the festivities lasted weeks: a fireman’s torchlight procession down Broadway, building ornamentations and illuminations, at least one 100-gun salute, a municipal dinner to honor Cyrus Field and his fellow telegraph entrepreneurs, and a succession of fireworks displays sponsored by local notables, one of whom, in spite of all ...
