report is before me, they are made to tell much of the character and mysteries of that ocean covered region. He thinks the appearance of the minerals indicate that they have been quietly deposited from gentle currents, and not subsequently disturbed.
"Lieutenant Maury affirmed now 'that the development of this survey established the practicability of laying wires successfully on the bed of the sea.'
"I will leave it to others, sir, to lift the veil of the future, and to picture to the mind of the curious and speculative the influence to be exerted by such an event upon commerce and trade, upon peace and war, and the relationship of nations.
"These deep sea soundings, this study of the wind and currents and temperature of the ocean, these gradual approaches to greater familiarity with the wonders of the great deep, are pregnant with incalculable usefulness to those who conduct mighty navies, as well as to all who go down to the sea in ships."
Again, in a letter to Hon. William A. Graham (Secretary of the Navy), as early as November 8th, 1850, Maury said:—
"You may therefore consider it a settled principle in submarine telegraphy, that the true character of a cable for the deep sea is not that of an iron rope as large as a man's arm, but of a single copper wire, or fascicle of wires, coated with gutta-percha, pliant and supple, and not larger than a lady's finger."
To Cyrus W. Field he wrote on the same subject, "that the iron wrappings for deep sea lines of telegraph, instead of being advantageous in any aspect, are not only a hindrance, but an encumbrance also and a waste. The weight of the cord may be adjusted to sinking by the size of the conducting wire within as well as by the character of the
