DEPUTATION TO LORD PALMERSTON. 39 ance of the Government in carrying out a complete survey and line of soundings along the line. He might mention to his Lordship that the line had been already in a great measure surveyed by Colonel Shaffner, who had reported most favourably as to the absence of any physical difficulties in carrying out the scheme; but that survey, as the act of a private individual, could not, of course, have the same weight, nor be so thorough and complete as was desirable before commencing an undertaking of such import- ance and magnitude. It was of the gravest importance for this country, both scientifically and politically, that the question of the practicability of so very desirable a route should be placed beyond a doubt, and that, of course, could only be done by a complete Government survey of the line, which they trusted his Lordship would assist them in obtaining. Believing that the scheme when carried out would be commercially profitable, it was not the inten- tion of those promoting it to ask for subsidy, or guarantee, or money aid of any kind, but simply for such assistance in the way of survey as the Government might fairly and legitimately grant, and which would only be thoroughly satisfactory as coming from the Government. Colonel Shaffner then pointed out to his Lordship the maps and charts of the proposed route, and explained the various physical and geographical features of the line. He said the principal advantage that this route, if carried out, would possess over all others, would be the rapidity of transmission of messages. Sup- posing that the direct Atlantic Cable, submerged some two years since, had remained perfect, it would still not have been possible to telegraph at a greater speed than, perhaps, two or three words a minute, while he could show that the minimum speed of trans- mission by the proposed northern route, arising from their having only to work through such short lengths of submarine cable, would be at least 20 words a minute. Thus practically and commercially speaking one cable submerged by this route would represent in working efficiency many lines between Ireland and Newfoundland. Colonel Shaffner then proceeded to point out the positions along the route where, in his opinion, the cable should be laid and landed. He also explained away the difficulties in regard to the ice which had so long been thought insurmountable obstacles to the adoption of this route. Captain Allen Young, who accompanied Captain M'Clintock’s celebrated expedition in the Fox, said he entirely concurred in what had been stated by Colonel Shaffner as to the practicability of the proposed route. Sir Edward Belcher, R.N., said that, independently of the immediate object sought to be accomplished, it would be of great

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