Gwin letter transcription
Placerville Nov. 30th, 1858
Hon W M Gwin
Washington
I wish to call your attention to an enterprise which you no doubt feel a deep interest in seeing successfully carried out.
To be as brief as possible I will state that I have organized a company to construct a line of magnetic telegraph from Placerville to Salt Lake and St. Joseph, Mo. We have completed and in works and by orders the line to Genoa Carson Valley having successfully overcome all obstacles in crossing the Sierra Mountains via Johnsons Pass a distance of eighty-five miles. That portion of Utah is now in communication with all parts of California. We are now continuing the line onto Salt Lake Basin by the new road east of the Goose Creek Mountains leaving the Humboldters at or near the sink. There are more facilities for building the line the country is far superior to the old work – it also shortens the distance nearly two hundred miles. The line is being constructed on poles which is the most reliable plan, an underground line would be an experiment.
Our company has organized under the general incorporation laws of this State – for starts with only a capital of $15,000. Building this line from point to point and increasing the amount as the work progresses to prevent the accumulation of surplus stocks in the hands of outside parties for purposes of speculation.
The government is expending large sums to establish overland mail routes with a view to open up and settle the vast territory lying between California and the Mississippi River. I’m looking to Congress for assistance in constructing the overland telegraph. We propose to establish a chain of trading posts along the line at convenient distances not less than twenty or more than fifty miles distant from each point having a complete appointment of such articles as will be most necessary in supplying the emigrant.
Also, having telegraph stations at convenient points throughout the whole route - by which means instant communication could be had with other points in case of Indian attack, et cetera for settlements will be permanent once so that essentially what is now temporary. The mail contractors, if I am not mistaken, have to give up 5 new parties all the privileges on [not legible] given terms. My company in the way of grants, etc., were on the expiration of their contract. We should regain sufficient funds to build stations at different points and raise sufficient crops to stock the several stations through the winter. The cost per mile from Genoa to Salt Lake will be $260, which sum we’ll judiciously expend to construct a good reliable line. Guards will be stationed throughout the route to protect the line and make repairs, etc.
I am confident that if Congress will enable assistance commensurate with the benefits, the line can be completed through to St. Jo by August next. In return we’ll extend to the government such privileges as may appear satisfactory to you. We do not ask any exclusive privileges except protection for a given time on which you can wax our judgement. Our company is known as “The Placerville and Humboldt Overland Telegraph Co”. We shall commence from St. Jo as early as possible. The coming spring [not legible]for my ability. P & H will construct this line with proper assistance. I can refer you to a sufficient number of your friends to amply satisfy you upon all points . The company do not wish to go to the expense of sending an agent to Washington trusting that what we have done already as ample assurances of [not legible] Company’s [not legible] whole people are fully [not legible] on the immense advantages to be gained from an overland telegraph. In conclusion I inscribe myself
Yours very respectfully
F A Bee
President of P & H Telegraph Co.