No. 31, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to inform you that the electric cable connecting
Vancouver Island with Washington Territory by way of San Juan, Lopez,
and Fidalgo Islands was successfully laid and communication opened on
the 24th April.

I need not enlarge upon the importance of the fact of bringing this
remote possession of Her Majesty within twelve days of England.

There was great difficulty in procuring a vessel suited for this
service, and I therefore did not hesitate to make application to the
Senior Naval Officer on the Station (Captain Price; Her Majesty's
 Ship "Scout") who readily permitted Her Majestys Gunboat "Forward" to
ship the cable which was most successfully laid without accident of
any kind.

I think Captain Price, and Lieutenant Fox, Commanding the "Forward"
entitled to great praise for the energy and ability they have
displayed on this (to both countries) most interesting occasion.

I enclose a copy of a letter from the Superintendent of the
California State Telegraph Company acknowledging the services
rendered by the "Forward."

I also transmit herewith some newspaper extracts and congratulatory
messages which you may desire to see.