From: "Keith F. Lynch" <kfl at KeithLynch.net>
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] A Transcontinental Telegraph, Hurrah!
Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:15:24 -0400 (EDT)
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>

October 24, 1861, 150 years ago today, the first transcontinental
telegraph line was completed.

The first message sent over this predecessor of the Internet was:

TO ABRAHAM LINCOLN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:
IN THE TEMPORARY ABSENSE OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE I AM REQUESTED
TO SEND YOU THE FIRST MESSAGE WHICH WILL BE TRANSMITTED OVER THE WIRES
OF THE TELEGRAPH LINE WHICH CONNECTS THE PACIFIC WITH THE ATLANTIC
STATES.  THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA DESIRE TO CONGRATULATE YOU UPON THE
COMPLETION OF THE GREAT WORK.  THEY BELIEVE THAT IT WILL BE THE MEANS
OF STRENGTHENING THE ATTACHMENT WHICH BINDS BOTH THE EAST AND THE
WEST TO THE UNION, AND THEY DESIRE IN THIS--THE FIRST MESSAGE ACROSS
THE CONTINENT--TO EXPRESS THEIR LOYALTY TO THE UNION AND THEIR
DETERMINATION TO STAND BY ITS GOVERNMENT ON THIS ITS DAY OF TRIAL.
THEY REGARD THAT GOVERNMENT WITH AFFECTION AND WILL ADHERE TO IT UNDER
ALL FORTUNES.
STEPHEN J. FIELD
CHIEF JUSTICE OF CALIFORNIA