Lord Kelvin Letter to the Government

October 21, 1854

The Rt Hon The Viscount Palmerston

Dear Sir,

As you well know, the construction and completion of the transatlantic telegraph has been delayed due to miscalculations. I have been studying this and believe that my calculations will make this venture triumphant. I do humbly realize that a large amount of Britain's monies have been spent on this venture; however, through more evaluations and enhancements, I know that it has the potential to be successful. The installment of the transatlantic telegraph would allow Britain to send information and communicate over vast distances. This would place Great Britain at higher levels globally; it would allow businesses and the government to process data immediately, prospectively leading to large international profits. Faraday has demonstrated how the construction of a cable would limit the rate at which messages could be sent; I believe that, with reevaluation, the transatlantic telegraph would, in actuality, reach a faster data rate at its full potential. The speed of a signal, through a given core, is inversely proportional to the square of the length of the core; therefore, as the size of the core increases, the speed of the signal will also increase. I feel confident that this data is legitimate, but I know that there is still ample space for advancement. This advancement could only be possible through your financial assistance and endowments. I ask you to look at the success I have in the field of science and request that you allow this great venture to continue.

Respectfully yours,

William Thomson