The telegraph manual: a complete history and description of the semaphoric, electric and magnetic telegraphs of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, ancient and modern.

EMINENT TELEGRAPHERS. 8,13
any one less methodical and less indefatigable. The system is to him a
science, and he comprehends it in general and particular. There is nothing
beyond the grasp of his quick perception, and no minutice too small to
escape his penetration.
"Mr. Shaffner is a young man, notwithstanding his active life has devolved the performance of more labors upon him, and caused him to
encounter more vicissitudes, than ordinarily fall to the lot of twice his
number of years. Strictly temperate in his habits, undeviating in the
performance of the duties which the laws of God and man inculcate, blest
with all that can make home happy, he can be pointed to as an example
worthy of all imitation."
Early in 1854, Mr. Shaffner visited New-York city, to aid in the reorganization of the Newfoundland Telegraph Company, the secretaryship
of which had been offered to him with a salary of twelve thousand dollars per annum. The new company was organized, having as proprietors
some ten members, of whom Mr. Shaffner was one. Not satisfied with
the administration of the company's affairs, he withdrew from the company forever.
Mr. Shaffner had entered into the Newfoundland enterprise with a view
of carrying out his ocean telegraph, which he had commenced the year
before. About the same time the phenomenon of the retardation of the
electric force, transmitted through sub-aqueous conductors, was announced by Prof. Faraday. This new development in philosophy caused
Mr. Shaffner to abandon his idea of a telegraph from Newfoundland to
Ireland, and he commenced his labors for a telegraph to run from Labrador to Greenland, to Iceland, to the Faroe Isles, and, with branches, to
Norway and Scotland. To this end he visited Europe in 1854, and obtained a Royal Concession from His majesty the King of Denmark for
the exclusive right to run the telegraph over the route above mentioned
for the term of one hundred years. He also obtained concessions from
Norway and Sweden for the same purposes.
While Mr. Shaffner was at Copenhagen, Iis Excellency Baron Stemberg, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary for the government of Russia, notified him that His Majesty, the Emperor Nicholas,
desired him to visit St. Petersburg, and that all the necessary facilities
had been commanded. In accordance with the august behest, Mr. Shaffner visited St. Petersburg, and was received by the imperial government
with distinguished honor, and after the fulfilment of his mission to Russin, he received from the Emperor evidences of appreciation for the
services he had rendered.
Mr. Shaffner returned to America in the latter part of 1854, and continued his efforts for the perfection of his Atlantic Ocean Telegraph. In
the spring of 1855, he was again requested to visit St. Petersburg, by
order of Iis Majesty the Emperor Nicholas, for the purpose of aiding the
imperial government to construct a railway to the Crimea. His visit to
St. Petersburg in 1855 was crowned with success in some important negotiations, though the termination of the war, soon thereafter, interfered
with the consummation of the railway and telegraphic enterprises in
which Mr. Shaffner was engaged for the benefit of the imperial government.
During Mr. Shaffner's visits to Europe, in 1854-'57, he was honored
with the attention of the distinguished telegraphers of that continent.
His Majesty, Louis Napoleon, Emperor of the French, accorded to him
full honor, and directed the various officials to expose to Mr, Shaffner's
inspection and information whatever he desired in the telegraphic
service.
The officials in Belgium, Iolland HIanover, Prussia, Denmark, Sweden,