The Earl of Derby to Edwards Pierrepont, August 7, 1877

Lord Derby to Mr. Pierrepont.

Sir: I referred to the proper department of Her Majesty’s Government your letter of the 8th of June, and I have now the honor to inform you that every facility will be granted to the United States authorities to enable them to accomplish the object which they have in view of determining the longitude between Lisbon and the east coast of South America.

For this purpose, both the royal observatory at Greenwich and the government postal telegraph will be placed at their disposal, and, assuming that the experiments will be carried out at night, so as not to interfere with the public traffic, a post-office wire will be set apart for the purpose between Greenwich and Falmouth. Between the latter place and Porth Curno there is no post-office wire, but there is one belonging to the Eastern Telegraph Company, of which it has been ascertained that the use will be allowed, by which direct communication will be established between the desired points.

T have to state, in conclusion, that Her Majesty’s Government will readily sanction, the erection of an observatory at Porth Curno, as requested in your letter.

I have, &c.,