Then, on August 16th, it was suddenly announced that a message from Queen Victoria had been received. Its contents were published.
            “To the President of the United States, Washington.
            The Queen desires to congratulate the president upon the successful completion of this great international work…
            The Queen is convinced that…the electric cable which now connects Great Britain with the United States will prove an additional link between the nations, whose friendship is founded upon their common interest and reciprocal esteem.
            The Queen has much pleasure in thus communicating with the president and renewing to him her wishes for the prosperity of the United States.”

The President’s answer was also widely reprinted.
Washington, City, August 16, 1858.
            "To Her Majesty Victoria, the Queen of Great Britain:
            The President cordially reciprocates the congratulations of Her Majesty the Queen…
            It is a triumph…far more useful to mankind than was ever won…prove to be a bond of peace and friendship…and an instrument destined by Divine Providence to diffuse religion, civilization, liberty, and law throughout the world."
                                                                                    ...JAMES BUCHANAN
In New York City, the morning after the Queen’s message was received, 100 guns were fired in Central Park at daybreak, and again at 12:00 noon. The buildings were decorated with flags; the bells of all the churches were rung, and people crowded in for special services... That night the whole city was lit up.