In 1803 the first stone of the new Exchange buildings was laid on June 30; finished January 1, 1809.  The total cost for the building of this magnificent structure, the great architectural ornament of Liverpool, and the finest commercial building in the empire, was £110,848. An Electric Telegraph opened in Exchange buildings in October 1847. In 1866, the first public message of a commercial character  transmitted by the Atlantic Telegraph was posted on the slate of the Exchange News-room. It was as follows :- 'Palmyra, screw-steamer, hence at New York yesterday'. Aug.1.  Dr.Livingstone, the celebrated African traveller and missionary, visited Liverpool, on October 12 1857, and on the following day addressed a meeting of merchants and others, in the Cotton Sales-room, Exchange Buildings.