The Project Gutenberg EBook of Samuel F. B. Morse, His Letters and Journals by Samuel F. B. Morse

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Title: Samuel F. B. Morse, His Letters and Journals In Two Volumes, Volume II

Author: Samuel F. B. Morse

Release Date: February 10, 2004 [EBook #11018]

Language: English

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SAMUEL F.B. MORSE

HIS LETTERS AND JOURNALS

IN TWO VOLUMES

VOLUME II

[Illustration: Sam'l. F.B. Morse]

SAMUEL F.B. MORSE

HIS LETTERS AND JOURNALS

EDITED AND SUPPLEMENTED

BY HIS SON

EDWARD LIND MORSE

ILLUSTRATED WITH REPRODUCTIONS OF HIS PAINTINGS AND WITH NOTES AND DIAGRAMS BEARING ON THE INVENTION OF THE TELEGRAPH

VOLUME II

1914

Published November 1914

"Th' invention all admir'd, and each how he
To be th' inventor miss'd, so easy it seem'd
Once found, which yet unfound most would have thought
Impossible."

MILTON.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER XXI

OCTOBER 1, 1832—FEBRUARY 28, 1833

Packet-ship Sully.—Dinner-table conversation.—Dr. Charles T. Jackson.— First conception of telegraph.—Sketch-book.—Idea of 1832 basic principle of telegraph of to-day.—Thoughts on priority.—Testimony of passengers and Captain Pell.—Difference between "discovery" and "invention."—Professor E.N. Hereford's paper.—Arrival in New York.— Testimony of his brothers.—First steps toward perfection of the invention.—Letters to Fenimore Cooper

CHAPTER XXII

1833—1836

Still painting.—Thoughts on art.—Picture of the Louvre.—Rejection as painter of one of the pictures in the Capitol.—John Quincy Adams.—James Fenimore Cooper's article.—Death blow to his artistic ambition.— Washington Allston's letter.—Commission by fellow artists.—Definite abandonment of art.—Repayment of money advanced.—Death of Lafayette.— Religious controversies.—Appointed Professor in University of City of New York.—Description of first telegraphic instrument.—Successful experiments.—Relay.—Address in 1853

CHAPTER XXIII

1836—1837

First exhibitions of the Telegraph.—Testimony of Robert G. Rankin and Rev. Henry B. Tappan.—Cooke and Wheatstone.—Joseph Henry, Leonard D. Gale, and Alfred Vail.—Professor Gale's testimony.—Professor Henry's discoveries.—Regrettable controversy of later years.—Professor Charles T. Jackson's claims.—Alfred Vail.—Contract of September 23, 1837.—Work at Morristown, New Jersey.—The "Morse Alphabet."—Reading by sound.— First and second forms of alphabet

CHAPTER XXIV

OCTOBER 3, 1837—MAY 18, 1838

The Caveat.—Work at Morristown.—Judge Vail.—First success.—Resolution in Congress regarding telegraphs.—Morse's reply.—Illness.—Heaviness of first instruments.—Successful exhibition in Morristown.—Exhibition in New York University.—First use of Morse alphabet.—Change from first form of alphabet to present form.—Trials of an inventor.—Dr. Jackson.— Slight friction between Morse and Vail.—Exhibition at Franklin Institute, Philadelphia.—Exhibitions in Washington.—Skepticism of public.—F.O.J. Smith.—F.L. Pope's estimate of Smith.—Proposal for government telegraph.—Smith's report.—Departure for Europe

CHAPTER XXV

JUNE, 1838—JANUARY 21. 1839

Arrival in England.—Application for letters patent.—Cooke and Wheatstone's telegraph.—Patent refused.—Departure for Paris.—Patent secured in France.—Earl of Elgin.—Earl of Lincoln.—Baron de Meyendorff.—Russian contract.—Return to London.—Exhibition at the Earl of Lincoln's.—Letter from secretary of Lord Campbell, Attorney-General. —Coronation of Queen Victoria.—Letters to daughter.—Birth of the Count of Paris.—Exhibition before the Institute of France.—Arago; Baron Humboldt.—Negotiations with the Government and Saint-Germain Railway.— Reminiscences of Dr. Kirk.—Letter of the Honorable H. L. Ellsworth.— Letter to F.O.J. Smith.—Dilatoriness of the French

CHAPTER XXVI

JANUARY 6, 1839—MARCH 9, 1839

Despondent letter to his brother Sidney.—Longing for a home.—Letter to Smith.—More delays.—Change of ministry.—Proposal to form private company.—Impossible under the laws of France.—Telegraphs a government monopoly.—Refusal of Czar to sign Russian contract.—Dr. Jackson.—M. Amyot.—Failure to gain audience of king.—Lord Elgin.—Earl of Lincoln. —Robert Walsh prophesies success.—Meeting with Earl of Lincoln in later years.—Daguerre.—Letter to Mrs. Cass on lotteries.—Railway and military telegraphs.—Skepticism of a Marshal of France

CHAPTER XXVII

APRIL 15, 1839—SEPTEMBER 30, 1840

Arrival in New York.—Disappointment at finding nothing done by Congress or his associates.—Letter to Professor Henry.—Henry's reply.— Correspondence with Daguerre.—Experiments with daguerreotypes.— Professor Draper.—First group photograph of a college class.—Failure of Russian contract.—Mr. Chamberlain.—Discouragement through lack of funds.—No help from his associates.—Improvements in telegraph made by Morse.—Humorous letter

CHAPTER XXVIII

JUNE 20, 1840—AUGUST 12, 1842

First patent issued.—Proposal of Cooke and Wheatstone to join forces rejected.—Letter to Rev. E.S. Salisbury.—Money advanced by brother artists repaid.—Poverty.—Reminiscences of General Strother, "Porte Crayon."—Other reminiscences.—Inaction in Congress.—Flattering letter of F.O.J. Smith.—Letter to Smith urging action.—Gonon and Wheatstone.— Temptation to abandon enterprise.—Partners all financially crippled.— Morse alone doing any work.—Encouraging letter from Professor Henry.— Renewed enthusiasm.—Letter to Hon. W.W. Boardman urging appropriation of $3500 by Congress.—Not even considered.—Despair of