Morse, Samuel Finley Breese (1791-1872) to George Wood
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04080 Author/Creator: Morse, Samuel Finley Breese (1791-1872) Place Written: Poughkeepsie, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 June 1864 Pagination: 3 p. ; 24.7 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy
Thanks Wood for sending a letter written by Secretary of State William H. Seward concerning a petition for government aid in constructing an overland international telegraph line. Remarks upon the rapid progress of the telegraph throughout the world and mentions the first telegraph message, chosen by 18 year old Annie Ellsworth, "What hath God wrought." Comments that although he had predicted the telegraph would go around the world, he did not expect to live to see it happen. Expresses satisfaction that though many have tried to improve upon his system, the "Morse System," is still used throughout the world, because of its "simplicity and its adaptedness to universality." States that he has heard the Senate has passed the Telegraph bill but laments that the subsidy clause was struck down. Mentions the hot weather and expresses sympathy for the soldiers enduring it in the camps. With a half-page autograph note of George Wood dated 20 November 1865 to a Mrs. Lanverier remarking upon Ellsworth's first telegraph message.
Morse is credited with inventing the telegraph and Morse code. In 1844, he sent the first telegraphic message, from Baltimore to Washington, D.C., "What hath God wrought!" He was also an accomplished artist and politician.
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