Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese (1791-1872) to Edward P. Fry

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04503.02 Author/Creator: Morse, Samuel Finley Breese (1791-1872) Place Written: Washington, D. C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 July 1844 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 24.5 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Replies to Fry's letter stating that he will inform him of his partners' decisions as soon as he hears from them. Comments that he is convalescent and will probably pass through Philadelphia to New York soon. Advises that if a satisfactory arrangement is made with a company for a telegraphic line from Philadelphia to New York, he will do what he can to secure Fry his desired situation.

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.

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872
Fry, Edward P., fl. 1844-1870

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources