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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) [Expenditures for first telegraph between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04894 Author/Creator: Morse, Samuel Finley Breese (1791-1872) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph document signed Date: 31 March 1843 - 8 April 1843 Pagination: 3 p. ; 32.1 x 20.1 cm. Order a Copy

Records expenditures for many of the key components for the first telegraph line between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. Entitled "United States in account with Samuel F. B. Morse." Includes traveling expenses, advertising, office supplies, salaries, and wire.

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

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