Morse, Samuel Finley Breese (1791-1872) to Catherine Pattison
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 #: GLC06328 Author/Creator: Morse, Samuel Finley Breese (1791-1872) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 August 1837 Pagination: 4 p. : address ; 25 x 20.5 cm. Order a Copy
Mentions visiting Boston, Plymouth, and Cape Cod where he made a search for the relics of the Mayflower and the Pilgrims. Updates her on the progress of the telegraph. Reports that the telegraph is testing well but expresses some anxiety over being beaten to the punch. " ... I have reason to fear that other nations will have taken the hint, and will rob me both of the credit and the profit." Mentions what is being printed in journals about the issue. Comments on visiting her and tells her he loves receiving her letters. Discusses the works of Hannah More, an English evangelical writer and proclaims his views on religion. Separate address leaf page.
Morse is credited with inventing the telegraph and Morse code. In 1844, he sent the first telegraphic message, from Baltimore to Washington, D.C. He was also an accomplished artist and politician.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.