In quoting printed and manuscript sources I have generally retained the spelling, punctuation, and typography of the originals. In fitting short quotations grammatically into my own sentences, however, I have occasionally had to capitalize or lowercase the first letter of the original.
The following abbreviations appear frequently in the documentation, representing the chief collections of primary material by and about Morse:
C: Ezra Cornell Papers, Cornell University Library
ELM: Samuel F. B. Morse: His Letters and Journals, ed. Edward Lind Morse, 2 vols. (1914; rpt. New York, 1973)
HORLB: Henry O’Reilly Letterbooks, New-York Historical Society
HORP: Henry O’Reilly Papers, New-York Historical Society
HORSB: Henry O’Reilly Scrapbooks, New-York Historical Society
LHL: Samuel F. B. Morse journal, Linda Hall Library, Kansas City, Mo. M:ORLB: Henry O’Reilly Letterbooks, New-York Historical Society
HORP: Henry O’Reilly Papers, New-York Historical Society
HORSB: Henry O’Reilly Scrapbooks, New-York Historical Society
LHL: Samuel F. B. Morse journal, Linda Hall Library, Kansas City, Mo. M:RLB: Henry O’Reilly Letterbooks, New-York Historical Society
HORP: Henry O’Reilly Papers, New-York Historical Society
HORSB: Henry O’Reilly Scrapbooks, New-York Historical Society
LHL: Samuel F. B. Morse journal, Linda Hall Library, Kansas City, Mo. M:: Samuel F. B. Morse Papers, Library of Congress. The abbreviation is followed by a number that indicates the relevant reel in the library’s microfilm edition. Thus M32 stands for reel 32 of the microfilm edition of the Morse Papers. The abbreviation “fr.” indicates the frame number in the reel. N: Edward Julian Nally Papers, Princeton University Library N-YO: New-York Observer
P: Samuel Irenaeus Prime, The Life of Samuel F. B. Morse, LL.D. (New York, 1875) S: Francis O. J. Smith Papers, Maine Historical Society V: Vail Telegraph Collection, Smithsonian Institution Archives V-NYHS: Alfred Vail Transcripts, New-York Historical Society
WU: Western Union Collection, National Museum of American History XM: “Samuel F. B. Morse and other members of the Morse and Walker families
1816–1869,” microfilm, Library of Congress Y: Morse Family Papers, Yale University Library
I have also abbreviated the names of frequently mentioned persons as follows:
AK = Amos Kendall; AV = Alfred Vail; EC = Ezra Cornell; EM = Elizabeth Morse; FOJS = Francis O. J. Smith; HOR = Henry O’Reilly; JM = Jedediah Morse; LWM = Lucretia Walker Morse; RM = Richard Morse; SFB = Samuel F. B. Morse; SM = Sidney Morse.
The following, mostly secondary works are all cited in the documentation, usually by the author’s last name alone:
Adkins, Nelson Frederick. Fitz-Greene Halleck: An Early Knickerbocker Wit and Poet. New Haven, Conn., 1930.
Allston, Washington. The Correspondence of Washington Allston, ed. Nathalia Wright. Lexington, Mass., 1993.
Anbinder, Tyler. Nativism and Slavery: The Northern Know Nothings and the Politics of the 1850s. New York, 1992.
Baark, Erik. Lightning Wires: The Telegraph and China’s Technological Modernization, 1860–1890. Westport, Conn., 1997.
Baker, Paul R. The Fortunate Pilgrims: Americans in Italy 1800–1860. Cambridge, Mass., 1964.
Barger, M. Susan, and William B. White. The Daguerreotype: Nineteenth-Century Technology and Modern Science. Baltimore, 1991.
Bates, David Homer. Lincoln in the Telegraph Office. 1907; rpt., Lincoln, Nebr., 1995.
Beauchamp, Ken. History of Telegraphy. London, 2001.
Bektas, Yakup. “The Sultan’s Messenger: Cultural Constructions of Ottoman Telegraphy, 1847–1880.” Technology and Culture 41 (October 2000): 669–96.
Beniger, James R. The Control Revolution: Technological and Economic Origins of the Information Society. Cambridge, Mass., 1986.
Bergen, Fons Vanden. Classics of Communication. Brussels, 1999.
Berkeley, G. F.-H. Italy in the Making 1815 to 1846. 1932; rpt., Cambridge, England, 1968.
Bijker, Wiebe E., et al. eds. The Social Construction of Technological Systems. Cambridge, Mass., 1987.
Billington, Ray Allen. The Protestant Crusade. New York, 1938.
Bjelajac, David. Millennial Desire and the Apocalyptic Vision of Washington Allston. Washington, D.C., 1988.
Blied, Benjamin J. Austrian Aid to American Catholics 1830–1860. Milwaukee, 1944.
Blondheim, Menahem. News over the Wires: The Telegraph and the Flow of Public Information in America, 1844–1897. Cambridge, Mass., 1994.
____“When Bad Things Happen to Good Technologies: Three Phases in the Diffusion and Perception of American Telegraphy,” in Technology, Pessimism, and Postmodernism, ed. Yaron Ezrahi, et al. (Dordrecht, Netherlands, 1994), 77–92.
Boase, T. S. R. English Art 1800–1870. Oxford, England, 1959.
Bowers, Brian. Sir Charles Wheatstone FRS 1802–1875. London, 1975.
Briggs, Charles F., and Augustus Maverick. The Story of the Telegraph, and a History of the Great Atlantic Cable. New York, 1858.
Bright, Charles. The Story of the Atlantic Cable. New York, 1903.
Brown, Charles H. William Cullen Bryant. New York, 1971.
Brown, Ralph H. “The American Geographies of Jedediah Morse.” Annals of the Association of American Geographers 31, no. 3 (September 1941): 145–217.
Bruce, Robert V. The Launching of Modern American Science 1846–1876. New York, 1987. Burchell, S. C. Imperial Masquerade: The Paris of Napoleon III. New York, 1971.
Burnham, M., and Lucretia Hoover Giese, eds. Redefining History Painting. New York, 1995. Burrows, Edwin G., and Mike Wallace. Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898. New York, 1999.
Butrica, Andrew J. “From Inspecteur to Ingénieur: Telegraphy and the Genesis of Electrical Engineering in France, 1845–1881.” Ph.D. diss., Iowa State, 1986.
Cain, Robert J. “Telegraph Cables in the British Empire, 1850–1900.” Ph.D. diss., Duke, 1971.
Carré, Patrice A. Télégraphes: Innovations techniques et société au 19e siècle. Paris, 1996.
Carter, Samuel, III. Cyrus Field: Man of Two Worlds. New York, 1968. Cavanaugh, Cam, et al. At Speedwell in the Nineteenth Century. Morristown, N.J., 1981.
Church, Clive H. Europe in 1830: Revolution and Political Change. London, 1983. Clark, Eliot. History of the National Academy of Design 1825–1953. New York, 1954.
Cooper, James Fenimore. Gleanings in Europe: France, ed. Thomas Philbrick and Constance Ayers Denne. Albany, N.Y., 1983. Letters and Journals of James Fenimore Cooper, ed. James Franklin Beard, vols. 2, 3, 5, 6.
Cambridge, Mass., 1960, 1964, 1968.
Coulson, Thomas. Joseph Henry: His Life and Work. Princeton, N.J., 1950.
Cowdrey, Mary Bartlett, et al. American Academy of Fine Arts and American Art-Union. New York, 1953. Crook, D. P. The North, the South, and the Powers 1861–1865. New York, 1974.
Crosland, Maurice. The Society of Arcueil: A View of French Science at the Time of Napoleon I. London, 1967.
Cummings, Thomas S. Historic Annals of the National Academy of Design. 1865; rpt., New York, 1969.
Cunningham, Noble E., Jr. The Presidency of James Monroe. Lawrence, Kans., 1996.
Czitrom, Daniel J. Media and the American Mind: From Morse to McLuhan. Chapel Hill, N.C., 1982.
Davis, David Brion. The Slave Power Conspiracy and the Paranoid Style. Baton Rouge, La., 1969.
Dearinger, David B. “Annual Exhibitions and the Birth of American Art Criticism to 1865,” in Dearinger, ed., Rave Reviews: American Art and Its Critics, 1826–1925 (New York, 2000), 53–91.
Dibner, Bern. The Atlantic Cable, 2d ed. New York, n.d. Dobyns, Kenneth W. The Patent Office Pony: A History of the Early Patent Offices. Fredericksburg, Md., 1997.
Dorf, Philip. The Builder: A Biography of Ezra Cornell. New York, 1952.
Droz, Jacques. Europe Between Revolutions 1815–1848, trans. Robert Baldick. New York, 1967.
Du Boff, Richard B. “Business Demand and the Development of the Telegraph in the United States, 1844–1860.” Business History Review 44, no. 4 (Winter 1980): 459–79.
Dunlap, William. A History of the Rise and Progress of the Arts of Design in the United States, 2 vols. 1834; rpt., New York, 1969. Diary of William Dunlap, 3 vols. New York, 1931.
Faust, Drew Gilpin. “Introduction,” in Faust, ed., The Ideology of Slavery: Proslavery Thought in the Antebellum South, 1830–1860 (Baton Rouge, La., 1981), 1–21.
Feller, Daniel. The Jacksonian Promise: America, 1815–1840. Baltimore, 1995.
Field, Henry M. History of the Atlantic Telegraph. New York, 1866.
Flagg, Jared B. The Life and Letters of Washington Allston. New York, 1892.
Fleming, Donald. John William Draper and the Religion of Science. Philadelphia, 1950.
Foresta, Merry A., and John Wood. Secrets of the Dark Chamber: The Art of the American Daguerreotype. Washington, D.C., 1995.
Fox, Robert. The Culture of Science in France, 1700–1900. Great Yarmouth, England, 1992.
Fraser, Walter J., Jr. Charleston! Charleston! The History of a Southern City. Columbia, S.C., 1989.
Frusciano, Thomas J., and Marilyn H. Pettit. New York University and the City: An Illustrated History. New Brunswick, N.J., 1997.
Fryd, Vivien Green. Art & Empire: The Politics of Ethnicity in the United States Capitol, 1815–1860. New Haven, Conn., 1992.
Gaffney, Thomas L. “Maine’s Mr. Smith: A Study of the Career of Francis O. J. Smith, Politician and Entrepreneur.” Ph.D. diss., Maine, 1979.
Geisst, Charles R. Wall Street: A History. New York, 1997.
Gerdts, William H., and Theodore E. Stebbins, Jr. “A Man of Genius”: The Art of Washington Allston. Boston, 1979.
Gerdts, William H., and Mark Thistlethwaite. Grand Illusions: History Painting in America. Fort Worth, Tex., 1988.
Gernsheim, Helmut, and Alison Gernsheim. L. J. M. Daguerre. London, 1956.
Greenough, Horatio. Letters of Horatio Greenough American Sculptor, ed. Nathalia Wright. Madison, Wis., 1972.
Headrick, Daniel R. The Invisible Weapon: Telecommunications and International Politics 1851–1945. New York, 1991.
Henry, Joseph. The Papers of Joseph Henry, ed. Nathan Reingold. Washington, D.C., 1972–
Hershkowitz, Leo. “The Native American Democratic Association in New York City, 1835–1836.” New-York Historical Society (Quarterly 46 (January 1962): 41–59.
Hochfelder, David Paul. “Electrical Communication, Language, and Self,” in Chris Hables Gray, ed., Technohistory (Malabar, Fla., 1996), 119–39.
“Taming the Lightning: American Telegraphy as a Revolutionary Technology, 1832–1860.” Ph.D. diss., Case Western, 1999.
Holt, Michael F. The Rise and Fall of the American Whig Party: Jacksonian Politics and the Onset of the Civil War. New York, 1999.
Holzmann, Gerard J., and Björn Pehrson. The Early History of Data Networks. Los Alamitos, Calif., 1995.
Hone, Philip. The Diary of Philip Hone 1828–1851, ed. Allan Nevins, 2 vols. New York, 1927.
Howarth, T. E. B. Citizen-King: The Life of Louis-Philippe. London, 1961.
Hunnewell, James F. A Century of Town Life: A History of Charlestown, Massachusetts, 1775–1887. Boston, 1888.
Hutchison, Sidney C. The History of the Royal Academy 1768–1986. London, 1986.
Hyman, Harold, ed. Heard Round the World: The Impact Abroad of the Civil War. New York, 1969.
Israel, Paul. From Machine Shop to Industrial Laboratory: Telegraphy and the Changing Context of American Invention, 1830–1920. Baltimore, 1992.
Israel, Paul, and Keith Nier. “The Transfer of Telegraph Technologies in the Nineteenth Century,” in David J. Jeremy, ed., International Technology Transfer: Europe, Japan and the USA, 1700–1914 (Hampshire, England, 1991), 95–121.
Jaffe, Irma B. John Trumbull: Patriot-Artist of the American Revolution. Boston, 1975. ed. The Italian Presence in American Art, 1760–1860. New York, 1989. Jepsen, Thomas C. My Sisters Telegraphic: Women in the Telegraph Office, 1846–1950.
Athens, Ohio, 2000. John, Richard R. “Recasting the Information Infrastructure for the Industrial Age,” in Alfred D. Chandler, Jr., and James W. Cortada, eds., A Nation Transformed by Information (New York, 2000), 55–106.
“Private Enterprise, Public Good? Communications Deregulation as a National Political Issue, 1839–1851,” unpublished. Johnson, Paul. The Birth of the Modern: World Society 1815–1830. New York, 1991. Jones, Alexander. Historical Sketch of the Electric Telegraph. New York, 1852. Jones, Theodore Francis. New York University, 1832:1932. New York, 1933. Katz, Irving. August Belmont: A Political Biography. New York, 1968. Kendall, Amos. Autobiography of Amos Kendall, ed. William Stickney. Boston, 1872. Khan, Bibi Zorina. “ ‘The progress of science and the useful arts’: Inventive activity in the antebellum period.” Ph.D. diss., UCLA, 1991. King, Thomas Wayne. Modern Morse Code in Rehabilitation and Education. Boston, 2000. King, W. James. “The Development of Electrical Technology in the 19th Century: The Telegraph.” Contributions from the Museum of History and Technology, Bulletin 228 (Washington, D.C., 1962). Knobel, Dale T. Paddy and the Republic: Ethnicity and Nationality in AntebellumAmerica. Middletown, Conn., 1986. Kramer, Lloyd. Lafayette in Two Worlds: Public Cultures and Personal Identities in an Age of Revolution. Chapel Hill, N.C., 1996. Langer, William L. Political and Social Upheaval 1832–1855. New York, 1969. Lee, Basil Leo. Discontent in New York City 1861–1865. Washington, D.C., 1943. Leonard, Ira M. “New York City Politics, 1841–1844: Nativism and Reform.” Ph.D. diss., New York University, 1965.
Leonard, Ira M., and Robert D. Parmet. American Nativism, 1830–1860. New York, 1971. Levenstein, Harvey. Seductive Journey: American Tourists in France from Jefferson to the Jazz Age. Chicago, 1992. Lindley, Lester G. “The Constitution Faces Technology: The Relationship of the National Government to the Telegraph, 1866–1884.” Ph.D. diss., Rice, 1971. London—World City 1800–1840, ed. Celina Fox. New Haven and London, 1992. Long, E. B. The Civil War Day by Day. New York, 1971. Lundeberg, Philip K. Samuel Colt’s Submarine Battery: The Secret and the Enigma.
Washington, D.C., 1974. Mabee, Carleton. The American Leonardo: A Life of Samuel F. B. Morse. New York, 1943.
Marland, E. A. Early Electrical Communication. London, 1964.
Martineau, Harriet. Retrospect of Western Travel, ed. Daniel Feller. Armonk, N.Y., 2000.
Mattelart, Armand. The Invention of Communication, trans. Susan Emanuel. Minneapolis, 1996.
Mayer, Henry. All on Fire: William Lloyd Garrison and the Abolition of Slavery. New York, 1998.
McKay, Ernest A. The Civil War and New York City. Syracuse, N.Y., 1990.
McNamara, Brooks. Day of Jubilee: The Great Age of Public Celebrations in New York, 1788–1909. New Brunswick, N.J., 1997.
McPherson, James M. The Struggle for Equality: Abolitionists and the Negro in the Civil War and Reconstruction. Princeton, N.J., 1964. Memorial of Samuel Finley Breese Morse. Washington, D.C., 1875.
Meyer, Herbert W. A History of Electricity and Magnetism. Cambridge, Mass., 1971. Miller, Lillian B. Patrons and Patriotism: The Encouragement of the Fine Arts in the United States 1790–1860. Chicago, 1966. Morse, Samuel F. B. Lectures on the Affinity of Painting with the Other Fine Arts by Samuel F. B. Morse, ed. Nicolai Cikovsky, Jr. Columbia, S.C., 1983. Morus, Iwan R. “Telegraphy and the Technology of Display: The Electricians and Samuel Morse.” History of Technology, 1991, 20–40. Frankenstein’s Children: Electricity, Exhibition, and Experiment in Early Nineteenth-Century London. Princeton, N.J., 1998. Moss, Richard J. The Life of Jedediah Morse: A Station of Peculiar Exposure. Knoxville, Tenn., 1995. Moyer, Albert E. Joseph Henry: The Rise of an American Scientist. Washington, D.C., 1997. Mullaly, John. The Laying of the Cable. New York, 1858.
Neal, John. Observations on American Art, ed. Harold Edward Dickson. State College, Pa., 1943. The New American State Papers: Science and Technology, 8. Wilmington, Del., 1973. Newman, John. Somerset House. London, 1990. Nickles, David. “Telegraph Diplomats: The United States’ Relations with France in 1848 and 1870.” Technology and Culture 40, no. 1 (January 1999): 1–25. Niven, John. Martin Van Buren: The Romantic Age of American Politics. New York, 1983.
Noll, Mark A. “The Bible and Slavery,” in Religion and the American Civil War, ed.
Randall M. Miller, et al. (New York, 1998), 43–73.
Nonnenmacher, Thomas W. “Law, Emerging Technology and Market Structure: The Development of the Telegraph Industry: 1838–1868.” Ph.D. diss., Illinois, 1996.
Nye, David E. “Shaping Communication Networks: Telegraph, Telephone, Computer.” Social Research 64, no. 3 (Fall 1997): 1067–91.
Overmyer, Grace. America’s First Hamlet. Westport, Conn., 1957.
Perkins, Bradford. Prologue to War: England and the United States 1805–1812.
Berkeley, Calif., 1961.
Perkins, Dexter. “Henry O’Reilly.” Rochester History 7, no. 1 (January 1945): 1–24.
Pessen, Edward. Jacksonian America: Society, Personality, and Politics, rev. ed. Chicago, 1985.
Peters, John Durham. Speaking into the Air: A History of the Idea of Communication. Chicago, 1999.
Phillips, Joseph W. Jedediah Morse and New England Congregationalism. New Brunswick, N.J., 1983.
Pilbeam, Pamela. The 1830 Revolution in France. New York, 1991.
Pinkney, David H. Napoleon III and the Rebuilding of Paris. Princeton, N.J., 1958.
Plum, William R. The Military Telegraph during the Civil War in the United States. 1882; rpt., New York, 1974.
Post, Robert C. Physics, Patents, and Politics: A Biography of Charles Grafton Page. New York, 1976.
Potter, David M. The Impending Crisis 1848–1861. New York, 1976.
Prescott, George B. History, Theory, and Practice of the Electric Telegraph, 4th ed. Boston, 1866.
Rebora, Carrie J. “The American Academy of the Fine Arts, New York, 1802–1842.” Ph.D. diss., New York University, 1990.
Remini, Robert V. Andrew Jackson: The Course of American Democracy, 1833–1845. Baltimore, 1984. Report of the Commissioner of Patents for the Year 1849. Washington, D.C., 1850.
Root, M. A. The Camera and The Pencil: or the Heliographic Art. Philadelphia, 1864.
Rudé, George. Debate on Europe 1815–1850. New York, 1972.
Russell, R. W. History of the Invention of the Electric Telegraph Abridged from the Works of Lawrence Turnbull, M.D. New York, 1853.
Samuel F. B. Morse Educator and Champion of the Arts in America. New York, 1982.
Saward, George. The Trans-Atlantic Submarine Telegraph. London, 1878.
Schudson, Michael. Discovering the News: A Social History of American Newspapers.
New York, 1978.
Scisco, Louis D. Political Nativism in New York State. New York, 1901.
Sellers, Charles. The Market Revolution: Jacksonian America, 1815–1846. New York, 1991.
Shoptaugh, Terry L. “Amos Kendall: A Political Biography.” Ph.D. diss., New Hampshire, 1984.
Siemens, Werner. Personal Recollections of Werner von Siemens, trans. W. C. Coup-land. New York, 1893.
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Snyder, Alan K. “Foundations of Liberty: The Christian Republicanism of Timothy Dwight and Jedediah Morse.” New England (Quarterly 56, no. 3 (September 1983): 382–97.
Spann, Edward K. The New Metropolis: New York City 1840–1857. New York, 1981.
Staiti, Paul J. “Samuel F. B. Morse in Charleston 1818–1821.” South Carolina Historical Magazine 79, no. 2 (April 1978): 87–112.
________“God, Family, and Art: Unpublished Letters from Samuel F. B. Morse.” Archives of American Art Journal 25, no. 4 (1985): 10–15.
______. Samuel F. B. Morse. Cambridge, Mass., 1989.
Stebbins, Theodore E., Jr., ed. The Lure of Italy: American Artists and the Italian Experience. New York, 1992.
Stephens, Carlene E. “The Impact of the Telegraph on Public Time in the United States, 1844–1893.” IEEE Technology and Society Magazine, March 1989, 4–10.
Strong, George Templeton. The Diary of George Templeton Strong … 1850–1859, ed. Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas. New York, 1952.
Tatham, David. “Samuel F. B. Morse’s Gallery of the Louvre: The Figures in the Foreground.” American Art Journal 13, no. 4 (Autumn 1981): 38–48.
Thayer, Donald R. “Art Training in the National Academy of Design, 1825–1835.” Ph.D. diss., Missouri, 1978.
Thompson, Robert Luther. Wiring a Continent: The History of the Telegraph Industry in the United States 1832–1866. Princeton, N.J., 1947.
Waples, Dorothy. The Whig Myth of James Fenimore Cooper. New Haven, Conn., 1938.
Watts, Steven. The Republic Reborn: War and the Making of Liberal America, 1790–1820. Baltimore, 1987.
Welling, William. Photography in America: The Formative Years 1839–1900. New York, 1978. Whitman, Walt. The Journalism, 1, ed. Herbert Bergman. New York, 1998.
Wood, John, ed. America and the Daguerreotype. Iowa City, Iowa, 1991.
Wright, Conrad. “The Controversial Career of Jedediah Morse.” Harvard Library Bulletin 31, no. 1 (Winter 1983): 64–87.
Wright, Nathalia. Horatio Greenough: The First American Sculptor. Philadelphia, 1963.
_____, ed. Letters of Horatio Greenough, American Sculptor. Madison, Wis., 1972.
In the documentation that follows, I have used the first few words of each paragraph in the text, printed in boldface, to group citations for that paragraph. Individual citations are keyed to a prominent word in the relevant sentence of the paragraph:
ONE: GEOGRAPHY
On April 30/ Sufficient: JM to his father, 6 Nov 1786, Y. On JM generally see R. Brown, Moss, Phillips, and C. Wright. And for Jedediah/ Greatest: JM to his father, 29 Nov 1786, Y. Two weeks after/ Dwarf: ELM, I, 173. Pattern: JM to EM, 5 Sep 1796, Y. Jedediah became prominent/ Whirlpool: JM to his father, 28 Feb 1794, Y Such ominous/ See, for instance, JM, Sermon Preached at Charlestown, November 29, 1798, on the Anniversary Thanksgiving (1799). Jedediah’s fiery/ Unhappy: JM to John Jay, 23 May 1800, Y. Concerned above/ Rise: “Directions for the behaviour of Samuel Finley Breese Morse, by his Father,” 1 Nov 1799, Phillips Academy. Observe: JM to SFB, 19 Dec 1800, Y. Settled in the/ Retire: SFB to JM, 19 Aug 1799, Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Daily: EM to her sons, 11 Feb 1804, Phillips Academy. The longdistance/ Vary: JM to his sons, 12 Feb 1804, Phillips Academy. Vulgar: various letters from JM to SFB, 1799–1805, Phillips Academy. The letters Finley/ Character: JM to SFB, 7 Mar 1801, Y. Indulgence: JM to SFB and SM, 3 Nov 1802, Y. Jedediah rarely/ Peculiar: JM to [unidentified], 17 Nov 1800, Y. And Jedediah and/ Remember: Oliver Brown to SFB, 18 Sep 1801, Phillips Academy. Once Finley left/ Preceptor: JM to his sons, 1 Aug 1803, Y. Omitted: JM to his sons, 12 Mar 1804, Phillips Academy. And Finley’s improvement/ Hills: JM to SFB, 17 Oct 1804, Phillips Academy. Of Finley’s improvement/ Prepared: SFB to SM and RM, 15 Mar 1805, M1. While becoming more/Instructions: JM to his father, 25 Oct 1802, Y Amusement: JM to his sons, 1 Oct 1804, Phillips Academy. Manly: JM to SFB and SM, 3 Nov 1802, Y Finley now learned/ Stranger: ELM, I, 9. Finley felt belittled/ Anxious: JM to SFB, 18 Nov 1805, M1. When Finley at last/ Amusements: EM to SFB, 23 Nov 1805, M1. The question of/ Homesick: SFB to his parents, 25 Dec 1805, M1. Determine: EM to SFB, 27 Dec 1805, M1. Finley retaliated/ Brevity: SFB to JM, 20 Jan 1806, M1. Segars: EM to SFB, 1 Feb 1806, M1. The last condition/ Absent: SFB to his parents, 7 Jun 1807, M1. Exercise: SFB to his parents, 13 May 1807, M1. Around the fall/ Careful: EM to SFB, 1 Feb 1806, M1. Expend: SFB to his parents, 22 Oct 1805, M1. But Finley found/ Gluttons: EM to SFB, 1 Feb 1806, M1. Promised: EM to SFB, 23 Nov 1805, M1. Finley knew that/ Pocketbook: SFB to his brothers, 1 Jun 1809, M1. Blaming: SFB to his parents, 6 Mar 1808, M1. Jedediah and Elizabeth/ Disappointed: SFB to his parents, 9 Jan 1909, M1. Finley’s lusterless/ Whim: EM to SFB, 23 Nov 1805, M1. Steady, Fondness: P, p. 14; JM to SFB, 15 Jan 1806, M1. But at Yale/ Blow: P, p. 22. Finley developed/ Contents: SFB to his parents, 30 Jun 1807, M1. Trash: SFB to his parents, 25 Jan 1808, M1. Forever: document of 4 Mar 1808, Y. Jedediah and Elizabeth badly/ Prayers: EM to her sons, 13 Nov 1808, Y Mortify: JM to “Dr. Green,” 24 Dec 1805, M1. The world outside/ Dissolves: JM to Joseph Lyman (copy), 15 Jun 1805, Y Fountain: JM to Joseph Lyman, 19 Feb 1805, M1. Jesus: JM to “Dr. Osgood,” 3 Apr 1805, M1. The political situation/ Fallen: JM to Joseph Lyman, 22 Apr 1806, M1. Finley’s graduation/ Heart: SFB to Jennette Hart (copy), 30 May 1813, M2. The misery arose/ Admire: P, p. 25. Jedediah put off/ Best: ELM, I, 22. After learning the plan/ Determined: ELM, I, 23. Finley’s training/ Designed: JM to [unidentified], 18 Jul 1811, M1. Having consented/ Solicitude: JM to [unidentified], 18 Jul 1811, M1. With two piano-playing/Singularly: ELM, I, 33.
TWO: NO ONE UNINSPIRED BY THE MUSES MAY ENTER
The honored place/ Recommended: SFB to [unidentified], 17 Sep 1811, M1. Finley took rooms/ Reference: P, p. 41. SFB and Leslie later moved to 8 Buckingham Place. Many other artists/ Perfection: SFB to Jennette Hart, 30 May 1813, M2. Angel: SFB to his parents, 30 May 1813, M2. On Allston’s work see Gerdts, “A Man of Genius.” Through Allston/ Rubens: P, p. 36. Finley also visited fellow New Englander John Singleton Copley, expatriated, now in his seventies, and infirm: “his powers of mind have almost entirely left him; his late paintings are miserable.” ELM, I, 47. Only a few days/Voyage: SFB to [unidentified], 17 Sep 1811, M1. With an introduction/ Admittance: P, p. 35. On the Royal Academy see Hutchison and Newman. Finley first decided/ Difficult: SFB to his parents, 21 Oct 1811, M1, and cf. P, p. 40. Allston oversaw/ Mortifying: SFB to his parents, 25 May 1812, M2. With Finley’s growing/ Poets: SFB to Jennette Hart, 30 May 1813, M2. Color: SFB to his parents, 28 Feb 1812, M1. Preëminent: P, p. 46. Finley was not daunted/ Passion: P, p. 47. Finley took time/ Novels: Charles King to SFB and Charles Leslie, 3 Jan 1812, M1. Kindness: ELM, I, 46. Happy: SFB to Washington Allston, 10 Apr 1816, M3. Once settled/ Bloated: P, p. 45. Extensively: SFB to his parents, 20 May 1812, M2. Through Allston/ Pleased: SFB to his parents, 12 Jun 1813, M2. On Payne see Overmyer. Finley became an ardent/ Actress: P, p. 45. Confessed: ELM, I, 130. Finley’s new way/Agreeable: SFB to his parents, 28 Feb 1812, M1. Capricious: P, p. 47. But to Elizabeth/ Absorb’d: EM to SFB, 15 May 1812, Y. Acquisition: JM to SFB, 4 Mar 1814, M2. Pure: ELM, I, 118. Parents and child/ Dainties: P, p. 56. Respectable: ELM, I, 108. Finley stayed in touch/Habitually: SFB to his parents, 28 Feb 1812, M1. Jennette Hart/ Friend: SFB to Jennette Hart, 24 Jun 1814, M2. Reserve: SFB to Samuel Jarvis, 9 Sep 1814, Y. Small: P, p. 86. Born in the shadow/ Suffer: P, p. 49 No admirer/ Cease: SFB to his parents, 1 Nov 1812, M2. Servility: B. Perkins, 292. Scorn: Watts, 223. Over the first/ Alarming: P, pp. 43–44. One month later/ Chinese: SFB to his parents, 1 Nov 1812, M2. Bravo!: SFB to E. D. Cushing, 24 Sep 1812, Y. Insolent: Edward L. Morse, “Letters of Samuel F. B. Morse—1812,” North American Review 196 (1912): 122. Jedediah and Elizabeth did/ Mad: EM and JM to SFB, 28 Jun 181[2?], M2. But for Finley/ Beating: SFB to his parents, 1 Nov 1812, M2. Raptures: Edward L. Morse, “Letters of Samuel F. B. Morse—1812,” North American Review 196 (1912): 120. Finley dismissed/ Spirit: SFB to his parents, 1 Nov 1812, M2. Finley’s parents/ Maintain: JM to SFB, 17 Nov 1813, M2. Now a student/ Twenty: SFB to his parents, 1, 12, and 14 Mar 1814, M 2. Finley worked on/Compliment: P, p. 47. The judges/ Merit: Dunlap, History, 311. On the exhibition see also Boase, 152. Finley’s parents had long/ Likeness: EM to SFB, 13 Jun 1814, M2. Proficiency: Ward Safford to SFB, 13 Jun 1814, M2. Modesty: ELM, I, 113. Finley decided that/ Mammon: ELM, I, 164. Fie!: SFB to his parents, 22 Dec 1814, M2. Finley drew a second/ Conquest: ELM, I, 153. Outraged, Finley/ Washington: ELM, I, 152–53. Hate: ELM, I, 163. Finley appealed/ Intellectual: ELM, I, 133. On history painting see Gerdts and Thistlethwaite, Grand Illusions. Grieve: Washington Allston to JM, 15 Mar 1814, M2. Jedediah’s reply/ Portraits: ELM, I, 159 Farrand: EM to SFB, 3 Aug 1814, M2. In addition, Jedediah was involved in a decades-long fracas with a writer named Hannah Adams. See Phillips, 152 ff. Finley did not help/ Despotism: P, pp. 62, 67. Finley explained/ Louvre: SFB to his parents, 11 Oct 1814, M2. Desponding: ELM, I, 134. But to Elizabeth/ Schemer: ELM, I, 154. Educations: JM to SFB, 25 Jan 1815, M2. Late in December/Approved: JM to SFB, ígJul 1815, M2. Finley’s pleasure/ Mutually: SFB to Samuel Jarvis, 8 Feb 1815, Y. Bereft: P, p. 81. Leslie implies that Allston became suicidal. Revealed: Allston, 625. Finley still fretted/Storm: ELM, I, 172. Success: Edward L. Morse, “Letters of Samuel F. B. Morse—1812,” North American Review 196 (1912): 122. During the year/ Dread: Washington Allston to JM, 4 Aug 1815, Historical Society of Pennsylvania. See also Dunlap, History, 312–13. In depicting Marpessa’s/ Recollect: SFB to his parents, 23 Apr 1815, M2. Finley’s manifesto/Advice: ELM, I, 182; EM to SFB, 1 Jun 1815, M2. Jedediah returned/ Profession: ELM, I, 183. Although Finley considered/ Taste: SFB to his parents, 1 Mar 1814, M2. Endeavor: M32, fr. 40. The speed of/ Loss: SFB, journal for Jul–Aug 1811, M32. Finley sailed from/ Terror: SFB, journal for Aug–Sep 1815, M32. But on October/ Providence: SFB to his parents, 18 Oct 1815, M25.
THREE: A TERRIBLE HARUM-SCARUM FELLOW
Finley’s exhibition/ Accomplished: Staiti, Samuel F. B. Morse, 37. Uncommon: J. S. Dorsey to SFB, 27 May 1816, M3. With his most/ Hovel: SFB to LWM, 12 Jan 1820, M3. Drunkenness: SFB to his parents, 3 Oct 1816, M3. In getting about/ Undeceived: SFB to Samuel Jarvis, 10 Nov 1815, Y. Far from doing/ Celebrated: LWM to Sarah Livermore, 10 Aug 1816, M25. In fact, Finley/ Moon: SFB to LWM, 3 Sep 1816, Y. Considering that/ Fellow: ELM, I, 202. Remember: ELM, I, 206. Slutt: EM to RM, 6 Feb 1812, Y One thing about/ Gay: SFB to his parents, 7 Sep 1816, M3. Gospel: SFB to his parents, 14 Dec 1816, M3. As Finley’s qualms/ Impressions: JM to SFB, 9 Aug 1816, M3. Pleasure: JM to his parents, 20 Feb 1781, Y. While undergoing/ Coldness: SFB to LWM, 7 Jan 1817, Y. Endless: SFB to LWM, 17 Aug 1817, Woodruff Library, Emory University. Finley found Lucrece/ Pray: SFB to LWM, 18 Feb 1817, Y. Renewed: SFB to LWM, [probably Nov 1816], M25. Lucrece dutifully/ Depravity: LWM to SFB, 24 Feb 1817, XM. Folly: LWM to SFB, 20 Feb 1817, M3. To foster Lucrece’s/ Relishes: JM to SFB, 8 Mar 1817, Woodruff Library, Emory University. Amiable: LWM to SFB, [no day] Mar 1817, Woodruff Library, Emory University. Talents: JM to SFB, 8 Mar 1817, Woodruff Library, Emory University. Five months later/ Professor: SFB to LWM, 3 Jul 1817, M25. Sinner: LWM to SFB, 11 Jul 1817, Y. While Finley’s spiritual/ Disapproved: Joseph Delaplaine to SFB, 4 Apr 1817, M3. Finley tried invention/Pricks: Feller, 29 Research: SFB to LWM, 27 Mar 1817, Y. On “improvements” at the time see, for instance, Report of the Commissioner. Experimenting together/ Metallic: P, p. 104. Finley’s and Sidney’s/ Fortunes: SFB to his parents, 25 Aug 1817, M3. But at the same/ Intelligence: SFB to LWM, [no day] May 1817, Y. Forgiveness: SFB to Henry Bromfield, 1 May 181g, Huntington Library. Opposed: Dunlap, Diary, III, 659 In the summer/ Change: SFB to LWM, 3 Jul 1817, M25. Salvation: SFB to LWM, 17 and 10 Jul 1817, M25. Finley planned/ Clergyman: SFB to LWM, 22 Jul 1817, M25. Lucrece had affectionately/ Fickle: SFB to LWM, 13 Sep 1817, M25. To restart/ Lists: James E. B. Finley to JM, 5 Apr 1815, New-York Historical Society. Finley timed/Slave: SFB to LWM, 31 Dec 181g, M25. Torrent: SFB to LWM, 17 Feb 1818, M3. On Charleston see Fraser, 191–98. With his first/ Pouring: SFB to his parents, 7 Apr 1818, M3. Capable now/ Yields: P, p. 108. Engines: LWM to SFB, 10 Jul 1818, XM. Finley’s plentiful/ Exposed: Staiti, Samuel F.B. Morse, 54. Finley did tend/ Pointed: M3, fr. 120. During Finley’s/ Overcome: LWM to SFB, 10 Jul 1818, XM. As their separation/ Idolise: SFB to LWM, 15 Jul 1818, XM. Blessing: LWM to SFB, 18 Jul 1818, XM. Marriage also/ Fix: LWM to SFB, 17 Jul 1818, XM. Careth: SFB to LWM, 16 Jul 1818, XM. Finley and Lucrece/ Belle: SFB to RM, 21 Dec 1818, Y. The new social/ Fashion: SFB to his parents, 26 Feb 1819, M25. Academy: P, p. 118. The basis of/Discourse: Phillips, 197. Hue: EM to RM, 26 Mar 1819, Y. Finley encouraged/ Meanest: SFB to his parents, 26 Feb 1819, M25. Hydra: ELM, I, 223. But to Finley’s/ Speedily: SFB to JM, 26 Oct 181g, M3. Over the summer/ Last: ELM, I, 197. Sun: Dunlap, Diary, III, 742. Probably inspired/ Deal: Staiti, Samuel F. B. Morse, 56. The addition of/ Care: SFB to his parents, 23 Dec 181g, M3. Aspect: SFB to LWM, 8 Dec 181g, M25. Finley managed/ Graceful: [M.?] Robertson to SFB, 1 Nov 1820, M4. Finley discovered/ Divide: ELM, I, 229 Husband: LWM to SFB, 14 Jan 1820, XM. On the economic depression see, for instance, Sellers and Watts. Lucrece also reported/ Longings: SFB to LWM, 7 Jan 1820, XM. Finley’s discontent/ Moping: RM to his parents, 21 Jan 1819, Y. Quere: EM to JM, 14 Jan 1820, M3. Confidence: SFB to RM, 20 Nov 1818, Y. Enemy: RM, Day-book for 1819–22, Y. At the end/ Wish: LWM to SFB, 7 Mar 1820, XM. Only a few months/ Beings: JM to “Dr. Campbell” (copy), 26 Feb 1820, M4. Jede-diah’s appointment/ Cruel: EM to SM, 16 Jun 1820, XM. Depression: JM to “Miss Bradstreet,” 30 Apr 1820, M4. Finley tried one/ Rice: SFB to LWM, 21 Feb 1821, XM. Established: SFB to LWM, 18 Feb 1821, M4. Finley realized that/ Branches: SFB to LWM, 21 Jan 1821, XM. Perhaps simply/ Sanguine: SFB to LWM, 18 Feb 1821, M4. On the Academy see Miller, 123–24. Finley had planned/ Trial: LWM to SFB, 12 Mar 1821, XM. Short: SFB to LWM, 25 Mar 1821, M25. Still without a home/ Bed: LWM to SFB, 18 Sep 1821, XM. During his tour/ Popular: SFB to LWM, 9 Dec 1821, N. Finley began the work/ Pleased: SFB to LWM, 14 Nov 1821, N. Splendid: SFB to LWM, g Dec 1821, N. Yet the painting/ Herculean: SFB to LWM, 20 Dec 1821, N. Grace: SFB to LWM, g Dec 1821, N. Certain: SFB to LWM, 2 Dec 1821, N. Lucrece had expected/ Decide: SFB to LWM, 2 Jan 1822, M25. Absence: LWM to SFB, gJan 1822, XM. He saw encouraging/ Talents: (Quarterly Christian Spectator 4 (1822): 383. After displaying/ Beautiful: Allston, Correspondence, 206. The Boston exhibition/ Success: SFB to LWM, 21 Feb 1823, M4; 14 Feb 1823, XM. Allston urged Finley/ Classes: Washington Allston to SFB, 15 Apr 1823, M4. At the end/ Predict: SFB to LWM, 10 May 1823, Y. Under Pratt’s/ Multiplied: Henry Pratt to SFB, [5?] and 19 Jun 1823, M24. Lucrece worried/ Submit: LWM to SFB, 30 Nov 1823, XM. Merit: United States Review and Literary Gazette II, no. 4 (Jul 1827): 251. Meant: SFB to “Mr. Poinsett” (draft), [ca. Dec 1823], M5. Morse shipped the House of Representatives to Charles Leslie in England, where it was sold. It turned up twenty years later in New York, however, rolled up, dirty, and cracked. It was salvaged by Morse’s student Daniel Huntington, from whose estate it was purchased in 1911 by the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
FOUR: AN AFFECTION OF THE HEART
The failure/ Tune: P, p. 129 Business: SFB to LWM, 8 Dec 1823, M4. Wait: SFB to LWM, 6 Jan 1824, M5. Finley tried to revive/ Sculptor: SFB to LWM, 16 Aug 1823, M4. Leaving: SFB to “Mr. Poinsett” (draft), [ca. Dec 1823], M5. Finley’s latest scheme/Consent: ELM, I, 253. Health: LWM to SFB, 26 Aug 1823, XM. The first week/ Farewell: P, p. 137. A week later/ Hazard: SFB to LWM, 22 Apr 1824, M5. Finley went back/ Desert: SFB to LWM, 27 Jun 1824, Y. Whatever the cause/ Gloomy: SFB to LWM, 22 Jun 1824, M25. For a few months/ Poverty: SFB to his parents, 16 Aug 1824, M5. On New York see Burrows, 450. Unlike Finley/ Service: RM to SM, 10 Apr 1823, Y. Schemes: SM to EM, 11 Aug 1824, Y. Finley settled/ Wonder: ELM, I, 258. Storms: P, p. 138. “We must begin/ Rational: LWM to SFB, 6 Jan 1825, M25. Safely: LWM to SFB, 5 Dec 1824, Y. On the reception of Lafayette see Cunningham, Kramer, and McNamara. On first shaking/ Revolution: P, p. 140. Finley not only heard/ Nobleness: P, p. 141. Excited at being/ Sorrowful: P, p. 142. Just twenty-five/ Affection: JM to Samuel S. Breese, 2 Mar 1825, Archives of American Art. See also LWM’s obituary in N-YO, 19 Feb 1825. Finley received the agonizing/ Blow: P, pp. 144–45. And what would/ Darkest: SFB to his parents, 5 May 1825, M5. Dare: SFB to his parents, 1 Dec 1825, M5. As he tried to/ Ready: P, p. 148. Shake: SFB to his parents, 18 Apr 1826, M5. Although still uncompleted/ Pumping: SFB to his parents, 3 Nov 1825, M5. Finley’s commission/ Intensity: SFB to his parents, 5 May 1825, M5. Trumbull had liabilities/ Shoemaker: Jaffe, John Trumbull, 270. In October/ Beggars: Dunlap, History, 280. Finley was pleased/ Harmony: ELM, I, 282. See also Thayer, 58 ff. Finley seems not to/ Stately: Cummings, 22. Finley led an effort/ Ensuring: SFB, undated committee report, New-York Historical Society. Finley’s peacemaking/ I have glided over the many complexities in this matter, which also involved the payment of a stockholders’ fee by artists who were elected to the board of directors. For a fuller account see Rebora, esp. 273–80. Four days after/Assumed: Cummings, 26, 29 The members elected/ Rallying: SFB to John L. Morton, 18 Apr 1831, National Academy of Design. Freedom: SFB to Henry Pratt, 26 Mar 1833, Massachusetts Historical Society. Balance: ELM, I, 284. Shrink: SFB to his parents, 15 Jan 1826, M25. On the later development of the N.A.D. see especially Clark and Samuel F. B. Morse Educator. The idea of lecturing/ Alone: SFB, Lectures on the Affinity, 14. All the quotations in the next four paragraphs are from this volume. According to Finley/ Solely: Cummings, 35. On this and other exhibitions at the Academy see Dearinger. Probably only a day/Cares: EM to her sons, 10 May 1826, in RM’s MS life of his father, Y. Look: ELM, I, 286. Gratified: EM to her sons, 12 May 1826, in RM’s MS life of his father, Y. Imperious: SFB to his parents, 11 Jun 1826, XM; ELM, I, 286–87. At one moment/ Foretaste: RM’s MS life of his father, Y. Gloom: SFB to J. M. Mathews, 10 Jun 1826, Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Mark: SFB to Stephen Van Rensselaer, 10 Jun 1826, Historical Society of Pennsylvania. But Jedediah’s end/ Mortify: EM to JM, 26 Feb 1822, Y. Published at his own expense, Jedediah’s Report to the Secretary of War … On Indian Affairs appeared in New Haven in 1822, containing much still-valuable information on Native American life at the time. Jedediah’s will/ Motherless: Moss, 140. Throughout Finley’s life/ Sensation: Thomas Sully to SFB, 4 Mar 1828, Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Qualified: John Neagle to SFB, 15 May 1828, M5. Great: Allston, Correspondence, 231. Finley’s completed/ SFB’s explanation appears in United States Review and Literary Gazette II, no. 4 (Jul 1827): 248. The reviewer was quite certainly SFB himself. Finley’sLafayette/ Better: Neal, 44. Unskillful: Adkins, 226. Common: C. Brown, 181. P.N.A.: Cummings, 47. Without meaning to/ Pretension: Cummings, 4g, 55. Finley’s pamphlet provoked/ Eloquence: North American Review 26 (1828): 218. Finley published/ Civilization: Cummings, 64–65. One side attacked/ Principle: Cummings, 85 ff. This “Exposé/ Wretched: Cummings, 105. Finley remained calm/ Promotion: Cummings, 107. The controversy died/ Daubings: SFB to DeWitt Bloodgood, 26 Dec 1828, Historical Society of Pennsylvania. The atmosphere/ Evolvement: MS Minutes of the Sketch Club, Century Association, New York City. Finley had done/ Naked: N-YO, 3 Mar 1825. Pander: See SFB’s letter to the NY. Herald, undated but ca. 1835, M24. Freely: SFB to Lafayette (copy), [no day] Jul 1825, M5. Magic: ELM, II, 4g5. Finley also found time/ Exquisite: SFB to Sir Walter Scott, [182g?], M5. Finley thought often/ Gloves: SFB to Margaret Breese, 8 Dec 1828, University of Rochester Library. Such a moment/ Different: Catherine Pattison to SFB, 24 May 1837, M6. But Catherine’s father/ Explain: SFB to Margaret Breese, 8 Dec 1828, University of Rochester Library. Although tempted/ Account: SFB to Margaret Breese, 2 Jan 1829, University of Rochester Library. Securing a commission/ Preparing: SFB to Robert Hayne (draft), g Jan 1829, M5. As to leaving/ Accuse: SFB to EM, g Nov 1826, M5. Gratify: SFB to Elizabeth Breese, 2oJan 1827, Archives of American Art. Danger: SFB to Margaret Breese, 8 Dec 1828, University of Rochester Library. Following the deaths/ First: ELM, I, 291, 292. Graves: SFB to Margaret Breese, 8 Dec 1828, University of Rochester Library. After Elizabeth’s death/ Unusual: SFB to EM, 20 Sep 1826 and 6 May 1828, M5. Expence: SFB to EM, 11 Feb 1828, M5. The couple considered/ Commanded: Susan Pickering to SFB, 25 Sep 1828 and 7 Apr 1829, M5. Remember: Susan Morse to SFB, 7 Apr 1829, M5. Finley was not deaf/ Severely: SFB to Margaret Breese, 8 Dec 1828 and 2 Jan 1829, University of Rochester Library. Depression: SFB to DeWitt Bloodgood, 24 Aug 1830, New-York Historical Society.
FIVE: IL DIAVOLO
After a twenty-six/ Low: SFB to Margaret Breese, [Jan 1830], M5. Unless otherwise noted, all quotations in this chapter are from the diaries SFB kept while in Europe, in M32. Then, Rome/ Classic: SFB, “Sketches of France, Italy and Switzerland,” N-YO, 6 Jul 1833. On American painters in Italy see Jaffe, Italian Presence, and Stebbins. When he could/ Desired: SFB to DeWitt Bloodgood, 24 Aug 1830, NewYork Historical Society. Thorwaldsen presented/ PRESENTS: Cummings, 123. Apart from the superb/Imitates: SFB, “Sketches of France, Italy and Switzerland,” NYO, 17 Aug 1833. Like his compatriots/ Bows: P, p. 198. On American travelers in Italy see Baker. But much in Catholic/ Gorgeous: “Sketches of France, Italy and Switzerland,” N-YO, 6 Jul 1833. Such uncomfortable reminders/ Frivolity: SFB, “Sketches in France,” N-YO, 2 Mar 1833. In the time between/ The discussion of the European political situation here and throughout the chapter is based on Berkeley, Church, Droz, Langer, Pilbeam, and Rudé. Morse welcomed/ Contention: SFB to G. L. Verplanck, 2 Jan 1832, New-York Historical Society. Morse admired Gree-nough/ Excellence: SFB to John L. Morton, 18 Apr 1831, National Academy of Design. Depravity: Horatio Greenough to SFB, 23 Apr 1832, M5. Ballast: ELM, I, 413–14. Primed: N. Wright, Horatio Greenough, 81. During his year in Paris/ Slaves: Horatio Greenough to SFB, 24 Aug 1834, M6. Ding: Horatio Greenough to SFB, 23 Apr 1832, M5. On Paris see Cooper (Gleanings), Pinkney, and Levenstein. Members of the American/ Fellow-citizen: M6, fr. 138; see also unidentified newspaper clipping reprinted from the Daily Advertiser, Leila Morse scrapbooks, Columbia University Library. Practically every evening/ Unconciliating: Waples, 122, 133, 134. Morse admired Cooper/ Taunt: SFB to Margaret Breese, 8 Dec 1828, University of Rochester Library. Cherished: SFB to Benjamin Silliman, 12 Jul 1832, Silliman Papers, Yale University Library. For his part/ Fellow: Cooper, Letters and Journals, III, 239 Captivate: Cooper, Letters and Journals, III, 375. Nevertheless, the rumor/ Dignity: SFB to DeWitt Bloodgood, 24 Aug 1830, New-York Historical Society. Conscience: ELM, I, 413. Through Cooper and Lafayette/ Price: ELM, I, 405. Influence: ELM, I, 406. On Louis-Philippe see Howarth. Cooper thought otherwise/ Mummery: Cooper, Letters and Journals, III, 79 Volcano: Cooper, Letters and Journals, III, 240. Parisians protested/ Dashed: P, p. 227. Morse became an active/ Cavalier: P, p. 229 See also Kramer, 253–73. Morse also wrote/ Outcasts: Badger’s Weekly Messenger, 2 g Feb 1832. The museum’s mammoth/ Mist: SFB to Margaret Breese, 25 Dec 1829, University of Rochester Library. Numerous: Staiti, Samuel F. B. Morse, 244. Morse painted/Yellow: Cooper, Letters and Journals, II, 163, 238. Pains: P, p. 715. Sometime around the new/ Closest: P, p. 228. Interested: SFB to James Fenimore Cooper (typed transcript), 6 Sep 1832, M6. Danger: Staiti, “God, Family, and Art,” 14. Morse considered his Grand Gallery/ Correct: SFB to his brothers, 18 Jul 1832, M6. Sensation: Cooper, Letters and Journals, III, 172. Morse planned to complete/ Intimacy: James Fenimore Cooper to SFB, 21 Sep 1832, Morristown National Historical Park. On the completed painting see Tatham. As he got ready/ Boiling: SFB to [his brothers?], undated fragment ca. Apr 1830, M26. Sword: SFB, “Sketches of France, Italy and Switzerland,” N-YO, 2 Mar 1833. Morse also appreciated/ Persuasion: SFB to the Marquis de Lafayette, 5 Mar 1833, American Antiquarian Society. Morse had also come/ Patriots: SFB to G. L. Verplanck, 2 Jan 1832, New-York Historical Society. Many Americans who had not been abroad of course shared Morse’s view. But three months/Never: SFB to the Marquis de Lafayette, 26 Jan 1833, American Antiquarian Society. When he left America/ Tormented: SFB to DeWitt Bloodgood, 24 Aug 1830, New-York Historical Society. Dribbled: N. Wright, Letters, 125. Where was his/ Stake: P, p. 288. Hang: N. Wright, Letters, 144. But hanging on/ Wasted: SFB to G. L. Verplanck, 2 Jan 1832, New-York Historical Society.
SIX: ANOMALOUS, NONDESCRIPT, HERMAPHRODITE
Morse’s return to New/ On New York University see T. Jones, Frusciano and Pettit, and SFB documents at NYU Archives, Bobst Library, New York University. Shortly after resuming/ Absurd: SFB to John L. Morton, 19 Oct 1830, National Academy of Design. In January 1833/ Violation: see Rebora, 309–17. Morse spent two/ Incubus: SFB to Henry Pratt, 26 Mar 1833, Massachusetts Historical Society. Returning to his easel/ Italy: Jaffe, Italian Presence, 196–g7. Imitation: SFB, Lectures on the Affinity, 59 Imagination: Hone, I, g2–g3. However Morse’s European/ Feeling: SFB to James Fenimore Cooper, 21 Feb 1833, M6. Principles: SFB to Henry Pratt, 26 Mar 1833, Massachusetts Historical Society. Herculean: Staiti, Samuel F. B. Morse, tgg. Despite his professorship/ Mental: SFB to DeWitt Bloodgood, 2g Dec 1833, Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Fits: SFB to James Fenimore Cooper (typed transcript), 21 Feb 1833, M6. He decided not/ Beggar: SFB to DeWitt Bloodgood, 2g Dec 1833, Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Perhaps to begin/ Property: George Clarke to SFB, g Aug 1834, M6. Morse’s domestic situation/ Unnatural: RM to SM, 19 Jul 1854, Y. The bequests provided $4500 for each child. Morse visited Susan/ Surprise: Susan Morse to SFB, 13 Oct 1834, M6. Haste: SFB to Susan Morse, 26 Sep 1836, M6. Morse still felt/ Wounds: SFB to P. Van Rensselaer (copy), 20 Jun 1835, M6. Forbidden: SFB to “Dear friend Mary,” 28 Apr 1837, M6. Fawn: SFB to Catherine Pattison, 22 Oct 1836, M6. Destiny: Catherine Pattison to SFB, 24 May 1837, M6. Morse found a more/ Laughed: Cooper, Letters and Journals, III, 228–29 Morse’s experience/ Invaded: Commercial Advertiser, 27 Apr 1833. Morse tried to show/ Antidote: SFB, unsigned article in Journal of’ Commerce, 14 Jan 1836. Morse’s encounter/ Communicants: N-YO, 2g Jun 1833. On anti-Catholicism see Billington. Morse deplored/ Outrage: SFB, Foreign Conspiracy against the Liberties of the United States (1835), 182–83. The Pope, Morse/ Superadded: SFB, Imminent Dangers to the Free Institutions of the United States (1835), 10. On the Leopold Foundation see Blied. At stake for America/ Support: Snyder, 382. Morse’s Foreign/Unconsciously: SFB to A. S. Willington (draft), 13 Apr 1835, M6. Persuasion: SFB to J. R. Poinsett, 2 Jun 1835, Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Morse soon began/ Document: SFB, The Proscribed German Student (1836), 19. Some of Clausing’s fellow/ On the Clausing war see 1836–37 items from the New Era and Brooklyn Advocate in SFB scrapbook, WU. A sort of male/ Overflows: M34, fr. 684 (MS version of the Confessions). America, in Morse’s/ Filthy: SFB, Foreign Conspiracy, 178. The discussion of immigration and nativism draws on Hershkowitz, Leonard, Pessen, and Scisco. Morse’s visceral/ Stomach: Strong, g4. Ocean: Hone, I, 209 Among the national/ Firebrand: SFB to the Marquis de Lafayette, 6 Aug 1833, Cornell University Library. On Garrison and O’Connell see Mayer, 161. Although the nativist groups professed to oppose all foreign influence, they singled out Irish Catholics especially, who in the 1830s made up about a third of all immigrants. See Knobel. In addition to his influential/ Insolence: SFB scrapbook, p. 23, WU. Ignorant: N-YO, 27 Dec 1834. In the spring of 1836/ Sacrifice: Mabee, 170. Morse quickly got/ Designing: Mabee, 171. Morse’s explanation/ Fellow: Cooper, Letters and Journals, III, 220. The beating Morse/ Outrage: unidentified newspaper clipping, 11 Mar 1837, SFB scrapbook, WU. Morse’s shift/ Fix: Cooper, Letters and Journals, V, 213. Powers: Allston, 364. Embody: Gree-nough, 179 But in addition/ Dagger: Allston, 428. On the later development of history painting see Burnham and Giese. But however behind/Devoted: SFB to Senator Samuel Southard, 7 Mar 1834, Princeton University Library. But the signs/ Eminence: Cooper, Letters and Journals, III, 81. On the rotunda paintings see also Fryd, 42–61. For Morse, the decision/ Progress: Journal of Commerce, 21 Feb 1837. But Morse felt humiliated/ Offence: SFB to Washington Allston (draft), 21 Mar 1837, M6. On Adams’ dislike of JM see SFB to Senator Dix (draft), 7 Dec 1846, M10. Rejected beyond hope/ Key Stone: Thomas Cole to SFB, 14 Mar 1837, M6. But Morse felt battered/ Ill: Cooper, Letters and Journals, III, 259. Authorization: M33, fr. 638. See also clipping headed “Weary of Life,” Vail scrapbook, V. Morse’s near-collapse/ Noble: SFB to Washington Allston (draft), 21 Mar 1837, M6. See also Cummings, 144 ff. His depression lifting/ Constitution: see document of 17 Mar 1837, M6.
SEVEN: HIGH ATTRIBUTE OF UBIQUITY
In operation, then/ The account of SFB’s 1837 telegraph is based on many different sources, but chiefly the draft of the caveat he prepared in Oct 1837. See M6, fr. 373 ff. However crude/ Alluded: Journal of Commerce, 27 Apr 1837. Whatever dismay Morse/ Graphy: M33, fr. 366. On the Chappe system see Holzmann and Pehrson., ch. 2. Telegraph: Marland, 19. Morse soon learned/ Notice: Journal of Commerce, 28 Aug 1837. Morse clipped/ Grandest: Poughkeepsie Journal, 13 Sep 1837. Other clippings appear in M33, fr. 369. Such reports described/ Relative: SFB to Catherine Pattison, 27 Aug 1837, M6. Morse set to work/ Excitement: SFB to Catherine Pattison, 27 Aug 1837, M6. To confirm his suspicions/ The information and quotations in this and the next four paragraphs come from SFB’s correspondence of Sep 1837 in M14, fr. 248 ff. Some at least of Morse’s account/ SFB’s original sketchbook was consumed in a fire at the Supreme Court building in Washington. A certified copy of the sketchbook had been made before the fire, but apparently no longer exists. A certified copy of this certified copy, made in 184g, survives at the Electricity Division of the National Museum of American History, Washington. Some of Morse’s colleagues/ Grieved: P, p. 724. On the testimony of other witnesses to SFB’s early experiments see his Modern Telegraphy (1867) and the statement of Robert Dodge, g Jan 1851, M1 4. To further secure/ Conceived: Journal of Commerce, 27 Aug 1837. Successful: Journal of Commerce, 7 Sep 1837. Suspecting that foreigners/ Mutual: Charles Jackson to SFB, 10 Sep 1837, M14. On Jackson see Bruce, 37–38. “I lose no time/ Disabuse: SFB to Charles Jackson (copy), 18 Sep 1837, M14. “I have always entertained/ Opinion: Charles Jackson to SFB, 7 Nov 1837, M14. Too enraged to bother/ Claimants: SFB to Joshua Fisher (copy), 4 Nov 1837, M14. Morse asked Rives/ Manner: SFB to William Pell, 2g Jan 1838, M14. Novelty: William Rives to SFB, 1 Mar 1838, M14. Originator: William Pell to SFB, 1 Feb 1838, M14. In sum, Morse/ Hint: SFB to Charles Jackson, 7 Dec 1837, M14. On what Morse may have learned from Jackson see Hochfelder, “Taming the Lightning,” 63–66. The question of whether SFB sent Jackson a copy of the circular requires too elaborate demonstration to try to resolve here. But it may be added that on a copy of the circular he retained, SFB noted that he believed he sent a circular to Jackson, but was not certain he did so. See the circular of 28 Aug 1837, M14. If nothing else/Condition: ELM, II, 77. Intelligence: see SFB’s draft of the caveat, M6, fr. 373 ff. Gale knew how/ Surprise: See Gale’s MS “Historical facts concerning Morse’s Electro Mag. Telegraph” [1872], NYU Archives, Bobst Library, New York University. The archives house additional material on Gale. With the powerful/ Proposed: Journal of Commerce, 4 Sep 1837. On Daubeny see Smith. Morse described in detail/ Indebted: New American State Papers, 44–45. Vail had been present/ Delicate: SFB, Modern Telegraphy (1867), 31–33, and Appendix, 17–18. This so-called relay/ Creative: Prof. David Hochfelder, in a version he sent me of ch. 2 of his “Taming the Lightning.” Morse’s description/ Disided: AV, untitled essay in his “Miscellaneous Telegraphy Papers,” V. On the depression see Geisst, 26, and Remini, 427. Morse and Vail signed/ Proper: copy of contract dated 23 Sep 1837, V-NYHS. On Vail generally see William Baxter, “Real Birth of the Electric Telegraph,” MS, New-York Historical Society; Cavanaugh et al.; V; Vail Papers, New Jersey Historical Society, Newark; and Vail material at the NYU Archives. At the same time/ Tedious: SFB to AV, 14 Oct and 11 Nov 1837, V-NYHS. Fullest: SFB to AV, 11 Oct 1837, V A sample page of the dictionary survives in M6, fr. 404. Morse had once before visited/ Facility: William Baxter, “Real Birth of the Electric Telegraph,” MS, New-York Historical Society. Returned to Speedwell/ Waiter: See Cavanaugh et al. Success: ELM, II, 73. Accounts of the demonstrations conflict. In one place SFB says he used about three miles of wire. SFB to William Vail, 31 Jan 1863, M29. Two weeks later/Witness: M34, fr. 454. ATTENTION: P, p. 331. Morse demonstrated both/ Systems: Report of the Franklin Institute (copy), 8 Feb 1838, M6. Alphabet: AV to Stephen Vail, 7 Feb 1838, V-NYHS. This seems to me a crucial letter in the controversy over the origin of the Morse code. Arriving at the capital/ Unwilling: AV to Stephen Vail, 7 Feb 1838, V-NYHS. Unknown to Vail himself, the bills were actually being paid by his brother George. Their father, Stephen Vail, apparently took a dislike to Morse and withdrew his support. A week at Gadsby’s/ Indisposed: AV to Stephen Vail, 7 Feb 1838, V-NYHS. See also AV to George Vail, 22 Jan 1837and 2oFeb 1838, V-NYHS. Morse’s Washington demonstrations/ Enemy: AV to George Vail, 20 Feb 1838, V-NYHS. But to Morse’s delight/ Scouted: SFB to George Vail, 21 Feb 1838, V. Jefferson: AV to Stephen Vail, 17 Feb 1838, V-NYHS. Looking further ahead/ Enterprising: New American State Papers, 60. See also John, “Private Enterprise.” My thanks to Prof. John for allowing me to read his paper before publication. The Committee on Commerce/ UBIQUITY: New American State Papers, 53. Commissioner Ellsworth/ Slavish: SFB to FOJS (copy), 14 Apr 1838, S. On Smith see especially Gaffney and Shop-taugh. In March, Morse/ see the Articles of Agreement, [no day] Mar 1838, M6. Morse also gathered/ Honor: SFB to Hugh Legare, 14 Apr 1838, S. Arduous: ELM, II, 89 Morse sent the subscribers/ Suspense: SFB to Thomas Cummings, 15 Mar 1838, M6; Cummings, 144–46. Morse’s brother Richard/ Nerves: RM to his wife, 2 Jul 1838, Y. As he embarked/ Risking: SFB to AV, 20 Mar 1838, V-NYHS. Tide: P, p. 345.
EIGHT: TRAVELING ON A SNAIL’S BACK
Seeking a British/ Duped: SFB to [SM?], 3 Jul 1838, Y. Account of SFB’s patent application based on his MS “History of proceedings in England to procure a Patent for my Telegraph,” Y. On the basis/ National: P, p. 359. During his first interview/ Account of SFB’s meetings with Wheatstone based on his MS “History of proceedings.” On Wheatstone generally see Bowers. During his seven weeks/ Imitation: P, pp. 358–59. See also Beauchamp, 33. Morse developed a cordial relationship with Steinheil, whose early telegraphs closely resembled his own but who conceded to him the priority. Morse quickly obtained/ Monopoly: SFB to FOJS, 13 Feb 183g, S. Message: SFB to RM, 20 Aug 1838, Y On the telegraph in France, with superb photos of European apparatus, see Carré. It turned out to be/ Baby: P, p. 360. The Academy met/ Account of SFB’s demonstration at the Académie based on P, pp. 363–65. On Arago and on the state of electrical science in France see Butrica, Crosland, and Fox. Full accounts/ Savant: M33, fr. 357. Some of the journalists/ Constructor: Courier Français, 13 Sep 1838. Morse enjoyed the publicity/ Superior: SFB to SM, 1 Oct 1838, V. Manifest: see Journal of Commerce, 6 Nov 1838. The acclaim brought/ Best: SFB to FOJS (copy), g Oct 1838, S. Having gained influential/ Portfolios: SFB to FOJS, 7 Jan 183g, S. Raptures: SFB to FOJS, 22 Nov 1838, S. The problem, Morse/ Organ: P, p. 374. There were other/ Associations: SFB to FOJS, 14 Nov 1838, S. The directors of/ Patience: SFB to FOJS, 13 Oct 1838, S. Dilatory: SFB to FOJS, 22 Nov 1838, S. Morse also tried/ Wagons: ELM, II, 133–34. Despite his many/ Gentlemen: SFB to Baron Rothschild (draft), 28 Aug 1838, M6. On Chamberlain see MS “Memorandum of an agreement,” 20 Sep 1838, Vermont Historical Society. Morse had intended/ Dejection: RM to SFB, 24 Aug 1838, Y. Agreeable: RM journal for 1838, Y Morse now saw Smith/ Suggests: SFB to FOJS, 2 Feb 183g, S. Perpetual: SFB to RM, 13 Oct 1838, Y. Command: SFB to FOJS, 14 Nov 1838, S. Funds: SFB to FOJS (copy), 7 Jan 183g, S. The stalled funds/ Nothing: SFB to RM, 20 Aug 1838, Y. Blues: SFB to James Fenimore Cooper, 21 Feb 1833, M6. Confidence: SFB to FOJS, 21 Jan 183g, S. The black moods/ Orphans: ELM, II, 115–16. Morse had cause/ Presents: Susan Morse to SFB, 19 Dec 1838, M6. Exactly: Susan Morse to SFB, 13 Dec 1838, New-York Historical Society. Morse usually offered/ Wound: P, p. 361. Snug: SFB to Susan Morse, 11 Nov 1838, M6. Long: Susan Morse to SFB, 31 Dec 1838, M6. However insensitive/ Unfit: SFB to SM, 6 Jan 1838, M6. Farmer: RM to SM, 31 Dec 1838, Y. Sidney planned/ Wanderers: Susan Morse to SFB, 8 Dec 1838, M6. With the New/ Snail’s: SFB to FOJS (copy), 7 Jan 183g, S. Morse got some further/ Fame: see SFB to FOJS (copy), 28 Jan 183g, S. Chamberlain apparently also demonstrated SFB’s telegraph at the Royal Museum of Physics in Florence. But Morse was beginning/ Go-ahead: SFB to FOJS (copy), 28 Jan 183g, S. Supplant: SFB to FOJS, 13 Feb 183g, S. This depended, however/ Pretended: see N-YO, 2 Feb 1839 Deserve: SFB to Charles Jackson, 13 Feb 183g, M6. Far from retracting/ Pained: Mil, fr. 307–308. In reopening/ Tide: P, p. 389 Advertisements: SFB to FOJS, 13 Feb 183g, S. Toward the end of/ Author: SFB to FOJS, 21 Jan 183g, S. Meyendorff’s Czar/ Liberal: SFB, memo of interview with Baron Meyendorff, g Mar 183g, M7. Morse immediately booked/ Energies: SFB to FOJS, 22 Feb 183g, S. Daguerre’s invention competed/ Wonders: SFB to FOJS (copy), 2 Feb and 2 Mar 183g, S. On Daguerre see Gernsheim and Gernsheim. Morse was startled/ Delineation: P, pp. 400–402. Probably a few days/ Delay: ELM, II, 126. Morse was reluctant/ On the events that follow see SFB’s MS “History of proceedings in England to procure a Patent for my Telegraph,” Y NINE:S “History of proceedings in England to procure a Patent for my Telegraph,” Y NINE: “History of proceedings in England to procure a Patent for my Telegraph,” Y NINE::FB’s MS “History of proceedings in England to procure a Patent for my Telegraph,” Y NINE:S “History of proceedings in England to procure a Patent for my Telegraph,” Y NINE: “History of proceedings in England to procure a Patent for my Telegraph,” Y NINE::B’s MS “History of proceedings in England to procure a Patent for my Telegraph,” Y NINE:S “History of proceedings in England to procure a Patent for my Telegraph,” Y NINE: “History of proceedings in England to procure a Patent for my Telegraph,”
NINE::: BEWARE OF TRICKS
Having been gone/ Nominal: ELM, II, 114. Farthing: SFB to FOJS, 16 Apr 183g, S. Morse wrote Henry/ Obviate: Joseph Henry to SFB, 6 May 183g, M7. On Henry see Coulson and Moyer. Morse expected to hear/ Czar: P, p. 400. While streamlining/Suspense: SFB to Baron Meyendorff (draft), 31 Jul 183g, M7. The news finally/ Rejected: C. B. Amyot to SFB (copy), 11 Jun 183g, M18. Nothing: SFB to George Vail, 20 Aug 183g, V. Morse decided to/ Wisdom: SFB to AV, 4 Nov 183g, V-NYHS. Morse had kept/ Remarkable: see the various early texts on the Web site of The Daguerrian Society, <www.daguerre.org>. Defense: P, p. 407. Morse set to work/ Beat: Wood, 111. On the various claims of priority see 1871 letter from SFB in Philadelphia Photographer g, no. g7 (Jan 1872): 3–4; SFB to Fuller Walker, 14 Aug 1871, M31; Welling, 8 ff. At first Morse used/ Indifferent: Gernsheim and Gern-sheim, 129 On Daguerre’s procedures see Foresta and Wood. During January and February/ See SFB, “Memoranda of Daguerreotype,” M33. Morse was joined/ Accordance: P, p. 404. On Draper see Fleming. Morse and Draper/ Likenesses: N-YO, 18 Apr 1840; cf. Gouraud in Boston Daily Advertiser and Patriot, 26 Mar 1840. Open: Philadelphia Photographerg, no. g7 (Jan 1872): 3–4. See also SFB to Edward L. Wilson, 18 Nov 1871, M31. Whoever did what/ Valuable: Welling, 21. How long Morse/ Sanguine: SM to RM, 2g Jan 1841, Y. Outdoor: SFB to W W Horsford, 20 Nov 1840, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In this letter SFB describes his lenses as “2 large achromatic 4 inches diameter, a plano convex, a double convex each 4 inches and a large double convex, 6 inches in diameter.” Morse worked hard/ Tied: P, pp. 425–26. Introducer: Mathew Brady to SFB, 15 Feb 1855, M17. Like all of Morse’s/ Daub: New-Yorker, 14 Dec 183g, 205. Ghost: Welling, 8. Morse disputed such/ See Root, 3go–g2. No honor, however/ On the SFB-Gouraud blowup recounted in this and the next four paragraphs see New York Evening Star, 2hj–2gFeb 1840; New York American, 24 Jun 1840; Journal of’Commerce, 2 and 8 Jul 1840; Abel Rendu to [unidentified attaché], 22 Jul 1840, M7; SFB to Abel Rendu, 27 Oct 1840, M7; SFB to Nathan Hale, [ca. Oct 1840], M7; and newspaper clippings in the Morse scrapbook, WU, 50 ff. Morse happened to meet/ Cautious: SFB to SM, 26Jun 1841, NEWYORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY. GOVERNOR WILLIAM/ CONCERTED: NYO, 7 Nov 1840, 27 Feb 1841. On the school funding conflict see Billington, 142–65; Leonard, “New York City,” 1–75, i2g–42; Scisco, 32–38. To Morse’s relief/ Recorded: SFB, Our Liberties Defended (1841), vii. Morbid: see document of Oct 1840, M7. The political dirty/Principles: NY. Sun, íoApr 1841. But the Whig/Diversion: Commercial Advertiser, 12 Apr 1841. Humbug: Tribune, 13 Apr 1841. In the space/ Withdraw: Commercial Advertiser, 13 Apr 1841. The flimflam/ Tricks: SFB, memo on 12 Apr 1841, M7. But the Catholic/ Perversion: Leonard, “New York City,” 108. Slaves: NYO, 11 Dec 1841. Denounced: NYO, 31 Jul 1841. The most notorious/ Cunning: Whitman, 43. For Morse and for/ Mask: NYO, 6 Nov 1841. Two days after/ Juggling: Commercial Advertiser, 2 Nov 1841. Morse continued to/ Citadel: NYO, 16 Apr 1842. Now fifty years/ Prime: ELM, II, 159 Visits: SFB to Catherine Pattison (draft), 3 Apr 1841, M7. Healed: SFB to Alphonse Foy (draft), 25 Feb 183g, M6. The shock of/ Burnt: SFB to Catherine Breese, 14 Aug 1841, University of Rochester Library. Attitude: SFB to Catherine Pattison (draft), 28 Apr 1840, M7. Uncertain how to/ Effort: SFB to Catherine Breese, 30 Sep 1841, University of Rochester Library. Tickle: Mrs. A. C. Stevens to Sidney Breese, 12 Dec 1841, University of Rochester Library. Blue: SFB to Catherine and Helen Breese, 10 Feb 1842, Phillips Academy. The Breese family/ Expend: Staiti, “God, Family, and Art,” 1842, 14–15. Kindness: SFB to T. D. Woolsey, 2g Sep and 15 Oct 1842, Yale University Library. Wish: Charles Morse to SFB, 28 Nov 1842, M7. Susan shuffled/ Cheering: Susan Morse to SFB, 18 Jun 1841, M7. Without meaning to/ Abiding: Susan Morse to SFB, 18 Jun 1841, M7. Dream: SFB to Catherine Breese, 30 May 1842, Historic Northampton. Having not painted/ Neglect: ELM, II, 160. Precious: SFB to Edward Salisbury, 24 Feb 1841, M7. Morse apparently had/ Inquire: Mirror, 16 Oct 1841. Wisely, Morse/ Design: circular of 30 Nov 1841, M7. A serious rival/ Revenue: Cummings, 165. On the Art-Union see Cowdrey et al. Morse remained proud/ Centre: SFB to William H. Seward (draft), 2oJun 1842, M7. Morse learned that/Merit: P, p. 415. Stung and worried/ Secure: SFB to FOJS (copy), 23 Mar 1840, S. Deprive: P, p. 427. Not only the English/ Gigantic: Senate document #136, 30 Jan 1841, 26th Cong. 2d Session. It was in part/ Cheat: SFB to FOJS, 3 Dec 1841, S. For a commission/ Houses: Isaac Coffin to SFB, 24 Jun 1841, M7. After two years of stagnation/ Nibbles: SFB to AV, 16 Oct 1841, V-NYHS. Defraud: SFB to FOJS, 16 Aug 1841, S. Taking advantage of/ Waste: SFB to FOJS, 3 Dec 1841, S. Smith, an experienced/ Risk: Isaac Coffin to SFB, 10 Dec 1841, M7. Death: Isaac Coffin to SFB, 30 Nov 1841, M7. After months of/ Winds: SFB to FOJS, 3 Dec 1841, S. Postage: SFB to FOJS, 3 Dec 1841, in Argument of Francis O. J. Smith … upon the Claim preferred by him against Prof Samuel F. B. Morse (1860), 33. Era: SFB to FOJS, 19 Sep 1842, S. Morse decided to start/ Views: Henry, Papers, V, 141. Success: Moyer, 23. Morse wrote the same/ Expediency: Memorial, 77. Excite: W. W. Boardman to SFB, 7 Jan 1842, M7. To create a stir/ Early: SFB to Catherine and Helen Breese, 10 Feb 1842, Phillips Academy. Powerful: P, p. 438. Morse exhibited/ Wonderful: Tribune, g Aug 1842. Ingenuity: M33, fr. 367. The Institute/ Great: Herald, 12 Oct 1842. In October, Morse/ Bang: Herald, 1 g Oct 1842. On Colt see Lundeberg. Morse’s public demonstration/ Destined: ELM, II, 183. Morse’s new campaign/Well: SFB to FOJS, i6Jul 1842, S. SYMPATHY: SFB TO FOJS, 19 SEP 1842, S. Suspense: P, p. 434. The worst of it/ Stricken: AV to SFB, 28 Feb 1843, M7; P, p. 444. Engaged: SFB to FOJS, 19 Sep 1842, S. Morse journeyed to/ Power: AV to SFB, 28 Feb 1843, M7. Morse believed that/ Speculation: reprinted in N-YO, 24 Dec 1842. On December 30/ Superior: New American State Papers, 65–66. Morse took a deep/ Sentiment: ELM, II, 185.
TEN: HURRAH BOYS WHIP UP THE MULES
January and February/ Trying: SFB to SM, 27 Jan 1843, M7. Define: ELM, II, 190. Morse tried to talk/ Extreme: ELM, II, 191–92. The suspense eased/ Mesmeric: ELM, II, 194–g5. Two days later/ Period: SFB to FOJS (copy), 23 Feb 1843, S. On March 3/ Deo: SFB to SM, 3 Mar 1843, British Library. Morse wrote up/ Million: American Journal of Science 45 (Oct 1843): 3g3. Morus, “Telegraphy and the Technology,” remarks that the experiments were neither original nor unusual, being distinguished only by their scale. In reporting his/ Realised: SFB to John C. Spencer (copy), 10 Aug 1843, LHL. While the insulated/ Foot: SFB to John Spencer (copy), 2g Aug 1843, LHL. Yankee: SFB to FOJS (copy), 1 Sep 1843, LHL. The trenching got under way/ See EC to S. I. Prime, 28 Apr 1873, M23. On EC generally see Dorf. Existing documents/ Cold: SFB to James Fisher (copy), 2 Dec 1843, M8. Sometime in early/Ascertain: reprinted in N-YO, 23 Dec 1843. During the time-out/ Discourage: ELM, II, 211. Discouragement was not/ Hearing: James Fisher to SFB, 1 Jan 1844, M8. Whistle: James Fisher to SFB, 22 Dec 1843, M8. Though fond of/ SFB to James Fisher (draft), 2g Dec 1843, M8. In the draft SFB has crossed out the comment about opinion in Washington, and may not have included it. Trifle: FB has crossed out the comment about opinion in Washington, and may not have included it. Trifle: B has crossed out the comment about opinion in Washington, and may not have included it. Trifle: James Fisher to SFB, 19 May 1845, M10. At the same time/ Liar: Gaffney, 146. Morse discovered/ Fair: ELM, II, 212. Morse’s scrupulous sense/ Dearer: SFB to FOJS, 21 Dec 1843, S. Scrutiny: FOJS to SFB, 21 Dec 1843, S; FOJS to EC, 20 Mar 1844, S. Much of Smith’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering over the Bartlett contract is obscure, probably because he took care to cover his tracks. Morse had been inclined/ Regard: SFB to FOJS, 30 Dec 1843, S. Morse declined/ Cluster: SFB to SM, 16 Dec 1843, XM. Pursues: ELM, II, 213. Vail roomed near/ Wonder: AV to Jane Vail, g Jan 1844, V Cornell too read/ Pay: EC to Mary Ann Cornell, 18 Aug 1844, C. During the break/ Error: FOJS to EC, 7 Apr 1844, C. Smith also took sides/ Current: see Leonard Gale to SFB, 1 Jun 1844, M8. Worthless: FOJS to EC, 17 Mar 1844, S. Morse still hoped/ Heartless: Gaffney, 488. In the original, “villains” appears as “villians.” Exposure: FOJS to SFB, 3 Mar 1844, S. Superseded: AV Journal, 12 Jan 1844, V Morse replied to/ Sensitive: ELM, II, 217. Morse also understood/ Sanguine: reprinted in N-YO, 6 Jan 1844. Proceeding this time/ No glass plates are mentioned, however, in Henry Rogers’ description of the “very defective” insulation. See his unpublished history of the telegraph, Henry J. Rogers Papers, Smithsonian Institution. Each day, as/ Nitric: SFB, memo of 27 Apr 1844, M8. Tiptoe: AV to Jane Vail, 11 Apr 1844, V As the line neared/ Rapidity: SFB to D. Ayerigg (draft), [8?] May 1844, M8. Language: SFB to AV, 2g May 1844, V As public curiosity/ Wind: AV to Jane Vail, 28 Apr 1844, V-NYHS. Hallucination: SFB to FOJS, 17 May 1844, M8. Boar: ELM, II, 2 19. Unfortunately, no graphic/ See SFB to Catherine Livingstone Morse, [no day] Apr 1844, M25; SFB to SM, 24 May 1844, M25. Morse generated/ Begged: AV to SFB (copy), 3 Jun 1844, M8. Watch: Herald, 28 May 1844. Those seeking/ Transcripts in V, 19 May 1844. In the original, the identifying letters “M” and “V” appear at the end of the telegraphed sentences. Morse created/ Speed: National Register, 1 Jun 1844. Vail intercepted news/ Riots: Vail Telegraph Journals, 8 Jun 1844, V Gazing: EC to Mary Ann Cornell, 1 o Jun 1844, C. In June, Morse/ Mother: N-YO, 21 Dec 1844. Ease: New American State Papers, 88. Morse had suggested/ Accurately: Charles Wilkes to SFB, 13 Jun 1844, M9 See also Stephens. Into the late/ Sport: AV to George Vail, 14 Oct 1844, V In proving the/ Substance: Daily Times, 14 Sep 1852. Hebrew: Cyrus Mendenhall to Charles Mendenhall, 4 Nov 1872, Cincinnati Historical Society. Bafflement was/ Supernatural: M33, fr. 550. Confused: National Police Gazette, 30 May 1846. Chained: M33, fr. 550. Climax: M33, fr. 4g7. Several quotations in the last two sections of this chapter are culled from SFB’s scrapbook of newspaper clippings in M33. In cases where he does not give the source of the clipping, I have identified the quotation by frame number alone, as I occasionally do elsewhere in the documentation. On the ideology of communication see Mattelart, Nye, and Peters. Just as bafflingly/ Less: M33, fr. 527. Incomparably: Report of the Commissioner, 4g3. Species: M33, fr. 382. Here: North American, 15 Jan 1846. But Morse’s “magic/ Doubt: New American State Papers, 115. Nerve: M33, fr. 552. In forecasting/ Revolution: Sun, 3 Nov 1847. In this spirit/ Fly: M33, fr. 551, 515. Blessing: North American, 15 Jan 1846. Blended: National Telegraph Review, Jul 1853, 107. Sensorium: Christian Observor, 2oMar 1846. Future: Herald, 23 Mar 1846. On the blurring of boundaries between the nervous system and electrical communication see Hochfelder, “Electrical Communication.” In its more practical/ Events: North American, 15 Jan 1846. Strength: Philadelphia Dollar Newspaper, 17 Jun 1846. Task: National Police Gazette, 30 May 1846. Whatever their particular/ Climax: Washington Union, 1 May 1845. Modern: N-YO, 12 Oct 1844. Effort: De Bow’s Review 1 (1846): 136. To its enthusiasts/ Steam: M33, fr. 625. Improved: Thoreau, Walden (1854; New York, 1992). In the “Lightning/ Tablet: M33, fr. 382. The coupling of SFB and Franklin became commonplace. Temple: A. B. Quinby to SFB, 23 May 1846, M10. Eminent: M33, fr. 354. Forcible: Home Journal, 4 Feb 1848. Invitations, honors/ Sober: S. W. Chubbuck to SFB, 1 Jul 1844, M9 Morse had always/ Praises: ELM, II, 234. Scarcely if at all/ Opposed: ELM, II, 224. The belief that technology emanated from the Deity and served religion was widespread. “Inventors are Apostles of Nature, or rather of the Author of Nature,” as the Tribuneput it, “for the Sciences and Arts are Divine revelations.” M33, fr. 518. Not only failure/ Christ: ELM, II, 234.
ELEVEN: MERE MEN OF TRADE
As one possible/ Business: ELM, II, 236. Morse also weighed/ Monopoly: Union, 1 May 1845. Knaves: Mirror, 15 Dec 1846. With a half-dozen/ Plans: AV to George Vail, 15 Aug 1844, V-NYHS. Inch: FOJS to EC, 1 g Feb 1845, C. Not that letters/ Satisfied: SFB to FOJS, 20 Dec 1844, M9 Their angriest/ Determined: ELM, II, 219 Morse may have/ Mousing: FOJS to SFB, íoJun 1844, S. Sick: SFB to AV (copy), 11 Jun 1844, M9 Hatred: EC to Mary Ann Cornell, íoJun 1844, C. Smith had other/Absurd: SFB, “Copy of Propositions to FOJS,” 5 Jun 1844, M8; Mg, fr. 471 ff. Accede: SFB to FOJS (draft), 6 Dec 1844, M9 Morse’s efforts/ Family: AV Journal, 17 Aug 1844, V. Morse’s handling/ Millions: AV to SFB, 3 Jun 1844, M8. Cunning: AV to George Vail, 15 Aug 1844, V-NYHS. Advantage: AV to George Vail, 10 Jul 1844, V-NYHS. Cheat: AV to George Vail, 1 Sep 1844, V-NYHS. Vail probably/ Friend: George Vail to AV, 7 Jul 1844, V-NYHS. Staying in Washington/ See AV to Stephen Vail, 25 Dec 1844, V-NYHS. On Page see Post. Morse’s experiments/ Sound: N-YO, 31 Aug 1844. Hoped: see N-YO, 14 Sep 1844. Morse and his assistants/ See Rogers’ unpublished history of the telegraph, Henry J. Rogers Papers, Smithsonian Institution. As usual, Vail/ Unfit: AV to Stephen Vail, 31 Jan 1848, V-NYHS. Credit: AV to George Vail, 20 Aug 1844, V-NYHS. With Congress not/ Disposition: SFB to SM (draft), 31 May 1844, M8. Whether or not/ Broken: SFB to SM, 18 Dec 1843, XM. Sidney Morse vigorously/ Favored: SFB to SM, 12 Oct 1847, Mil. Crew: SFB to SM, [no day] Sep 1846, New-York Historical Society. By contrast with/ Indigestion: RM to SM, 21 Mar 1843, Y Spirits: SFB to RM (copy), 1 Jul 185g, M26. Although Morse surely/ Keenly: P, p. 511. Scenes: SFB to Annie Ellsworth, [no day] Mar 1845, offered for sale in 1997 by the Philadelphia autograph dealer Catherine Barnes. Fondly: Susan Morse to SFB, 7 Jun 1845, M10. Morse stayed in/ Master: N-YO, 15 Jul 1843. See also SFB to Mrs. Washington Allston, 13 Jul 1843, Massachusetts Historical Society. Savvy and cynical/ Charity: FOJS to EC, 19 Feb 1845, C. Sinecure: FOJS to [Cave Johnson] (draft), 24 Mar 1845, M10. On Morse’s recommendation/ Talent: SFB to Cave Johnson (draft), 18 Mar 1845, M10. Obstacles: SFB to [Cave Johnson] (draft), [Mar 1845], M10. Morse’s defeat brought/ Greatness: undated circular for Prominent Men of Business and Enterprise, HORP See also Sellers and Feller. Morse did not share/ Trifling: SFB to B. F. Mudgett (copy), 23 Oct 1857, M27. Morse’s deliverance/ Whiffet: Shoptaugh, 1. See also AK’s Autobiography. Kendall became Jackson’s/ Marat: Sellers, 326. Dark: Martineau, 54. Contemporaries of this/ Honesty: Remini, 485. Suspicious: Rochester Daily Advertiser, 2g Sep 1848. Machine: Shoptaugh, 326. Trade: SFB to AK, 14 Feb 1857, M27. Desire: AK to SFB, g Mar 1847, WU. No less important/ Murmur: Kendall, Autobiography, 657. In a decision/ Manage: SFB to Leonard Gale, 11 Mar 1845, M10. Earthly: AK to SFB, 14 Mar 1847, WU. One month after/ Complete: agreement of 14Jul 1845, WU. Agency: AK to SFB, 4 Mar 1845, Mi o. Morse’s agreement/ Trade: FOJS to AK, 6 Aug 1845, S. Kendall was also/ Heart: AK to FOJS, 12 Aug 1845, S. Folks: FOJS to EC, 17 Aug 1845, C. Kendall drew up/ Newer: HOR to AK, 6 Sep 1845, V. On O’Reilly see also D. Perkins. In his agreement/ Field: HOR to Henry Rogers, 18 Jun 1846, HORLB. On the various agreements see AK, Morse’s Telegraph and the O’Reilly Contract (1848). The high-risk/ Great: HOR to FOJS (copy), 26 Jul 1845, C. Soldier: HOR to AK (draft), 18 Aug 1846, HORSB. Brothers: HOR to AK, 17 Aug 1845, V. Morsograph: HOR to SFB, 4 Feb 1846, M1 o. Kendall worried/ Outline: HOR to AK, 8 Jul 1845, HORLB. Field: AK to HOR, 12 Jul 1845, HORSB. Although Kendall spoke/ Short: AK to FOJS, 31 Jul 1845, C. Kendall admittedly/ Know: Kendall, Autobiography, 529. Calm: AK to FOJS, 25 Aug 1845, S. At the moment/ Benevolent: P, p. 594. Similar European/ Stay: SFB to AV, 26 Jul 1845, V-NYHS. Thousands: AV to SFB, 30 Jul 1845, M10. Morse offered/ Nonsense: AV to George Vail, 13 Aug 1845, V-NYHS. Vail’s book remains valuable for its information on the early history of Morse’s invention and for its eighty-one woodcuts. In setting out/ Command: SFB to AV, 8 Oct 1845, V London journals/ Informed: Mg, fr. 319. Thefts: M33, fr. 365. Morse had inspected/ Needle: Pictorial Times, 11 Oct 1845. And as in Wheatstone’s/ Advantage: SFB to AV, 1 Sep 1845, V Adopted: SFB, memo dated 2 Oct 1845, M10. Truly: SFB to AV, 8 Oct 1845, V Morse was anxious/ Idea: SFB to SM, 2g Dec 1845, M10. Civil: ELM, II, 256. Morse was well positioned/ Cock: SFB to SM, 1 Nov 1845, M10. On Bréguet’s telegraph see also Butrica, 160–65; Holzmann and Pehrson, g2–g4; and Israel and Nier, “The Transfer of Telegraph,” 104–05. On the last day/ 120: SFB, memo dated 31 Oct 1845, M10. Simpler: SFB to Dominique Arago, 1 Nov 1845, Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Arago arranged/ Defective: Mil, fr. 307–308. Encroach: SFB to Robert Walsh, 11 Nov 1845, M1 o. Metternich expressed/ Beautiful: P, p. 531. See also N-YO, 21 Mar 1846 and [Charles Fleischmann] to [unidentified], i4Jan 1846, M26.
TWELVE: TANTALUS STILL
Returning to America/ Millions: AK to SFB, g Jan 1846, WU. A massive physical/Battery: Mg, fr. 489 Morse considered/ Hindrance: SFB to AV, 16 Jan 1846, V A different problem/ Botch-work: HOR to EC, 30 Dec 1845, HORSB. Morse feltdoublecrossed/ Bewitched: SFB to AV, 16 Feb 1846, V Plague: SFB to AV, 12 Jan 1846, V-NYHS. See U.S. Patent No. 4453, 11 Apr 1846. Morse presented the application as an “improvement” on his original patent of June 1840. With whatever difficulties/Penman: M33, fr. 353. A month later/ Parallel: Union, reprinted in an unidentified English journal preserved in Charles Bright’s Telegraphic Notes, I, Institution of Electrical Engineers, London. Branch: unidentified clipping in Charles Bright’s Telegraphic Notes, I, Institution of Electrical Engineers, London. On June 27/ Boasting: SFB to AV (copy), 2g Aug 1846, M10. Satanic: SFB to SM, 24 Feb 1847, Mil. The first week/ Compliments, Feature: M10, fr. 522. The publicity and acclaim/ Enterprize: AK to FOJS, 12 Feb 1846, S. Millionaire: Articles of Agreement and Association, for the Formation of the Washington & New Orleans Telegraph Company (1846). Morse’s new revelations/ Idol: P, p. 541. Yale described the degree as Naturae Artisque Legum Doctor—Doctor of Laws and Natural Arts. See also Bektas. To the press and the public/ The date of the formation of the AP is much debated, but a convincing case for 1846 is made in Blondheim, News. See also Schudson. Morse stayed aloof/ Situated: SFB to RM, 5 Dec 1846, V. Pity: SFB to RM, 19 Dec 1846, Y. Smith charged that/ Form: HOR et al. to AK (copy), 19 Nov 1846, HORSB. Except: HOR to AK (draft), 13 Oct 1846, HORSB. Another time HOR acknowledged having given out what he called “orders for stock.” Whatever the truth/ Storms: AK to HOR, 24 Oct 1846, HORSB. They came, for/ Crawl: HOR to Charles Oslere, 16 Nov 1846, HORLB. World: HOR to “Judge Selden,” 27 Oct 1846, HORSB. O’REILLY DIRECTED/ YIELD: HOR TO HERVEY ELY, 16 Oct 1846, HORLB. Morse got drawn/ Hands: HOR to Henry Selden, 25 Nov 1846, HORLB. Morally: SFB to AK (draft), 16 Feb 1847, Mil. Morse went to Philadelphia/ Confess: ELM, II, 272. Allowance: SFB to AK, 16 Feb 1847, Mil. Steps: ELM, II, 273. Suffer: SFB to J. D. Reid (copy), 21 Dec 1847, Mil. Morse got no/ Stranger: judgment of 18 Feb 1847, HORSB. THE RULING JOLTED/ RIGHTS: SFB TO AK (DRAFT), 24 Feb 1847, Mil. Worst: SFB to AV, 16 Mar 1847, V-NYHS. Morse much needed/ West: HOR to “Friend O’Connor,” 19 Feb 1847, HORLB. Effect: SFB to AK (draft), 24 Feb 1847, Mil. Ruin: HOR to Henry Rogers, 24 Oct 1846, HORSB. Morse abhorred/ Odium: ELM, II, 281–82. Target: ELM, II, 272. O’Reilly had used/ Superior: Herald, g Oct 1845. Genius: HOR to George Dawson, 2 Sep 1847, HORLB. On the House telegraph see W. J. King, “The Development,” 301–302. Morse examined/ Humbug: SFB to AV, 17 Jul 1845, V-NYHS. Backwards: SFB to FOJS, 1 May 1846, S. Avail: SFB to [unidentified] (draft), 3 Apr 1846, M10. Though he thought/ Would-be: SFB to SM, 24 Feb 1847, Mil. Toys: SFB to AV, 26 Apr 1847, V O’Reilly understood/ Modes: HOR to “Friend Wallace,” 8 Jan 1847, HORLB. Monopoly: printed broadside entitled “The Wire Party’s Song,” HORP Behind O’Reilly’s/ Robberies: SFB to Samuel Hazard (draft), 5 Mar 1850, M13. Obtained: Louisville Journal, 15 Aug 1848, AS MORSE FEARED/
CURRENCY: SFB TO SM, 12 Jan 1848, Mil. Profit: SFB to SM, 27 Nov 1847, Mi 1. Russian: Tribune, 6 Oct 1848. Editors: Day Book, 17 Feb 1849 O’Reilly found other/Judges: Henry, Papers, VII, 175n. Vail’s pamphlet sold well in the U.S.—apparently about 4000 copies—and also appeared abroad in French and Italian translations. Greatly though he had/ Cypher: HOR to John I. Rielly, 30 Jun 184g, HORP. Tears: HOR to “Major Downing” (copy), 13 Jul 1847, HORP. Invoke: HOR to Charles Jackson, 18 Jan 1847, HORLB. Embroiled as he was/Knowledge: M33, fr. 541. Deprived: Tribune, 6 Oct 1848. On Jackson and ether see Bruce, 37–38. Jackson’s claims were supported by his brother-in-law, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Morse had no appetite/ Vanity: ELM, II, 274. Mistake: SFB to AV, 1 o Mar 1847, V-NYHS. O’Reilly launched/ Bull: HOR to H. R. Selden, 3 Sep 1847, HORLB. Failure: HOR to “Dr. Bell” (draft), [1848], HORP. Fraud: Louisville Morning Courier, 15 Feb 1848. Even worse, O’Reilly/ Motion: U.S. Patent Reissue 7g, 15 Jan 1846. Glibly: HOR to “Friend Wallace,” 2 Sep 1847, HORLB. The press and public/ Wheel: Daily Post, 30 Sep 1847. Nutmegs: Louisville Morning Courier, 15 Feb 1848. Morse answered the attack/ Hurra: HOR to Hervey Ely, 7 Dec 1847, HORLB. O’Reilly paid a price/ Suffers: HOR to S. Allen, 30 Jan 184g, HORP. Pining: HOR to Charles Moss, 8 Sep 1847, HORLB. Bitter: James D. Reid to HOR, 3 Dec 1847, HORP. To Morse it seemed/ Denounced: AK, Morse’s Telegraph and the O’Reilly Contract (1848), 34. Tantalus: SFB to RM, 13 Dec 1846, Y. A showdown/ Everywhere: AK to FOJS, 3 Mar 1848, HORP. On the New Orleans/ IMPROVED: M33, fr. 376. Simple: HOR to Hervey Ely, 4 Dec 1846, HORLB. The high electrical resistance of House’s telegraph made it impractical for use on long lines, though it was put into use on shorter ones. Greatest: ORLB. The high electrical resistance of House’s telegraph made it impractical for use on long lines, though it was put into use on shorter ones. Greatest: RLB. The high electrical resistance of House’s telegraph made it impractical for use on long lines, though it was put into use on shorter ones. Greatest: M33, fr. 501. Minds: See [HOR], To the People of Michigan, 1849, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin [1848], 17. Probably so/ Manifest: SFB to FOJS (copy), 11 Mar 1848, S. By January 1848/Armed: Taliaferro Shaffner to SFB, gJan 1848, Mil. Sorrow: SFB to Taliaferro Shaffner, 21 Jan 1848, Mil. See also Shaffner’s quite different, later account of this episode in M35, fr. 329. As the competing/ Reptile: See clippings in Box gC, V. Sympathy: Vail Scrapbook, p. 21, V. Nations: SFB to Journal (not in SFB’s hand), 28 Jan 1848, Mil. Morse’s genteel replies/ Protect: Theodore Faxton to SFB, 10 Mar 1848, M12. Character: RM to SFB, 12 Mar 1848, M12. By early spring/ Infringers: SFB to FOJS (copy), 11 Mar 1848, Mi 2. For weeks Morse/ Defense: ELM, II, 283. Adversary: AK to SFB, 27 Jun 1848, WU. Encounter: AK to SFB, 8 Dec 1848, WU. The competing telegraphs/ Jackdaw: HOR to James S. Wallace, 6 Sep 1848, HORP. On the trial see M33, fr. 539–46. Judge Monroe rendered/ Evasion: Yeoman, i4Sep 1848. O’Reilly did not/ Dead: Courier, 12 Sep 1848. Case: HOR to editors of American Mining Journal, i6 Oct 1848, HORP. HOR’s charge of conspiracy was not entirely fanciful. Quite unethically, Page had given Morse information about Royal House’s application for a patent. Morse had learned/ Murder: SFB to RM, 25 Oct 1848, Y. Morse’s Order of Glory/ Messiah: Vail Scrapbook, p. 86, V Grateful: SFB to Secretary P. Marsh (draft), 15 Dec 184g, M13. Titles: SFB, Foreign Conspiracy against the Liberties of the United States, 66–67. Morse discovered once/ Citizen: See M33, fr. 385, 391. And O’Reilly’s/ See HOR’s Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Range circular headed “Telegraphic and Letter-Mail Communication with the Pacific,” New-York Historical Society. Whatever Morse might/ Married: Vail Scrapbook, p. 47, V
THIRTEEN: THE GREAT TELEGRAPH CASE
Morse first saw Sarah/ Deportment: SFB to SM, 7 Aug 1848, M26. Sarah was SFB’s second cousin on his mother’s side. Sarah had been deaf/ Uttered: SFB to L. J. Anderson (draft), 24 Jan 1853, M16. Alfred Vail remarked that Sarah was “still Deaf.” AV to George Vail, 1 Sep 1848, V Anyone: SFB to Thomas Walker, 9 Jan 1852, M15. Sarah’s impairment/ Excited: SFB to SM, 7 Aug 1848, M26. Personal: SFB to RM, 29 Jul 1848, Y. Morse felt no less/ Thwarted: SFB to RM, 27 Aug 1848, Y. Sarah attended/Taught: SFB to Sarah Morse, 25 Dec 1852, M15. Summons: SFB to Sarah Morse, 25 Feb 1855, M17. Morse brought Sarah/Variety: ELM, II, 280–81. To manage the large place/ Farmer: see M14, fr. g8. Friendless: P, pp. 669–71. Morse gave his estate/Permitted: SFB to SM, 12 Sep 1847, Mil. SFB seems to have paid $8000 down in cash, and to have taken a mortgage for the rest. Picturesque: A. J. Davis to SFB, 5 Sep 1852, M15. SFB had painted a frontispiece for Davis’ book. Davis’ evolving plans survive at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Library. Morse and Sarah quickly/ Sinner: SFB to George Wood, 2 Feb 1853, Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Souls: SFB to Sarah Morse, 2 Apr 1854, M16. Morse’s children by Lucrece/ Kind: Charles Morse to SFB, 23 Nov 1847, Mi 1. Morse had little sympathy/ Millions: SFB to SM, 18 Dec 1848, New-York Historical Society. Finley too lived/ Despair: SFB to SM, 1 g Apr 1848, M1. Susan—“my ancient/ Horrid: Charles W Lind to SFB, 3oJun 1855, M17. Morse had intently/ Race: SFB to SM, 2g Oct 1846, M10. Operations: SFB to SM, 8 May 1847, M11. Thrashing: SFB to AV, 27 Mar 1847, V Like many other/ Destiny: SFB to Dominique Arago (draft), [no day] Apr 1848, Mi 2. Crushed: N-YO, 8 Jan 1852. On the revolutions see Langer and Rudé. As for his aesthetic/ Sadness: SFB to RM, 24 Feb 1848, Y. His eyesight deteriorated/ Destroyed: SFB to James Fenimore Cooper (typed transcript), 20 Nov 184g, M13. Morse’s disgust/ Continent: Daily Freeman, 6 Aug 1850. They did not, but/ Gaze: “A Review of the Circular of L. L. Hill,” Photographic Art Journal 5, no. 1 (1853): 38. Hill wrote to Morse/ Systems: L. L. Hill to SFB, 7 Jun 1852, M15. Motto: L. L. Hill to SFB, 26 Apr 1852, M15. On Hill see Barger and White, 38 ff. Despite the bunker/ Delusion: SFB to Editor of the National Intelligencer (draft), 4 Oct 1852, M26. Rejoiced: SFB to L. L. Hill (draft), 21 Jun 1851, M15. Grateful for Morse’s/ Actual: L. L. Hill to SFB, 2g Jan 1852, M15. Pounce: L. L. Hill to SFB, 26 Apr 1852, M15. Plagued: see N-YO, 26 Jun 1851. That may or may not/ Remarkable: see N.Y. Tribune, 17 Jun 1851. A second, more complex: Angel: Dorf, 173. On the litigation see Khan, 195–96. Morse’s new legal/ Hotel: HOR to J. B. [Monnot?], 30 Oct 1851, HORP Burdened or not/ Outrage: HOR to George Dawson (draft), [ca. 1848], HORP Highway: see HOR’s Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Range circular headed “Telegraph and Letter-Mail Communication with the Pacific” [184g]. Morse saw in Bain’s/ Chapter: SFB to AV (copy), 6 May 1848, Mi 2. On the Bain telegraph and the subsequent lawsuit see the excellent discussion in Hochfelder, “Taming the Lightning.” Morse dug up/ Complicated: SFB to SM, 12 Jan 1848, Mil. Morse tried to stop/ Mark: SFB, patent application (copy), 20 Jan 1848, Maryland Historical Society. Morse attended Bain/ The account of the trial is based on Report of the Case of Alexander Bain, Apellant, vs. Samuel F. B. Morse (184g); Franklin Institute Journal,18, 3d ser. (1849); Baltimore Sun, 16 Mar 184g; AK to SFB, 26 Mar 1849, Mi 2. The press reargued/ Affair: Rochester Daily Democrat, 24 Mar 1849 Just: Sun, 6 May 1848. In the patent granted/ Formidable: AK to SFB, 13 Apr 1849, Mi 2. Using Bain’s system/ Loose: Circular of HOR’s Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Range, headed “Restoration of Louisville and New Orleans Line” (184g). Morse and Kendall/ Sustained: See N.Y. Tribune, 28 Jun 1849 In his handsome Tuscan/ Enjoyment: see part transcription of 184g letter from SFB, Autograph (Apr 1999), 30. Almost: AK to SFB, 28 Jul 1850, M14. A current estimate held that for every dollar received for damages in cases of infringement, $gg was spent on legal fees. See M33, fr. 536. Morse also faced/ Knowledge: Theodore Faxton to SFB, 17 Nov 1848, Mi 2. And try as he might/ Pirates: SFB to George Wood, 14 Jan 1851, A. S. W. Rosenbach Foundation. The definition was crucial/ Conceived: M24, fr. 250. Principle: SFB to George Gifford, 1 Jan 1851, M14. Application: SFB to L. Bréguet (draft), 27 Oct 1846, M10. It upset Morse/ Exalted: Henry, Papers, VII, 522. Trust: P, pp. 551–52. Coloured: Bruce, 275. Henry felt that his achievements had not been adequately recognized in Europe either. See Coulson, 217–20, and Moyer, 242 ff. Morse’s opponents used/ Original: Henry, Papers, VII, 6oon. Forbear: SFB to AV, 15 Jan 1851, V. And to deepen/ Worst: AK to “M. Ray,” 27 Jan 1852, WU. On the agreement see Deduction of Henry O’Rielly’s [sic]Title to the use of Morse’s Patents in Certain Regions (n.d.). As he usually did/ Distorts: SFB to AK, 23 May 184g, WU. Confirm: AK to SFB, 3 Jan 1850, M13. Suffer: SFB to AK (copy), 22 Dec 184g, WU. Allowance: SFB to FOJS, 15 May 184g, S. But Smith allowed/ Judas: Theodore Fax-ton to SFB, 18 Jun 1852, M15. Smith justified the construction by calling it not a main line but a side line, passing through and serving such villages as Nunda and Dansville. See Dorf, i2g–5i. Prospects: Herald, 1 Feb 1850. Smith tried to make Morse see Kendall as an enemy too, by implying that Kendall was skimming sales receipts. Kendall pleaded with/ Alternatives: AK to SFB, 4 Dec 184g, M13. Facts: SFB to FOJS, 4 Mar 1850, S. Fraudulent: FOJS to AK, 5 Mar 1850, S. F. O. G.: SFB to AK, 8 Mar 1850, WU. Fangs: SFB to RM, 26 Apr 1850, Y. Smith wanted Morse/ Feather: SFB to FOJS (copy), 13 Mar 1850, S. See also [AK], Full Exposure of the Conduct of Dr. Charles T. Jackson [1850?]. Through a farcical/ Permit: E. Fitch Smith to SFB, 17 Apr 1850, M14. Smith threatened to break/ Knife: AK to FOJS, 22 Apr 1850, S. Glory: FOJS to SFB, 15 Apr 1850, S. Whether the decision/ Bribed: SFB to SM, 22 Nov 1850, M14. Thorn: M33, fr. 527. For an excellent discussion of the Downing case see Hochfelder, “Taming the Lightning.” Having sided with/ Foggy: SFB to AK (copy), 10 Jan 1853, M16. To Morse, Smith’s/ Rascality: SFB to George Vail, 10 Mar 1852, V. Order: FOJS to AK, 9 Apr 1852, Amos Kendall Papers, Library of Congress. Morse v. Smith/ See Samuel F. B. Morse, and Alfred Vail, against Francis O. J. Smith (1852) and the judicial decision of 20 Nov 1852, M15. Morse suffered/ Crows: ELM, II, 319. In reality, Smith/ Lust: Gaffney, 428. Happiness: FOJS to “my friend Lucy,” 25 Dec 1851, S. Looking into the future/ Corpse: SFB to Daniel Lord, 5 Aug 1854, M29. Cutting: SFB to AK (draft), 4 Jan 1851, M14. Downward: SFB to George Wood, 4 Jan 1851, A. S. W. Rosenbach Foundation. Crept: SFB to RM, 1 Jul 1852, Y. Morse’s expensive/ Relentless: SFB to AK (draft), 4 Jan 1851, M14. Cheap: SFB to [unidentified], 12 Jul 1851, A. S. W. Rosenbach Foundation. Grave: SFB, draft of an article for N-YO, 7 Jan 1851, M14. Becoming one of the most/ Obscurity: SFB to J. E. Sherwood (draft), 14 Jan 1853, M16. O’Reilly was in less/ Agony: HOR to S. K. Zook, 18 Feb 1852, HORP. The Court agreed to hear the case in January 1852, but delayed until the end of the year. During the wait, a fire in a clerk’s room at the Supreme Court destroyed many of Morse’s important legal papers and evidence, including his Sully sketchbook. Fortunately he had prepared a certified copy. Pivot: George Wood to SFB, 20 Apr [1852], M15. Morse’s side tried/ Object: see Argument of George Gifford, Esq., Delivered in December, 1852, at Washington, before the Supreme Court (1853). Marking: See The Electric Telegraph. Substance of the Argument of S. P. Chase before the Supreme Court of the United States (1853). Morse considered the outcome/ SFB to Sarah Morse, 25 Dec 1852, M15. The decision would test/ First: M17, fr. 120. An editorial in/ Grant: Daily Times (later the New York Times), 14 Sep 1852. Many contemporary historians of technology have challenged the nineteenth-century myth of the lone inventor. For most of them the story of the telegraph better fits the modern model of organized industrial research. See, for instance, Social Construction and Israel, From Machine Shop. The Supreme Court spoke/ For the Court’s decision(s) see Journal of The Franklin Institute 27, 3d ser. (1854). Kendall, in Washington/ Signal: AK to SFB, 31 Jan 1854, M16. Utterly: SFB to EC (telegram), 8 Feb 1854, M16. World: SFB to Sarah Morse, 19 Feb 1854, M16. Having narrowed/ Anxieties: SFB to AK (copy), 20 Jun 1854, M29. But Morse succeeded/ See the opinion of Commissioner Charles Mason, 23 Jun 1854, M16. Reap: ELM, II, 324.
FOURTEEN: A TRUE SOCIAL FRATERNITY
The decade since/ On the effect of the telegraph on business see NY Herald, 9 Jul 1855; Du Boff; Beniger; John, “Recasting the Information.” By 1855, the telegraph/ Early duplex systems were invented by M. G. Farmer of Salem, Mass., in 1852, and by Gintl of Vienna in 1853. See Meyer, 111–12. Morse was enthusiastic for Gintl’s process, and offered to secure a patent for it in the United States. See SFB to Charles F. Loosey, 8 Oct 1855, M27. The occupation/ Babel: Russell, 54. The fifty or so/ On consolidation see especially Blondheim, News, 191–92; Nonnenmacher; Thompson. At the same time/ Prussia: See Siemens, 108–09. Sweden: See material on Tele-museum Web site, <www.telemuseum.se/musinfo/telegrafi=. Australia: See Samuel McGowan to SFB, 3 Dec 1853, Mi 6. India: Headrick, 54. Field’s oracular venture/ Absurd: M33, fr. 559. Sublime: Tribune, 1 Jun 1855. History: N-YO, 7 Jun 1855. Morse shared this/ Future: P, p. 624. See also Dibner. Morse tried to make/ Project: SFB to Cyrus Field (draft), 11 Mar 1854, Mi 6; cf. SFB to John C. Spencer (copy), 10 Aug 1843, LHL. Offended: SFB to Horatio Hubbell, 12 Jun 1854, Duke University Library. Morse sent descriptions/ Office: SFB to Michael Faraday (draft), 30 Sep 1854, M17. Faraday did not reply/ Induce: C. D. Archibald to SFB, 30 Oct 1854, M17. Morse quickly learned/ Consent: SFB to Cyrus Field, 22 Apr (draft) and 15 Apr (copy) 1854, M26. Kendall too was disturbed/ Enter: AK to SFB, 10 Jun 1854, M16. Sincerity: AK to SFB, 16 May 1854, M16. But Morse felt/ Priest: C. D. Archibald to SFB, 16 Sep 1854, M17. Folly: SFB to AK (copy), 13 Jun 1854, M29. Not only O’Reilly/ Care: AV to SFB, 21 Sep 1848, V-NYHS. Brain: AV to Daniel Griffin, 26 May 184g, V. Vail returned/Crushing: AV to AK 29 Jun 1852, V-NYHS. Bitter: see AV diary for 1851, New Jersey Historical Society. Morse believed that/ Annoyances: SFB to George Vail (copy), 15 Jul 1854, M29. Animal: SFB to AK, 24 Aug 1854, M29. And Smith won/ Swindle: ELM, II, 347. Element: SFB to AK (copy), 4 Dec 1855, M27. Incubus: SFB to T. R. Walker (copy), 8 Sep 1854, M29. Revolting: AK to SFB, 7 May 1856, M18. Morse thought of disengaging/ Relation: SFB to AK (copy), 22 Jun 1854, M29. Precarious: AK to SFB, 1 Nov 1854, M17. Morse sent Kendall/ Liable: SFB to A.K, 26 Jun 1854, WU. Morse’s tone sounds/ Complain: AK to SFB, 1 Oct 1855, M17. In private, Morse/ Attack!: SFB to AK, 6 Dec 1856, M27. While at Locust/ Cordially: SFB to Joseph L. Jones (copy), 18 Oct 1854, M29. Votes: SFB to N. Robinson, 14 Jun 1855, M29. In the congressional/ Platform: SFB to Joseph L. Jones (copy), 18 Oct 1854, M29. Morse had always thought/ Rabid: SFB to W S. Tisdale (copy), 30 May 1855, M29. Good: SFB to S. M. Dorr, 1 Nov 1854, M29. Reckless: SFB to Tisdale. Despite efforts by Morse/ Shock: SFB to William B. Weiss (draft), 12 Feb 1852, M15. Morse felt the effects/ Savages: SFB to “Mr. Sherrell,” 4 Apr 184g, Mi 2. Cried: SFB to RM, 4 Apr 1849, Y. Wish: SFB to “Mr. Bokum” (copy), 18 Jul 1854, M29. Morse became a rallying/ Jesuitism: Joseph C. Morton to SFB, 17 Aug 184g, M13. Although running/ GOVERN: N-YO, 21 Jun 1855. Awake: SFB to Edward Beecher (copy), 9 Apr 1855, M29. On the Know-Nothings see Billington, chs. 11–12, and Holt, ch. 24. About ten days before/ See N-YO, 24 May 1855. Soon Morse was trading/ Festering: N-YO, 24 May 1855. Eel: SFB to Norman Robinson (copy), 21 Apr 1855, M29. Morse’s months/Moment: N-YO, 30 Aug 1855. Layed: J. Packarde to SFB, 11 Jul 1855, M17. Pilloried: see N-YO, 19 Jul 1855; here the name is spelled Spaulding. Despite his passion/ Ruinous: SFB to Stephen Clark (copy), 15 Sep 1855, M29. On abolition and nativism see Anbinder. To a lengthening list/ Ultraisms: SFB to Joseph L. Jones, 18 Oct 1854, M29. Platforms: SFB to Anna Ella Carroll (copy), 27 May 1856, M27. On August 20/ Bound: Herald, 3 Sep 1855. In describing the voyage I have summarized and tried to square conflicting accounts in Cain, Carter, Field, Mullaly, and NY. Tribune, 6 Sep 1855. Field’s sudden interest/ Scruple: SFB to AK (copy), 7 Dec 1855, M27. On the Hughes telegraph see W King, “The Development,” 303; Prescott, 13g–44. In its later modifications, Hughes’ telegraph was used in Europe to the end of the century. But two weeks later/ Wonderful: Herald, 17 Nov 1855. Morse knew about/ Collision: SFB to AK (copy), 20 Nov 1855, M27. Kendall was less/ Friendship: AK to SFB, 7 Dec 1855, M17. But Morse was by nature/ Unsuspicious: AK to SFB, 12 Feb 1850, WU. Enterprize: SFB to John W. Brett, 26 Dec 1855, M27. Business: SFB to AK (copy), 4 Dec 1855, M27. Morse agreed to accompany/ Extent: SFB to George Harding, 7 May 1856, M27. Liberal: William Goodrich to SFB, 26 May [1855, but misdated 1850], M14. Farthing: SFB to [probably AK] (copy), 8 Jan 1855, M29. But the spring months/ Wretch: SFB to T. R. Walker (copy), 16 Jan 1856, M27. Claim: AK to SFB, 20 Feb 1856, M18. Morse made his uncomfortable/ Honorable: SFB to T. R. Walker (copy), 28 Feb 1856, M27. Warm: SFB to AK, 2g Feb 1856, M27. Undoing: SFB to Taliaferro Shaffner (copy), 8 Apr 1856, M27. Morse may have undone/ Hostile: AK to SFB, 5 Mar 1856, M18. Against his every wish/ Plan: SFB to A.K. 20 May 1856, M27. Moment: SFB to AK (copy), 20 May 1856, M27. Jedediah was much/ Malice: SFB to “Rev. Sprague” (copy), 24 May 1856, M27. Morse and Sarah departed/ Fixed: Cyrus Field to SFB (telegram), 17 May 1856, M18. SFB’s answer appears as a handwritten note on Field’s telegram, seemingly intended for a telegram also.
FIFTEEN: CAN’T! SIR, CAN’T!
After about ten/ Chatting: SFB to SM (copy), 19 Jul 1856, Y. Morse’s journey north/ Passport: SFB to SM (copy), ígJul 1856, Y. Services: P, p. 612. Morse considered his visit/ Foundation: ELM, II, 354–55. Through the American minister/ On SFB’s visit to St. Petersburg see ELM, II, 355–64, and M18, fr. 237–39 The test results/ Resolved: P, p. 645. After the downing/ The transcriptions of SFB’s long speech in several newspapers differ substantially. I have relied chiefly on an official report of the dinner, M18, fr. 327. But see also the discrepant transcriptions and summaries in NYO, 30 Oct 1856, and M33, fr. 57g–8o. London newspapers reported/ Entitled: European, 22 Nov 1856. Progress: London Times, 13 Oct 1856. F. O. J. Smith was suing/ Thorn: ELM, II, 371. KNIGHT: M33, fr. 567. The assaults left Morse/ Depressed: SFB to AK (copy), 2g Dec 1856, M27. Money-worshipping: SFB to Charles Morse, 10 Jan [185g but misdated 1858], M26. Nook: SFB to AK (copy), 2g Jan 1857, M27. Morse sought relief/ Problems: SFB to Peter Cooper (copy), 21 Mar 1857, M27. Hostile: AK to SFB, 4 Jan 1857, M18. Morse still hoped/ Onward: Peter Cooper to SFB, 10 Mar 1857, M18. A few days later/ Duplicity: SFB to Peter Cooper, 14 Mar 1857, M27. Field’s non-offer/ Scheme: AK to SFB, 22 Feb 1857, Mi 8. Morse thanked Field/ Something: SFB to Cyrus Field, 13 Feb 1857, M27. Sacrifice: SFB to AK (copy), 14 Feb 1857, M27. Morse’s ever more desperate/ Sacred: AK to SFB, 23 Feb 1857, M18. Bluish: SFB to AK (copy), 14 Feb 1857, M27. Morse anxiously longed/ Rupture: SFB to T. R. Walker (copy), 21 Mar 1857, M27. The bill for the appropriation provoked angry debate in the Senate. Southerners and westerners saw the transatlantic telegraph chiefly profiting traders and merchants in the industrial North. Others argued that, in case of war, the cable would greatly benefit England. See The Arguments in Favor of the International Submarine Telegraph, in the Senate of the United States (1857). The offer cannot have/ Waived: SFB to Peter Cooper (copy), 21 Mar 1857, M27. Morse did not say/ Satisfied: SFB to T. R Walker (copy), 21 Mar 1857, M27. As a world-historic/ GREAT: M33, fr. 681. Annals: NY. Tribune, 27 Aug 1857. Sublime: Times and Messenger, 23 Aug 1857. Morse received extensive/ Can’t: Harper’s Weekly, 2 May 1857, 282. Morse shipped for England/ Falls: SFB to Sarah Morse, 2 May 1857, M18. The following account of the laying of the transatlantic cable draws on Briggs and Maverick, Dibner, Field, Mullaly, and Saward, and on newspaper clippings in M33. A serious problem/ Splendid: SFB to Cyrus Field (copy), 15 May 1857, M27. Morse enthusiastically approved/ Conferred: SFB to Sarah Morse, 6 Jun 1857, M18. Ordinary: SFB to Frederic Van den Broek (copy), 2Jun 1857, M27. To reinforce the French/Withhold: SFB to SM, 15 Jun 1857, New-York Historical Society. Providence in some/ Jeopardy: Lewis Cass to John G. Mason, 31 Jul 1857, M19. Morse spent the rest/ Abused: SFB to Sarah Morse, 6 Jun 1857, M18. Morse and his fellow/ Delighted: SFB to Sarah Morse, 9 Jul 1857, M19. Morse reboarded/ Harbors: SFB to Sarah Morse, 28 Jul 1857, M33. Scholars: M33, fr. 705. News that the historic/ Fleet: Herald, 18 Aug 1857. For the sake of compression, I have connected parts of closely related sentences from two adjoining paragraphs. Glory: ELM, II, 376. An immense coil/ Steam-engines: ELM, II, 378. The squadron had moved/ Occur: SFB to SM, 7 Aug 1857, M1 9 Operations resumed/Rumbling: ELM, II, 380. Morse telegraphed/ 214: SFB to [Edward Whitehouse], 10 Aug 1857, M33. Littleness: P, p. 659 As the Niagara steamed/ Thread: SFB to Sarah Morse (draft), 12 Aug 1857, M33. Also lost overboard/ Herculean: Tribune, 27 Aug 1857. Sanguine: M33, fr. g6. Disagreeable: Scientific American, 3 Oct 1857, 29 Morse contributed/ Fatal: Scientific American, 19 Sep 1857, 13. Demur: Briggs and Maverick, 114. In fact, Morse’s/ Engage: SFB to John Mullaly, 23 Oct 1857, Morgan Library. Meanwhile the company’s/ Providential: SFB to George Saward (draft), 18 Aug 1857, M19. Having sent his recommendation/ Tomorrow: SFB to Sarah Morse, 14 and 20 Aug 1857, M19. Kendall gave Morse/ Defiant: AK to SFB, 6 Jul 1857, M18. See also Proceedings of the Principal Telegraph Companies in the United States (1857). Morse was already peeved/ Adverse: SFB to Sarah Morse, 7 Sep 1857, M19. A little relieved/ Posted: SFB to Cyrus Field (draft), 1 Jun 1858, M19. Morse’s 140/Thinly: SFB to Sarah Morse, 19 Sep 1857, M19.
SIXTEEN: FORWARD
Kendall had obtained/ Existed: AK to SFB, 3 Oct 1857, M19. Morse’s extant correspondence leaves it uncertain whether he learned of the events recounted in AK’s important letter of 27 Aug 1857 (M19) before he left England or after he returned to the United States. My best judgment is that he learned of them after his return. See also Thompson, 310 ff. Morse had had/ Sacrifice: SFB to John Mullaly, 23 Oct 1857, MORGAN LIBRARY. SUICIDE: SFB TO AK, 20 Oct 1857, M27. Field explained that/ Violating: SFB to SM, 15 Mar 1858, M19. Exculpate: SFB to J. W. Brett (draft), 27 Dec 1858, M19. Hurt and angry/ Imparted: SFB to Cyrus Field (copy), 12 Mar 1858, M19. PERFIDY: AK TO SFB, 27 Aug 1857, M19. Inordinate: New American State Papers, 196. Morse companies excluded/ Africa: AK to SFB, 27 Aug 1857, M19. Morse had always striven/ Intriguants: SFB to AK, 20 Oct 1857, M27. Field’s exact part/ Deserved: Cyrus Field to SFB (copy), [no day] May 1858, M19. Morse replied by recalling/ Blind: SFB to Cyrus Field (draft), 1 Jun 1858, M1 9 “My faith in those/ Misplaced: SFB to SM, 2g Dec 1857, New-York Historical Society. Contempt: AK to SFB, 5Jun and 18 May 1858, M19. Gratuity: ELM, II, 3g5. COLUMBUS: NY. Times, g Sep 1858. Morse and Sarah sailed/ Right: SFB, “To the Conductors,” 27 Nov 1857, Samuel Morse Historic Site, Poughkeepsie. Morse had rarely/ Pleasure: ELM, II, 3g7. Plants: SFB to Charles Morse, 10 Jan [185g but misdated 1858], M26. Severe: SFB to E. D. Apthorp, 26 Jan 1857, M27. Punish: SFB to Arthur Morse 1859, (copy), 27 Dec 1858, M26. Americans greeted/ Neighborhood: M33, fr. 724. New Yorkers closed/ Orgasm: Strong, 412. On the celebration see the newspaper clippings gathered in M33, fr. 727–30. Morse was not forgotten/ Forever: M33, fr. 749. Uninspired: Western Episcopalian, 10 Sep 1858. In Paris, seventy-five/ Mark: John Munro et al. to SFB, [no day] Aug 1858, M19. Realized: Times, g Sep 1858. A week after Morse’s/ On the Board of Trade see Earl Shelbourne to Board of Trade, 21 Nov 1857, Public Record Office, London. The homage paid him/ Gratitude: ELM, II, 394–95. Lofty: M20, fr. 157 ff. On Sep 27, SFB attended the ten-hour exhibition at the Café de la Régence, in which the young American chess wizard Paul Morphy defeated eight of the best players in Paris while blindfolded. Rejoicing curdled/ Solitary: Courier, 19 Jan 1859 Judgment: M33, fr. 743. On the cable failure see Bright and Dibner. The breakdown/ Ejected: SFB to J. W. Brett (draft), 27 Dec 1858, M19. Motive: SFB to [AK] (copy), 22 Dec 1858, M26. Morse and Sarah spent/ Claude: SFB to SM (copy), 12 Jan [185g but misdated 1858], M26. Morse was impressed/ Inferior: SFB to RM (copy), 28 Dec 1858, M26; see also Leila Morse Rummel, TS “Souvenirs of Samuel F. B. Morse,” Archives of American Art. Swine: S “Souvenirs of Samuel F. B. Morse,” Archives of American Art. Swine: “Souvenirs of Samuel F. B. Morse,” Archives of American Art. Swine:: SFB to Cornelia Goodrich (copy), 26 Jan 185g, M26. After Morse’s ten-month/ Excellence: SFB to Robert Walsh, 28 Mar 185g, M26. Homage poured in/ Suspicious: SFB to Vice President and Directors of the Morse Insurance Company, 28 Oct 1860, M29. The invitation from the architects came later, in 1869. See Russell Sturgis to SFB, 12 Oct 1869, M23. Morse’s $80,000 indemnity/ Honor: SFB to George T Curtis (copy), 6 Jul 1860, M29. Serious: SFB to FOJS, 24 May 1860, M20. Favor: SFB to AK (copy), 3 Aug 1860, M29. The arbitration hearing/Synonyms: ELM, II, 411–12. On the hearing see MS document of 31 Jul 1860, Y. Morse saw in the situation/ Demands: see “General Release,” 3 Jun 1862, WU. Corpus: SFB to George Curtis (copy), 6 Jul 1860, M29. Den: SFB to RM, 7 Sep 1860, M29. The much-reduced/ Dyspeptic: ELM, II, 400. The various settlements/ Manifesto: see M20, fr. 224–26 and documents included in AK to Charles Page (not in Kendall’s hand), 2 Apr 1860, M20. Astonished, Morse/ Human: SFB to Leonard Gale, 12 Apr 1869, M31. Morse went to Washington/ See Decision of Hon. Philip F. Thomas, Commissioner of Patents, on the Application of Samuel F. B. Morse (1860). But then there was/ Libellous: Moyer, 272. But Henry replied/ See pamphlet entitled “Extracts from the Proceedings of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, in Relation to the Electro-Magnetic Telegraph” [1860?], copy in HORP The Smithsonian committee/ Pervert: Coulson, 232. Legal: see F. M. Baudouin to SFB, 27 Nov 1860, M20. The detailed case that Henry/ Superhuman: SFB to SM, 12 Jan [185g but misdated 1858], M16. Inculpate: SFB to RM, 16 Oct 1858, Y Morse began preparing/ Arraigned: M20, fr. 161. Morse reasoned that/ Mixed: SFB to SM (copy), 23 Feb 185g, M26. Morse favored the idea/ Feeling: SFB to AK, 7 Jul 185g, M27. Kendall handled/ Manger: Thompson, 329 On the negotiations see also Blondheim, 118–29. However much Morse/ Competence: SFB to FOJS, 24 May 1860, M20. Creeping: SFB to Taliaferro Shaffner, 27 Jun 1860, M27. Morse’s house was/ Consumer: SFB to H. S. Lansing (copy), g Aug 1860, M29. On New York City at the time see Burrows and Wallace, and Spann. Morse continued to house/ Inglorious: RM to SM, 31 Jul 1851, Y. Bounty: ELM, II, 421. With Morse’s fine/ Dishabille: SFB to Duke of Newcastle (copy), 18 Aug 1860, M29. Engaged: Duke of Newcastle to SFB, 8 Oct 1860, M20; and see T. Jones, 86. With a momentous/ Attraction: SFB to “Mr. Reibart,” 10 Jun 185g, M26. Overboard: Potter, 485.
SEVENTEEN: IS THIS TREASON? IS THIS CONSPIRACY?
For Samuel F. B. Morse/ Scorn: SFB to S. B. S. Bissell, 20 Sep 1861, M29. The breakdown/ Fellow: SFB to J. L. M. Curry, 16 Mar 1860, M27. These connections/ Slaveholder: SFB to Robert Baird (copy), 16 Jul 1860, M29. Sword: SFB to George L. Douglas (copy), 12 Jan 1861, M29. To do what he could/ Praying: SFB to H. G. Ludlow (copy), 13 May 1861, M29. Slaughter: SFB, “The Letter of a Republican,” Papers from the Society for the Diffusion of Political Knowledge, no. 4 [1863]: 6. Morse’s group held/ Brethren: SFB to Cornelia Goodrich, 21 Apr 1861, New York Public Library. On the opening events of the war see Potter. Morse’s agony deepened/ Abuse: SFB to H. G. Ludlow (copy), 13 May 1861, M29. Prestige: SFB to James Wynne (copy), 2 May 1861, M26. Morse recalled bitterly/ Anomaly: SFB to “Col. Hamilton” (copy), 10 May 1861, M29. Instead of fleeing/ Heart: SFB to [unidentified] (copy), 5 Feb 1862, M29. As Morse pointed out/ Deplorable: SFB to Charles Mason (copy), 27 Jan 1865, M28, referring to a letter of 1862. Some other Unionists also suggested that North and South could overcome their differences by joining to fight England, or England and Spain. See McKay, 107. Morse’s alarums/ Aristocracy: Hyman, 66. Terror: Crook, 54–55. See also Davis, 44–46. Not surprisingly/ Charged: SFB to Edward Hyde (copy), [day illegible] Oct 1861, M29. Return: SFB to George L. Douglass (copy), 21 Apr 1862, M29. See also Thompson, 377. The eruption of/Armies: SFB to Edward Lind (copy), 22 Sep 1861, M29. Gild: SFB to James Wynne (copy), 12 Aug 1861, M29. Battle figures based on Long. Morse told Kendall/ Crow: SFB to AK (copy), 23 Jul 1862, M29. Prophecy: SFB to T. R. Walker (copy), 27 Oct 1862, M29. For Morse, as for/ Wicked: SFB to “Judge Caton” (draft), 18 Feb 1863, M21. Scheme: SFB to William Goodrich (copy), 17 Oct 1862, M29. On the Proclamation see McPherson, 118 ff. Unless, Morse thought/ Elections: SFB to William Goodrich (copy), 17 Oct 1862, M29. Morse’s fantasy/ Rabid: SFB to Susan Morse, 12 Feb 1863, M29. Morse found some hope/ Support: Burrows and Wallace, 879 The paper gave a sinister/ Oligarchs: see Evening Post, 7, g, 10, 14 Feb 1863. Infamous: Mabee, 348. See also Katz, 120–21. The Society convened/ Treason: “The Constitution. Addresses of Prof Morse, Mr. Geo Ticknor Curtis, and Mr. S. J. Tilden, at the Organization,” Papers from the Society for the Diffusion of Political Knowledge, no. 1 [1863?]. Retract: SFB to “Judge Caton,” 18 Feb 1863, M21. On the S.D.P.K. see also Lee, 228–30, and McKay, 174–75. In trying to reach/ Mind: SFB to Charles Mason, 14 Oct 1863, M29. Morse himself had contributed/ Intended: SFB to H. G Ludlow (copy), 13 May 1861, M29. Heresy: SFB to “Senator Bigler” (copy), 6 Feb 1861, M29. Morse also studied but wrote little about the constitutional issues, considering the main one settled: “The United States are forbidden to touch [slavery]. The States alone individually have the right to regulate the relation.” SFB to RM (copy), 5 Nov 1864, M28. As Morse explained/ See SFB, An Argument, passim. That this view/ Cursed: SFB to Martin Hauser (copy), 21 Sep 1863, M29. Relation: SFB to Charles Mason (copy), 14 Oct 1863, M29. Morse tried to account/ Rejecting: SFB to H. G Ludlow (copy), 13 May 1861, M29. Despite his devotion/ Delusion: SFB to “Mr. Luckey” (copy), 19 Nov 1862, M29. Declaration: SFB to H. G. Ludlow (copy), 17 May 1860, M27. Subjection: SFB, The Present Attempt to Dissolve the American Union, 40–41. Temples: SFB, An Argument, 3. Nature as well/ Degraded: SFB, An Argument, 19. Baboon: SFB, Lectures on the Affinity, 64. Superior: McPherson, 61. Caucasian: SFB to Gideon S. Tucker (copy), 10 Apr 1863, M29. On the linking of pro-slavery biblical arguments with racialist arguments see Noll. Morse emphasized/ Guidance: SFB, An Argument, 12. BARBAROUS: SFB, An Argument, 16. What distinguishes Morse’s/ Axiom: SFB to George Wood (copy), 5 Mar 1865, M28. Remain: SFB to RM (copy), 6 Jun 1865, M28. On the pro-slavery argument see especially Faust. Sidney Morse shared/ Deification: SM, Premium (Questions on Slavery (1860), 13. Delusions: SFB to RM (copy), g Nov 1864, M28. It gratified Morse/ Pious: SFB to Stuart Robinson, 23 Nov 1863, M29. Fitness: M33, fr. 488. Demand: SFB to “Mr. Shedd” (copy), 22 Jul 1864, M28. But Morse’s writing/ Repentance: H. G. Ludlow to SFB, 5 May 1861, M20. Former: Times, 2g Mar 1863. Shallow: North American Review, Jan 1864, 122, 126. Morse’s telegraphs put/ Orders: Plum, II, 366. On the telegraph in the Civil War see also Bates. The blare/ Skill: SFB to Peter Cooper et al. (copy), 3 Mar 1863, M29. Morse applauded/ See D. Romanoff to SFB, 5 Apr 1862, M20. The vastly long/ Fulfilled: SFB to George Wood (copy), 25 Jun 1864, M26. As the war raged/ Repining: AK to SFB, 27 Dec 1861, M20. Union: AK to SFB, 12 Mar 1863, M21. Pride: see AK’s fourth letter of 22 Feb 1862, Amos Kendall Papers, Library of Congress. Morse and Kendall/ Profitable: Tribune, 5 Dec 1865. Wealthy already/ Words: SFB to T. R. Walker (copy), 16 Mar 1864, M28. Regal: Tribune, 5 Dec 1865. To Morse’s delight/ Evidence: ELM, II, 443. At the time Southern/ Artlessness: SFB to Sarah Morse, 19 Feb 1854, M16. Lela also sometimes appears in Morse’s papers as Leila. Position: SFB to Charles Morse (copy), 10 Jan [185g but misdated 1858], M26. Morse sent his sons/ Remember: SFB to Arthur Morse, [no day] Jul1862, M29. Obedient: SFB to Arthur Morse, 30 Oct 1866, M30; to Arthur Morse, [no day] Jul 1862, M29; to M. Baudoin, 16 Oct 1866, M30. Paths: SFB to E. S. Salisbury, 11 Aug 1865, M21. Forever: SFB to his children, 10 May 1857, M18. Morse’s adult children/ Cares: SFB to Mrs. H. L. Davis (copy), 11 May 1866, M28. Strange: SFB to Finley Morse (copy), 12 Mar 1870, M31. Whales: SFB to Arthur Morse (copy), 6 Sep 1868, M30. Susan, now in her/ Mental: SFB to Edward Lind, 22 Sep 1861, M29. Nervousness: SFB to Charles Lind, ígDec 1867, M30. Suffer: SFB to Edward Lind, 16 Jul 1861, M19. Charles, too/ Sharpers: SFB to SM, 2g Dec 1857, New-York Historical Society. Defect: SFB to Charles Morse (copy), íoJan [185g but misdated 1858], M26. Charles was much/ Easy: SFB to Charles Morse, 8 Jan 1866 and 15 Jun 1863, M29. To Morse’s displeasure/ Manly: SFB to Charles Morse (copy), 7 Oct 1865, M28. Sea: SFB to SM, 8 Aug 1867, XM. Both Charles and his sister/ Favorite: SFB to Charles Morse (copy), 25 Jun 1864, M26. Standing: SFB to “Rev. Dr. Hamill,” 4 Oct 1865, M28. Joy: SFB to Charles Morse, 17 Mar 1866, M28. Esteem: SFB to Charles Lind (copy), 5 Nov 1865, M28. It may have been/ Eyes: SFB to Nathaniel Jocelyn (copy), 20 Jan 1864, M28. Revived: SFB to “Messrs Durand, Ingham & others,” [Mar 1861], M29. Morse’s duties/ Heart: SFB to Daniel Huntington (copy), 26 Dec 1864, M28. Scarcely ten days/ See McKay, 199–201. Spending the summer/ Illiterate: See various letters of SFB in 1863–64, M28 and M29. Brains: SFB to William Goodrich, g Jul 1863, Jacob Eliot Family Papers, Yale University Library. Morse backed McClellan/ Devotion: SFB to A. G. Jennings (copy), 10 Aug 1864, M28. He looked ahead/ Dead: SFB to Edward Lind (copy), 19 Aug 1864, M28. Sealed: SFB to RM (copy), 7 Nov 1864, M28. Throne: SFB to RM (copy), 2g Oct 1864, M28. As the election/ Immortal: N.Y. Express, 5 Nov 1864. Mass: ELM, II, 430–31. The hoopla/ Augur: SFB to [unidentified] (copy), 3 Dec 1864, M28. Enemy: SFB to Charles L. Chaplain, 15 Dec 1864, M28. Morse grieved for/ Applauding: SFB to E. S. Salisbury, 11 Aug 1865, M21. But as Morse soon/ Dark: SFB to Mrs. C. W. Griswold, 22 Sep 1866, M21. Pupils: SFB to RM (copy), 6 Jun 1865, M28. Avoided: SFB to Charles Lind (copy), 25 Nov 1865, M28. A week or so/ Adding: SFB to H. L. Davis (copy), 11 May 1866, M28.
EIGHTEEN: VISIONS OF RECEDING GLORY
It refreshed Morse/ Portrait: SFB to Edward Lind, i Nov 1863, M29. Gewgaws: SFB to his brothers (draft), 18 Jul 1832, M6. The Abrahamic/ Weaned: SFB to RM (copy), 29 Apr 1864, M28. Morse had always/Centre: ELM, II, 454. Cleanest: SFB to John Thompson (copy), 4 Oct 1866, M30. Morse lent himself/ Comfort: SFB to SM (copy), 1 Oct 1866, M30. Morse enjoyed playing/ Evil: SFB to C. W. Griswold (copy), 8 Mar 1867, M30. Using the world/ Peaceable: SFB to Susan Morse (copy), 4 Feb 1867, M30. Indebted: SFB to “Cousin Mother,” [Jan 1867], M30. From Paris, Morse/ Nerves: SFB to Cyrus Field, 12 Mar 1867, M30. Excluded: SFB to SM, 4 Oct 1866, M25. As Morse had planned/ Powers: SFB to SM, 1 Dec 1867, XM. Morse took particular/ Branch: SFB to SM, 16 Aug 1866, XM. Despite the seductions/ Irons: SFB to SM (copy), 27 May 1867, M30. Much other time/ Slander: SFB to SM (copy), 31 Jul 1867, M30. Conclusion: M23, fr. 150. Infamous: see SFB’s annotations in his copy of the History of the Invention of the Electric Telegraph. Abridged from the Works of Lawrence Turnbull, M.D. (1853), Library of Congress. Morse labored to set/ Hands: SFB to Charles Morse (copy), 11 Jul 1868, M30. SFB conceded, however, that Steinheil invented a genuine telegraph—that is, an electromagnetic recording device—in 1836, independent of himself. The two men had stayed friendly over the years. Morse had plenty/ Spot: SFB to SM, 8 Jun 1867, M26. Epitome: ELM, II, 453. Lies: Mattelart, 123. On the Exposition see also Burchell, 123–38, and Levenstein, 90–91. Press reaction/ Supplant: M33, fr. 473. King: Moniteur, 5 Jun 1867. Cry: M22, fr. 243. Excellent photographs of several European adaptations of SFB’s apparatus appear in Bergen. Morse attended the award/ Original: SFB to Sidney Morse, Jr. (copy), 18 Jun 1867, M30. Some Hughes telegraphs were in service in France. Getting started on/ Load: SFB to SM, 31 Jul 1867, Library of Congress. Morse did return/ Exile: SFB to H. G. Ludlow (copy), 30 Mar 1867, M30. Steady: SFB to “Dear Mother” (copy), 27 Feb 1868, M30. Never: ELM, II, 464. Although more than a quarter/ Proof: M33, fr. 474. Emperor: N.Y. Herald, 18 Nov 1870. On SFB’s telegraph in China see Baark, 80 ff., and Headrick, 57. Morse’s globe-circling/ Express: Horace Baker to SFB, 27 Mar 1871, M23. Four months later/ Mental: RM to Richard C. Morse, 25 Sep 1856, Clements Library, University of Michigan. Valley: SFB to SM, 26 Sep 1868, M26. The political situation/ Prison: SFB to “Col. Leslie,” 2 Nov 1868, M30. Even occasions/ Affairs: N.Y. Times, 30 Dec 1868. See also the many newspaper clippings about the event in M34. But the regal blowout/ On Western Union and the government see Thompson and Lindley. Morse’s recollections/ Decoy: N.Y. Herald, 30 Dec 1868 and 1 Jan 1869. Bennett argued that the telegraph was too powerful an instrument to be wielded by a monopoly, which could use it to rule the press and the country’s business in general. Whether Morse understood/ Advantage: SFB to AK, 19 Mar 1866, M28. Basket: SFB to SM, 25 Jan 1867, M30. Morse’s hefty report/ Task: SFB to W P. Blake (copy), 4 Feb 1869, M31. Disputed: SFB to RM (copy), 25 Mar 1867, M30. Morse’s claim, however/ Truth: SFB to A. S. Manton, 7 Apr 1862, M29. Opinion: SFB to David Burbank, 30 Mar 1860, M27. System: SFB to Denison Cheseboro, 22 Aug 185g, M27. Sound: SFB to Edwin F Reynolds, 22 Mar 1860, M27. Morse completed/ Implies: W. P. Blake to SFB, 5 Aug 1869, M23. Radical: W P. Blake to SFB, 21 Aug 1869, M23. Morse conceded/ Weakly: SFB to W P. Blake (draft), 8 Aug 1869, M23. Father: SFB to AK (draft), 16 Sep 1868, M30. In August, having/ Filthy: SFB to Arthur Morse (copy), 7 Apr 1867, M30. Rowdies: SFB to J. R. Leslie, 10 Sep 1868, M30. That August, Arthur/ Depressed: SFB to SM (copy), 14 Aug 1869, M31. Anxiety: SFB to William Morse (copy), 31 Dec 1869, M31. Secret: SFB to the Linds (copy), 17 Jan 1870, M31. Morse worried that/Rinks: SFB to William Morse (copy), g Nov 1869, M31. Grief: SFB to William Morse (copy), 21 Feb 1870, M31. Strong: SFB to Adele Roch (copy), 17 Jul 1870, M31. In November 1869/ Marriage: Shoptaugh, 381. Kendall had been/ Skill: SFB to William Stickney (copy), 12 Nov 1869, M31. The record/ Arm: SFB to John Thompson, 3 Mar 1871, M23. Morse tried to keep/ Rouze: SFB to J. Scudder, 8 Jul 1868, NYU Archives, Bobst Library, New York University. Sunburnt: SFB to Arthur Morse (copy), 26 Jun 1868, M30; SFB to S. B. Bostwick, 22 Jan 1870, M31. For many years/ Venerable: M34, fr. 308. Manifested: SFB to the Linds (copy), 21 Jan 1871, M31. Western Union got/ Globe: ELM, II, 484. Bryant at first had been unwilling to speak, resentful of Morse’s Copperhead politics during the Civil War. Responses to Morse’s/ On the two statue ceremonies see accounts in ELM; Hearth and Home, 1 Jul 1871; Journal of the Telegraph, 15 Jun 1871; P; and Leila Morse Rummel, TS “Souvenirs of Samuel F. B. Morse,” Archives of American Art. From the beginning of commercial service, the industry had employed a few women as operators. Their number increased greatly during the Civil War, when they replaced male operators who entered the military. By 1870 there were some 350 women operators, about 4 percent of the total. See Jepsen. The tribute left Morse/ Strange: SFB to the Linds (copy), 14 Jun 1871, M31. Filled: Amanda Vail to John Horn, 6 Aug 1871, V-NYHS. Amanda Vail confronted/ See Amanda Vail’s MS account of her visit, 12 Jun 1871, V-NYHS, and the TS copy of her “My interview with Professor Morse,” V In two of Morse’s/ Projected: see F. O. J. Smith, History Getting Right on the Invention of the American Electro-Magnetic Telegraph [n.d.], 3. Frauds: HOR to L. W. Case, 12 Feb and g Nov 1872, V-NYHS. During the war HOR also edited a collection of antislavery tracts. Fog Smith needed/ Heartless: Gaffney, 488. Divided: FOJS to Amanda Vail, 2g Aug 1870, V-NYHS. Sordid: FOJS to L. W Case, 2 Oct 1871, V-NYHS. Vail was not through/ Gross: FOJS to L. W. Case, 18 Oct 1871, V-NYHS. Pedestal: FOJS, History Getting Right, 5. The results of this/ Spirit: SFB to Adiel Sharwood (copy), 3 Jan 1872, M31. Began: unidentified newspaper clipping headed “Professor Morse’s Funeral,” Box 16, Y It was in this/ Invented: M34, fr. 171. Spite: SFB to Leonard Gale, 25 Jan 1872, M31. Killed: Henry Rogers to Amanda Vail, 4 Apr 1873, V Guilty: FOJS to Amanda Vail, ígJul 1872, V-NYHS. In February/Vile: SFB to Aspinwall Hodge (copy), 26 Feb 1872, M31. See Great Industries, 1238–46. Case again and again/ See the correspondence between SFB and Case, M23. February brought another/ Retracted: M34, fr. 173. During the same few/Welfare: SFB to Howard Parmele (copy), 29 Jan 1872, M31. Liquor: SFB to William Morse (copy), 28 Feb 1872, M31. Ill and besieged/ Screw: SFB to Charles Morse (copy), 11 Jul 1868, M30. Now, having given/Anxiety: SFB to J. P. Lindsay (copy), 22 Jan 1872, M31. See account of Lindsay in M34, fr. 172. In March, Morse/ Atrocious: SFB to F. J. Mead (copy), 14 Mar 1872, M31. According to his/SFB’s death certificate is at the Samuel Morse Historic Site, Poughkeepsie. Others also/ Attack: M34, fr. 172. Overload: FOJS to Amanda Vail, 3 Apr 1872, V-NYHS.
CODA: 1872–2000
The encomia/ Golden Age, 13 Apr 1872. On April 5/ Memorial, 238. The most imposing/ California: Memorial, 1 g3–g4. The often cruel/ Resolved: Amanda Vail to C. H. Adams (copy), 18 Oct 1888, V-NYHS. The feud survived/ Daughter: Unidentified newspaper clipping of 1 Apr 1891, scrapbook entitled “Correspondence relating to Alfred Vail’s connection with the Electric Telegraph,” V. See also Cavanaugh, 56. By that time/ Desire: Susan Morse to SFB, 18 Jun 1841, M7. Supposed: Times, 8 Dec 1885. Morse’s son Charles/ See New Orleans Times-Picayune, 28 Jun 1900; New Orleans Health Department Death Certificates, vol. 122. Of Morse’s four children/ Crushing: Daily Picayune, 18 and 19 Jul 1876. Morse’s lightning survived/ On the centenary celebration see the documents and scrapbooks assembled by Leila Morse, Columbia University Library. In the new millennium/ On the present state of telegraphy see the current journal Morsum Magnificat; T. King, Modern Morse Code; and Morsels, the newsletter of the Morse 2000 Worldwide Outreach.