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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC04503.05 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of letters of Samuel F. B. Morse to Edward P. Fry concerning the New York - Philadelphia telegraph |
| Title | Samuel F. B. Morse to Edward P. Fry regarding the business aspects of the telegraph |
| Date | 1 January 1869 |
| Author | Morse, Samuel Finley Breese (1791-1872) |
| Recipient | Fry, Edward P. |
| Document Type | Correspondence; Business and financial document |
| Content Description | Replies to Fry's request for his memories of events occurring in 1844. Morse states that " ... with my feeble memory in regard to the details, I fear I can give you but little satisfaction." Remembers negotiating with Amos Kendall to have him put in control of the business aspects of the telegraph. Believes that Fry is correct in saying that Fry was the first to attempt to form a company to extend the telegraph line from Philadelphia to New York. Concurs that he was obstructed from doing this by those ruling Wall Street at the time. Comments that he does not remember the details of their agreement, only that it was abandoned. Asks Fry to send a copy of a letter Morse sent to Fry dated 10 July 1844 in which Morse states that the US Government could purchase the telegraph invention for $100,000, so that he may have proof that the government had a chance to own the telegraph for such a small fee. Addressed to Fry in Philadelphia. |
| Subjects | Telegraph Science and Technology Invention Inventor Finance Business and Finance Infrastructure Government and Civics |
| People | Morse, Samuel Finley Breese (1791-1872) Fry, Edward P. (fl. 1844-1870) Kendall, Amos (1789-1869) |
| Place written | New York, New York |
| Theme | Science, Technology, Invention; Government & Politics |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | Morse is credited with inventing the telegraph and Morse code. In 1844, he sent the first telegraphic message, from Baltimore to Washington, D.C. He was also an accomplished artist and politician. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |