THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
MORSE, SAMUEL F. B. Autograph document signed (in the heading), a statement of expenses for the first telegraph line, n.p., c. 10 April 1843. 3 pages, oblong folio, 320 x 400mm. (12 11/16 x 15 3/4 in.), neatly written on ledger paper neatly ruled in red into columns.
Details
MORSE, SAMUEL F. B. Autograph document signed (in the heading), a statement of expenses for the first telegraph line, n.p., c. 10 April 1843. 3 pages, oblong folio, 320 x 400mm. (12 11/16 x 15 3/4 in.), neatly written on ledger paper neatly ruled in red into columns.
BUILDING THE FIRST TELEGRAPH LINE
A revealing document which records expenditures for many key components in the early construction of the first telegraph line between Washington D.C. and Baltimore. The document is boldly headed by Morse "United States in account with Samuel F.B. Morse." Beneath are 15 entries dated from 31 March to 8 April totalling $285; overleaf are a further six entries up to April 10, for a grand total of $711. The first entry under March 31st is for "travelling expenses of self at 10 cents per mile from New York to Baltimore and Washington to survey and locate the Telegraph line & negotiate with Rail Road Company." Instead of purchasing right-of-way land for the telegraph line, Morse contracted with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad to lay his line along the railroad trackway, initiating a long cooperation between telegraph and railroads. Morse's other entries record vouchers for simple office equipment, stationery and sealing wax, "a lock for Office door," sulphuric acid, "tools for work," and "6 lbs Copper wire" of various sizes, probably the conductor through which the signals were to be transmitted. On 8 April, the inventor's purchase of a small quantity of platimum wire "for galvanic [electrical] connections" (most likely for use in the transmitting and receiving terminals) is noted, and the 10 April entries are for the monthly salaries of Morse ($166) and Professors Fisher and Gale, who are described as "assistants."
After several modifications to the line, the first telegraph was completed in May 1844 and the first message, "What hath God wrought?" successfully transmitted from Washington to Baltimore on 24 May 1844, marking the first use of any form of electronic communication.
BUILDING THE FIRST TELEGRAPH LINE
A revealing document which records expenditures for many key components in the early construction of the first telegraph line between Washington D.C. and Baltimore. The document is boldly headed by Morse "United States in account with Samuel F.B. Morse." Beneath are 15 entries dated from 31 March to 8 April totalling $285; overleaf are a further six entries up to April 10, for a grand total of $711. The first entry under March 31st is for "travelling expenses of self at 10 cents per mile from New York to Baltimore and Washington to survey and locate the Telegraph line & negotiate with Rail Road Company." Instead of purchasing right-of-way land for the telegraph line, Morse contracted with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad to lay his line along the railroad trackway, initiating a long cooperation between telegraph and railroads. Morse's other entries record vouchers for simple office equipment, stationery and sealing wax, "a lock for Office door," sulphuric acid, "tools for work," and "6 lbs Copper wire" of various sizes, probably the conductor through which the signals were to be transmitted. On 8 April, the inventor's purchase of a small quantity of platimum wire "for galvanic [electrical] connections" (most likely for use in the transmitting and receiving terminals) is noted, and the 10 April entries are for the monthly salaries of Morse ($166) and Professors Fisher and Gale, who are described as "assistants."
After several modifications to the line, the first telegraph was completed in May 1844 and the first message, "What hath God wrought?" successfully transmitted from Washington to Baltimore on 24 May 1844, marking the first use of any form of electronic communication.