The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-20
THE MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH.

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the subject fteegraphc communications in its fullest
tent made available by of this extraordinary in
venton, is forcing itself upon the attention OF the public
The Propetors Of the patent right securing the exclusive
right telegraph have since the last Congress- taken
the most active to establish lines of mmuacu
ton between the principal cities OF the Union Their
cess will introduce means of communicating intelligence
superior despatch those OF the public mails and
to itself much of the business that has heretofore
been transacted through them and to that extent diminish
the of the department "-Posmaer Generals Re
port.
We concur with the Postmaster General in
the description which he has given of this
extraordinary invention. 1t is decidedly one
of the most singular and brilliant discoveries
and signs Of the progress of the age. No man
now venture to calculate its importance, or set
bounds the consequences which destined pro-
duce. II is said that steam 'annhates both space
and time" What term, then, be supposed too ex
travagant to describe the rapdityofthe communication
ofthe electric wres' 1t surpasscs merely the rapid
car which Darwin predicted in his fine phrenzy' sew
era years before it invented but it outstps the
wind itself It's "as quick lightning" 1t conveys,
almost in moment, the most important intelligence
from Boston to Washington. We already forcsee
the revolution it is about to produce in military ope.
raons well as in the movements Of the press. In
fact, no man can now pretend to estimate the re-
suits Of this mighty discovery, which has been intro.
duccd by Professor Morse and his remarkable in
vention.
We shall keep our eyes open to this wonderful
improvement, and shall trace it, step by step, to its
rapid advancement With view Of asceraining the
present stage of its progress, we haye addressed
a letter of inquiry to Mr.. Kendall, of this city, and
we are indebted to him for the following commune
cation. Our bosoms swell with pride when we rec
ollect that this step in the progress of society, like
the steamboat, is also .american'
WAsHINeroN, Dec. Goth, ls45
To the Editor Of The Union: r.
DEAR SIN: In compliance with your request,
take pleasure in stating the prepar ttions made for
the extension Of M0rse's electromagnetic telegraph
in the United States.
A company was organized last spring to construct
continuous line from New York to Washington,
the first object of which was to put up two wires
from New York to Philadelphia. Owing to Difficult.
ties as to right Of way, they were much delayed,
and for that reason and Others were compelled to
take circuitous route about $50 miles in length. II
is complete, except about thirty miles, upon
which the posts up; and the wires being put
up by two parties, one at each end. Arrangements
have recently been made to extend this line to Bai-
more as rapidly as it can be put up.
Another company organized soon after the
former, to construct line from the city of New
York to the city of Buffalo The entire line from
Albany to Buffalo was put under contract early last
fall, and is nearly completed, with two wires.
An arrangement was made in November for the
construction of line from New York to Boston.
The work on the eastern end has progressed with
great rapidty. The holes are dug to Springfield,
and probably further, and the posts are up on
greater part of that distance.
Early in the summer, an arrangement was made
having in view the construction Of line westward
from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, and st. Louis,
been raised to carry the line Pittsburg it is built
from Harrisburg to Lancaster, and is going up rap
idly from that point to Philadelphia
A line of thirty eight miles from Buffalo to Lock-
port, is in successful operation.
A line from Boston TO Lowell, about twenty-five
miles, is nearly completed.
Lines are contracted for, leading from -
to Oswego, from Auburn to lthica, and branching
thence to Bnghampton, Owego and -.
Lines are nearly completed from New York and
Boston, down to the offng of those ports.
Preliminary arrangements are made with the
view Of pushing line through from Washington to
New Orleans, operations to commence early in the
spring.
Many other routes are bespoke, with view to
construction next year.
We encounter some unforeseen difficulties, and
have been much disappointed by erroneous esti-
mates as to the time requisite to build these lines;
but nothing has occurred to shake the perfect conf
donce entertained to the practicabity and profit
of this great enterprise
If any more detailed information is desired by you,
it will be given with great pleasure.
With high regard, yours, &C.,
AMOS KENDALL