The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-30
MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH.
New YoRK, Jan. 20, 1886.
To the Editor Of the Union,

To the Editor Of the Unions
DEAR STA: knowing the interest you feel in the
success Of Morse's electromagnetic telegraph, Il
gives pleasure TO state that It works beautifully
on line OF more than hundred miles, from Phil
adelphia TO Newark and, on one occasion, has been
worked from Philadelphia to Fort Lee, distance OF
about one hundred and thirty miles. There is not
doubt left that it may be worked with perfect sue
cess across the continent
We have, however, some minor difficulties 10
overcome. The late storms Of freezing rain
loaded our wires with lee, and broke them in
several places. Although these breaks will be-
come ess frequent the defective places give way
after another, yet it is Appreciated they will
not cease altogether so long we use a single
small copper wire. But we know how 10 get such
strength that the telegraph shall communicate
through a storm which shall stop everything else.
An iron wire, or a triple cord Of iron wire, iron
and copper combined, will give us strength which
the weather will not break, and the messenger we
control shall fly through the driving snow, the pour
ing rain, and the rafting hail. with the swiness and
serenity Of winged spirit. This is the end at
which we aim; the means are within our reach; u
shall be accomplished.
In the mean time, we shall establish such on in
specton along our line, that all breaks will be i'm
mediatsy mended, so that operations shall, in no
event, be suspended more than few hours at a
time. BY simple contriysnce, II can be ascer-
tanned at as many points on the line rs desirable,
whether the wires be broken or not, and the spot
may be Identified within a few miles. Without
waiting TO perfect those arrangements, however, we
propose to open the line for business in a day or
two, and proceed to perfect it by degrees.
We stop for the present at Newark, New Jersey,
ten miles from New York, not having succeeded in
crossing the river. Such is the affinity Of the sub
tie power we employ to earth and water, that il is
difficult to make il pass any distance through either
by any guards which science knows how TO place
around 1t. Keep 1t in the air, and it will follow your
wire around the globe but bring it in contact with
earth WATER and it escapes as if seeking its home
in the Of the earth, and the coral depths Of
the ocean. We must ask science to teach US how
to stretch wires in safety, aloft in the air and a
mile in length or we must beg commerce to permit
to raise pillars beside her path which to erect
tiny bridge for our invisible messengers. We
cannot try experiments for projectors; but he who
can and ,oiH take the North river without
erecting supports in the river ITSELF and in such a
manner as shall promise durability, will entte
himself to liberal compensation.
In hasty letter to you some time ago not in
tended for publication though had no objection to
it, stated the length of our line at $50 miles. 1t
should have been about lao. We hope at no distant
day 10 make it still shorter without Withdrawing the
proposed accommodation from any village through
which it now passes.
This letter is written for publication if you think
proper to give it place in the Union.
With high consideration, your obedient servant,
AMOS KENDALL.