Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-11-22
The First TeIeCrauhio mess.pe.

Professor Morse now returned to his native
land from Europe, and proceeded Immediately
to Washington, where he renewed his endeavors
to procure the passage Of the bill granting The
appropriation of thirty-thousand dollars. To-
wards the close OF the session of 1914 the
House of Representatives took it up and pass
ed it by a large majority, and it only remained
for the action Of the Senate. It's progress
through this House, as might be supposed, was
watched with the most intense anxiety by Pro-
fessor Morse. There were only two DAYS be.
fore the close of the session, and it was found,
on examination of the calendar, no less than
one hundred and fortythree bills had prece-
dence Of it. Professor Morse had nearly reach
ed the bottom of his purse; his hard-earned
savings were almost spent and, although he
had struggled on with undying hope for many
years, it is hardly to be wondered at if he felt
dlsheartened now. On the last night of the
session he remained till nine O'Clock, and then
left without the slightest hope that The bill
would be passed. He returned to his hotel
counted his money, and found that after paying
his expenses to New York he would have
seventy.hve cents left. That night he went to
bed sad, but not without hope for the future,
for, through all his difficulties and trials, thai
never forsook him. The next morning. as he
was going TO breakfast, one Of the waters in
formed him that a young lady was in the par.
Tor waiting to see him. He went in immedi
ately, and found that the young lady was Miss
Ellsworth, daughter Of the COMMISSIONS oil
Patents, who had been his most steadfast
friend while in Washington.
II come" said she, "to congratulate YOU
"For what" said Professor Morse.
ION the passage of your bill" she replied.
20, no; you must be mistaken said he,
" remained in the Senate till a late hour last
night, and there was no prospect Of its being
reached
"Am j the first, Them she exclaimed, Joy.
fully, "to tell you ?"
"1es, if it is really so.'
"Well," she continued, father remained till
the adjournment, and heard it passed, and |
asked him if might not run over and tell
YOU
"Annie," said the Professor, his emotion al
most choking his utterance, " Annie, the first
message that is sent from Washington to Balti.
more shall be sent from YOU
We'll" she replied, " win keep you to your
word.n
While the line was in process Of completion
Professor Morse was in New York, and, upon
receiving intelligence that it was in working
order, he wrote TO those in charge, telling
them not to transmit any messages over it till
his arrival. He then set out Immediately for
Washington, and on reaching that city sent a
note to Miss Ellsworth, informing her that he
was now ready TO fulfil his promise, and asking
her what message he should send.
To this he received the following reply
",What hath God straightforward that ought
10 be written in characters of living light.
The message was twice repeated, and each
time with the greatest success. As soon as
the result of the experiment was made known
Gov. Seymour, Of Connecticut, who is at pres.
ent United States Minister TO st. Petersburg,
called upon Professor Morse and claimed the
first message for his State, on the ground that
Miss Ellsworth was n native Of Hartford.
We need scarcely add that his claim was ad.
mitted, and now, engraved in letters OF gold,
i is displayed conspicuously in the archives Of
the Historical Society OF Connecticut.