The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-10-30
J}lisrrllut1rallg.
The First Telegraph Message.


The following, from an exchange paper, gives
description Of the circumstances connected
with the successful termination OF Profrsso,
MorSe's efforts to establish the electric telegraph
with the occasion for the transmission of the
first telegraph message that passed over its
wires:
He now returned to his native land from
Europe, and proceeded immediately to Wash
inston, where he renewed his cndeavor to pro-
cure the passage of the bill granting the appro-
priation ofs3O,OOO. Toward the close Of the
session Of 1914, the House Of Representatives
took it up and passed it by a large majority,
and it only remained for the action Of the Senate
Its progress through this house. as might BE-
supposed, was watched with the most intense
anxiety by Professor Morse. There were only
two days before the close of the session and it
was found, on examination Of the calendar no
less than one hundred and forty.threc bills had
precedence to it.
Prof Morse had nearly reached 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 Se
wondered at If he felt dishcartcncd now. On
the last night of the session lie remained till 6
o'clock, and then left without the slightest hope
that the billwould be passed. He returned to
his hotel counted his money, and fund that
after paying his expenses to New York, he would
have seventy five cents left. That night he went
to bed sud, but not without hope for the
future. for through all his difficulties and trials
that never fursook him. The next morning as he
was going to beakf;st, one Of the walters inform
ed him that a young lady was in the paror
waiting to see him. He went in Immediately,
and found that the young lady was Miss Ellis
worth daughter of the Commissioner Of Patent,
who had been his most Steadiast friend while in
Washington.
Il come, said she to congratulate YOU
'For whatn said Prof. Morse.
On the passage of your BILL she replied.
Oh no; YOU must be mistaken" said he. i
remained in the Senator Till Il late hour last
night, and there WAS no prospect Of its being
reached
sAm the first tlcu she exclaimed joyfully, to
tell you!'
Yes if it is really So
well she continued, father remained till the
adjournment. and heard 1t passed, and | asked
him if might not run over and tdt YOU,
Annie said the Professor, his emotion almost
choking his uttcrance Annie the first message
that is sent from Washington to Baltimore
shall he sent from vou-,- .----.- ---
WELL she replied, 4 will keep you t" your
word
While the line WIS in process Of complexion.
Prof MORSE was in New York, and upon rcccv'
ing intelligence that it was in working order,
he wrote to those in charge, telling them not to
transmit any message over it until his arrival.
lie than set out immediately for Washington
and on reaching that city sent note to Mss
Ellsworth, informing her that h" was now ready
to fulfil his promise and asked her what message
he should send
10 this he received the following rcp'y:'N hat
hath God wrougl?- words that ought to he
written in characters ofliving light. The message
WAS twice repeated, and each time with the
greatest success. As soon rs the result oil the
experiment was made known, Gov Seymour, OF
Connecticut, who is at present United States
Minister to St. Petersburg called upon Prot,
Morse, and claimed the first message for ms
State, on The ground that Miss Ellsworth wa> a
native of Hartford. We need scarcely add
that his claim was admitted, and now engraved
in letters Of GOLD, it is displayed conSpcuouSly
in the archives Of the Historical Society Of
Connecticut.