[Rarebooks] FS: Fine Samuel Morse Letter with mention of the first significant North American submarine telegraph cable

[Charles Agvent]

MORSE, Samuel F. B.  AUTOGRAPHED LETTER SIGNED (ALS) mentioning the 
laying of the first significant North American submarine telegraph cable

Poughkeepsie 17 July 1855. A fine one-page AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED to B. 
B. Minor. An important letter touching as it does on two significant 
events in the life of Morse, the controversy of his "Defense" and the 
laying of the first significant North American submarine telegraph 
cable. From 1852 onwards Morse had to contend with allegations against 
the priority he claimed for the invention of the electro-magnetic 
telegraph, including the accusation of Dr. Charles Jackson who said he 
had provided uncredited information to Morse while fellow passengers on 
a ship. Morse was deeply preoccupied by the slur on his good name. Among 
other initiatives he solicited eye witness accounts from other 
passengers, including the one discussed at length in this letter. Morse 
was the Electrician for the company that was the initiator of the 
Atlantic Cable, and this letter shows that this was not merely an 
honorary position. He set off for Newfoundland about two weeks after 
this letter. The Newfoundland to Nova Scotia cable referred to in the 
letter failed in 1855 but was successfully completed in the summer of 
1856. By linking the Newfoundland end of the Atlantic Cable to Nova 
Scotia, news could be transmitted to the United States via the Nova 
Scotia telegraph line and its U.S. connections. In another letter, Morse 
claimed that this Cape Ray to Cape Breton cable, "about 60 miles 
submarine telegraph" as described in the present letter, was the first 
substantial submarine cable to be laid. About 175 words, SIGNED as "Sam. 
F. B. Morse." Normal creases from folding. Fine with superb content. 
$5000.00
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