Morse's patent : full exposure of Dr. Chas. T. Jackson's pretensions to the invention of the American electro-magnetic telegraph / by Amos Kendall.

  • Amos Kendall
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Morse's patent : full exposure of Dr. Chas. T. Jackson's pretensions to the invention of the American electro-magnetic telegraph / by Amos Kendall. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

    19/64
    Although Prof. Morse in his reply to the Post article in May, 1839, said: I have a letter from each of them (Rives, Fisher, and Pell) asserting, unequivocally, my exclusive claims to the in- vention, and one of them at least has expressed not only surprise, but indignation at the reference made to him by Dr. Jackson; although some of these were published in Vail's book as early as 1845; a.nd although Dr. Jackson had written to Mr. Rives with- out receiving an answer; and having written Mr. Fisher, had received an answer disproving his pretentions; yet, in his letter to House in 1848, he refers to the same witnesses in the follow- ing words, viz : I would suggest that you should consult the passengers in the Sully, who were present at the time I communicated my plan to Mr. Morse. The names of the passengers can doubtless be learn- ed by consulting the newspapers of November, 1832. Mr. J. F. Fisher, of Philadelphia, Mr. Rives, of Virginia, (Mr. R. was Mr. Morse's friend and patron,) two young gentlemen of New York, by the name of Palmer, and Capt. Win. Pell, were present during part of the conversation, and may, perhaps, remember something about it. In his Boston deposition, Dr. Jackson says : During part of this conversation, Mr. Rives and Mr. Fisher were present, and two Messrs. Palmers of New York, and Capt. Wm. Pell. They were present at the beginning of the conversation and heard a considerable portion of it. Now, let us see what the testimony of these witnesses whom Dr. Jackson invokes, really is. On the 28th August, 1837, Prof. Morse addressed a circular letter to the Hon. W. C. Rives, Capt. Wm. W. Pell, J. Francis Fisher, Est]., Charles C. Palmer, Esq., and Dr. Charles T. Jackson. ]n this circular he said : My object in writting you is, to ask whether you remember my conversing on the subject of the Electric Telegraph, as my invention, when a passen-er with you on board the sphip .Sully in the month of October, 1832. Mr. Fisher answered under date of September 19th, 1837, and said : I certainly recollect many conversations with you on the sub- ject of an Electric Telegraph during our voyage from Europe in the Sully in Oclober, 1832. •' | ;,m at any time ready to give my certificate, that you pro- posed and were occupied about the details of an Electric Tele- craph at the time referred to. Wishing you all success in this as well as every other occupation, and that the establishment of your lame lor this invention may be as extensive as it is deserved, j remain, &c.