Description:

One of Morse's first monthly bills to the United States Government for Constructing the Telegraph! – Morse's signed retained copy, completely in his hand

Autograph Document Signed "S.F.B. Morse. Sup. Elec. Mag. Tel.," 1p, 8" x 12.5". New York, July 10, 1843. "Copy 4th Report / Abstract C. of exp. On acct of Labor for Elec. Mag. Telegraph / for month ending July 10th 1843." Fine condition.

Eight different employees are listed to be paid their wages. From Morse's journals we learn that Ebenezer Chase ($82.50) was paid to supervise the covering the telegraph wire with cotton twine. His son, E.E. Chase was paid $7.50 per 6-day week to solder and cover the joints of the wire. A boy named Michael Quinn was paid $1.25 per week. Benjamin F. Taylor was paid $7 and Lewis O. Wood $6 per week to assist in the soldering and covering because of an additional machine put in operation by Chase. Gilbert Smith was working on an embossing register that would record the dots and dashes on paper tape.

On March 3, 1843, "An act to test the practicability of establishing a system of electro magnetic telegraphs by the United States" passed both Houses of Congress and was signed into law by Pres. John Tyler. It appropriated $30,000 for "constructing a line of said electro-magnetic telegraphs, under the superintendence of Professor Samuel F.B. Morse ƒ and that the same shall be expended, under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury upon the application of said Morseƒ" The Secretary of the Treasury was authorized to pay Morse "and the persons employed under himƒ"

This was Morse's 4th monthly report, following April, May, and June 1843. When the construction of his telegraph was completed, on May 24, 1844, Morse sent the telegraph message "What hath God wrought?" from the Supreme Court chamber in the Capitol in Washington, D.C., to the B & O Railroad Depot in Baltimore.

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