UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 ILLINOIS LIBRARY 
 
 AJ URBANA-CHAMEAIS.' 
 
 CollacHorti 
 
 Rare Book & Spsdd 
 Collections Library

 
 -J 
 
 DESCRIPTIO 
 
 AMERICAN 
 
 ELECTRO MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH: 
 
 NOW IN OPERATION BETWEEN THE CITIES OF 
 
 WASHINGTON AND BALTIMORE 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY FOURTEEN WOOD ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 BY ALFRED VAIL, 
 
 ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF ELEC. MAG. TEL. FOR THE U. S. 
 
 " The same principle which justified and demanded the transference of the mail on many chief 
 routes, from the horse-drawn coach on common highways to steam-impelled vehicles on land and 
 water, is equally potent to warrant the calling of the electro magnetic telegraph that last and most 
 wondrous birth of this wonder-teeming age in aid of the post office, in discharge of its great func- 
 tion of rapidly transmitting correspondence and intelligence." 
 
 REP. OF COM. OF WAYS AND MEANS OF H. R., 1845. 
 
 COPY RIGHT SECURED 
 
 WASHINGTON: 
 
 PRINTED BY J. & G. S. GIDEON 
 1845.
 
 THE 
 
 ELECTRO MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH, 
 
 THE GALVANIC BATTERY. 
 
 THE galvanic battery, the generator of that subtle fluid, which performs 
 so important a part in the operation of the Electro Magnetic Telegraph, is 
 as various in its form and arrangement, as the variety of purposes to which 
 it is applied. They all, however, involve the same principle. It is not our 
 design here to describe the various modes of constructing it, but to confine 
 our remarks more immediately to that used for the Telegraph. 
 
 The effects produced by the galvanic fluid upon the metallic bodies, 
 iron and steel, exciting in them the power of attraction or magnetism, its 
 decomposing effects upon liquids, resolving them into their simple elements, 
 its effects upon the animal system, in producing a spasmodic and sudden 
 irritation, are generally well known. But of the character of the fluid itself, 
 its own essence or substance, we know nothing. In some of its phenomena, 
 it resembles the electricity of the heavens ; both find a conductor in the 
 metals ; both exhibit a spark, and both are capable of producing shocks, or 
 when applied, cause the animal system to be sensible to them. Again, in 
 other of its phenomena it is totally unlike it. The galvanic fluid is essen- 
 tially necessary in producing the electro magnet; while the electricity of the 
 heavens, or as it is generally termed, machine electricity, has no such power 
 for practical purposes. The foimer is more dense, so to speak, and more 
 easily confined to its conductors, while the latter becomes dissipated and lost 
 in the atmosphere long before it has reached the opposite extremity of a long 
 conductor. The former is continuous in its supply ; while the latter is at 
 irregular intervals. The former always needs a continuous conductor; 
 while the latter will pass from one metallic conductor to another without that 
 connection. The latter would not subserve the purposes required in the 
 working of the Electro Magnetic Telegraph, and as it is neither essential nor 
 antagonistical, its presence upon the galvanic conductors or wires, at the
 
 time those wires are being used for telegraphic communication, does 
 JJn no way interrupt or confuse its operation ; and its presence is only known 
 9from the suddenness of its discharge at long intervals, accompanied by a 
 {^bright spark, with a loud crack, like that of a coachman's whip. 
 
 The most simple mode of developing the galvanic fluid is in the follow- 
 ing manner :' if a common glass tumbler is two-thirds rilled with dilute mu- 
 riatic acid, and a piece of bright zinc, five inches long and one inch wide, 
 immersed in the liquid, at one of its ends, slight action will be discovered upon 
 it. If a slip of copper be then taken, of the same dimensions, and one end 
 immersed in the liquid, but separated from that portion of the zinc im- 
 mersed, and not permitted to touch it ; and the two projecting ends of the 
 zinc and copper, above the liquid be brought in contact, an active decompo- 
 sition of the muriatic acid will appear. 
 
 While the two outer ends are in contact, there is that current formed in 
 the metallic plates, which is termed galvanic. If the contact is broken, the 
 action ceases; if it is again renewed, the action is recommenced. Another 
 very simple experiment, and within the power of every one to demonstrate 
 for themselves, is that of applying a piece of zinc to the underside of the 
 tongue, and to the upperside, a silver coin, and then by bringing their pro- 
 jecting ends in contact, a sensible and curious effect is experienced upon the 
 tongue. It is a feeble galvanic shock, and is proof of the presence of that 
 fluid termed galvanic. 
 
 We will now proceed to describe the battery used for telegraphic purposes ; 
 the same in principle, but in arrangement more complicated, and far more 
 powerful, than those in common use. Two distinct acids are employed; 
 two metals and two vessels. Each part will be described separately, and 
 then the whole, as put together ready for use. 
 
 First. A glass tumbler of the ordinary size is used, or about three inches 
 high and two inches and three quarters in diameter. 
 
 Second. The zinc cylinder, made of the purest zinc, and cast in an iron 
 mould, represented by figure 1. 
 
 FIG. 1.
 
 It is three inches high, and two inches in diameter. The shell I is three- 
 eighths of an inch in thickness. D is an opening in the cylinder, parallel 
 with its axis, and is of no other use than to aid in the operation of casting 
 them, and facilitating ftie access of the fluid to the interior. A A repre- 
 sents the body of the cylinder. B is a projecting arm, first rising vertically 
 from the shell, and then projecting horizontally one and three-quarters of 
 an inch. To this arm, at C, is soldered a platinum plate of the thickness 
 of tin foil, and hanging vertically from the arm B, as seen at O ? and of the 
 form as shown in the figure. This constitutes the zinc cylinder and plati- 
 num plate, the two metals used in the battery. 
 
 Third. The porous cup. To avoid an erroneous impression in the use 
 of the term porous, it will suffice to state, that it is a cup of the form repre- 
 sented by figure 2, 
 
 FIG. 2. 
 
 made of the same materials as stone- ware, and baked without being glazed.* 
 A represents the rim surrounding the top. From the under side of the rim 
 to the bottom, it is three inches long, and one and one-quarter in diameter. 
 The rim projects one-quarter of an inch, and the shell of the cup is one- 
 eighth of an inch thick. 
 
 These several parts are placed together thus. The porous cup, fig. 2, is 
 set in the hollow of the zinc cylinder, fig. 1, represented by H, with the 
 rim of the cup resting upon the top of the zinc at I. The zinc cylinder is 
 then placed in the glass tumbler. The whole is represented in figure 3. 
 
 FIG. 3. 
 
 *These are made at the American Pottery, in Jersey (5ity, opposite New York.
 
 D represents the porous cup, F the zinc cylinder, G the glass tumbler, 
 A the projecting arm of the zinc, C the platinum plate, and B the over- 
 lapping of the platinum plate upon the zinc arm, where it is soldered to it. 
 
 It is now in a condition to receive the acids, which are two : first, pure 
 nitric acid, and second, sulphuric acid, diluted in the proportion of one part 
 of sulphuric acid to twelve of water. First fill the porous cup with the 
 nitric acid, to within one-quarter of an inch of the top; then fill the glass 
 with the diluted sulphuric acid, till it reaches to a level with the nitric acid 
 in the porous cup. One glass of the battery is now ready for use, and as 
 all the other members of the battery are similarly constructed, (there being 
 many or few, as circumstances require,) and are to be prepared and filled 
 with their appropriate acids in the same manner, the above description will 
 suffice. There remains, however, some further explanation in regard to the 
 extremities of the series of glasses, that is, the mode of connecting the zinc 
 of the first glass with the wire leading from it, and also the mode of connect- 
 ing the platinum of the last glass with the wire leading from that end of the 
 series of glasses. Figure 4 represents their arrangement. 
 
 FIG. 4. 
 
 
 The glasses being all separately supplied with their acids, and otherwise 
 prepared, they are put together upon a table, A A, perfectly dry, and made 
 of hard wood. The first member of the series has soldered to its zinc arm 
 a strip of copper, C, which, extending downward, has its end, previously 
 brightened and amalgamated, immersed in a cup of mercury at N. The 
 cup being permanently secured to the table. Then the second glass is 
 taken, and the platinum, B, at the end of the zinc arm, is gently let fall 
 into the porous cup, so that it shall be in the centre of the cup, and reaching 
 down as far as its length, when the glass rests upon the table. The third 
 glass is then taken and placed in the same manner, and so on to the last. 
 The last glass has, in its porous cup, the platinum plate, D, soldered to a 
 strip of copper, E, which is so constructed as to turn at the top, and admit 
 of the easy introduction of the platinum into the porous cup, while the other
 
 end of the copper, previously prepared like the copper of the other end of the 
 battery, terminates in a cup of mercury, P. The cup being capable of ad- 
 justment, so as to bring the platinum directly over the porous cup ; is, 
 when adjusted^ secured permanently to the table. The battery, thus 
 arranged, is ready to be applied. 
 
 THE WIRE. 
 
 The wire used in making helices for the magnets, and for connecting the 
 telegraphic stations, is made of copper of the best quality, and annealed. It 
 is covered with cotton thread, so as to conceal every part of the metallic 
 surface ; not so much to prevent corrosion or waste from the action of the 
 atmosphere, as to prevent a metallic contact of one wire with another, when 
 placed near each other. After the wire is covered, it is then saturated with 
 shellac, and then, again, with a composition of asphaltum, beeswax, resin 
 and linseed oil. It is now in a condition to be extended upon the poles. 
 That portion of the wire of which the helices are made is only saturated 
 with shellac. 
 
 THE ELECTRO MAGNET. 
 
 The electro magnet is the basis upon which the whole invention rests in 
 its present construction ; without it, it would entirely fail. As it is of so 
 much importance, a detailed account will be given of the construction of 
 the electro magnet, as used for telegraphic purposes. A bar of soft iron, of 
 the purest and best quality, is taken and made into the form presented in figure 
 
 FIG. 5.
 
 5, which consists of four parts, viz. A F and A F are the two legs or prongs of 
 the magnet,* of a rounded form, and bent at the top, approaching each other 
 towards the centre, where the ends of each prong, without touching, turn up, 
 and present flat, smooth and clean surfaces, level with each other at F F. 
 The other end of these prongs or legs is turned smaller than the body, on 
 the end of which is a screw and nut, C C. These ends pass through a 
 plate of iron, B, of the same quality, at I and I, until they rest upon the plate 
 at the shoulder produced by turning them smaller. They are then both 
 permanently secured to the plate, B, by the nuts, C C, and the whole be- 
 comes as one piece. This arrangement is made for the purpose of putting 
 on the coils or taking them off with facility. The form most common for 
 electro magnets is that of the horse-shoe ; and is simply a bar of iron bent 
 in that form. E represents a small flat plate of soft iron, sufficiently large 
 to cover the faces of the two prongs, F and F, presenting on its under side 
 a surface clean and smooth, and parallel with the faces, F and F. 
 
 The coils or helices of wire, which surround the prongs, A A, necessary 
 to complete the electro magnet, consist of many turns of wire, first running 
 side by side, covering the form upon which the spiral is made, until the 
 desired length of the coil is obtained ; the wire is then turned back, and 
 wound upon the first spiral, covering it, until the other end of the coil is 
 reached, where the winding began ; then again mounting upon the second 
 spiral, covers it, and in the same manner it is wound back arid forth, until 
 the required size of the coil is attained. 
 
 The coil is wound upon a form of the size (or a little larger) of the legs 
 of the magnet, and when the coil is completed, the form is taken out, leaving 
 an opening in the centre, B, into which the prongs may freely pass. 
 Figure 6 represents a coil constructed in (he manner described. A and A are 
 
 FIG. 6. 
 
 The term magnet, here, is synonymously used with the iron for the magnet, as the simple 
 iron is not a magnet, except when subjected to the action of the battery through the helices 
 of wire around it. It would confuse the reader, if this distinction be not kept in view. Perma- 
 nent magnets are those which retain their magnetism when once they are charged. They are 
 always made of steel, and usually bent in the form of a horse-shoe. Sometimes they are of a
 
 8 
 
 the two ends of wire which are brought out from the coils. The one pro- 
 ceeds from the centre of the coil, and the other from the outside. C and C 
 are circular wooden heads, on each end of the coil, and fastened to it by 
 binding wire, running from one head to the other, around the coil. The 
 wire used in constructing it, as heretofore mentioned, is covered in the same 
 manner as bonnet wire, and saturated or varnished with gum shellac. This 
 preparation is necessary, in order to prevent a metallic contact of the wires 
 with each other. Such a contact of some of the wires with others encircling 
 the iron prong, would either weaken or altogether destroy the effect intended 
 by their many turns. If the wires were bare, instead of being covered, the 
 galvanic fluid, when applied to the two ends, A and A, instead of passing 
 through the whole length of the wire in the coil as its conductor, would 
 pass laterally through it as a mass of copper, in the shortest direction it 
 could take. For this reason, they require a careful and most perfect insu- 
 lation. Two coils are thus prepared for each magnet, one for each prong, 
 A and A, figure 5. 
 
 Figure 7 exhibits a view of the magnet ; figure 5, with its two coils, H 
 
 FIG. 7. 
 
 and H, placed upon the prongs. Those parts of the magnet, not concealed by 
 the coils, are lettered as in figure 5, and correspond with its description. P 
 represents the wire connecting the coil H with H, and A and A the ends of 
 the wires leaving the coils. 
 
 We now proceed to explain the manner by which the magnet is secured 
 upon a frame, and the arrangement of the armature, E, figure 7, upon a 
 lever, so that the motion peculiar for telegraphic writing may be shown. 
 
 single plate of that form, and others are constructed with many plates, side by side, fastened 
 together so as to present a compact magnet of the same form. They are distinguished from 
 Electro Magnets from the fact, that the soft iron of the latter depends upon the influence of the 
 galvanic fluid for its magnetism, and retains it only so long as the soft iron is under its influence, 
 while the former, when once submitted to the influence of the galvanic fluid, retain their mag- 
 netism permanently.
 
 9 
 FIG. 8. 
 
 Figure 8 exhibits, in perspective, a view of the electro magnet and the 
 pen lever, in a condition to show the effect of the galvanic battery upon the 
 prongs of the magnet, F and F, and the armature, D, and the movement of 
 the pen lever to which the electro magnet is secured. A bolt, upon the 
 end of which is a head or shoulder, passes through the centre of the upright 
 block, C, and between the coils, H and H, and also through the brass brace, 
 O, projecting a little beyond it, with a screw cut upon its end. The thumb- 
 nut, P, fitted to it, is then put on, and the whole firmly held by screwing 
 the thumb-nut as far as possible. F and F are the faces of the iron prongs, 
 as shown in figure 7, presenting their flat surface to the armature, D. L is 
 the pen lever, suspended upon steel points, as its axis, which pass through its 
 side at X, and soldered to it. Each end of this steel centre is tapered so as 
 to form a sharp and delicate point or pivot. E is a screw, passing through 
 the side of the brass standard, G, and presenting at its end a sunken centre, 
 the reverse of the steel pivot point at X. There is also another screw, sim- 
 ilar to E, passing through the other side of the standard at G', with a sunken 
 centre in its end. By the extremities of these two screws, to which the ta- 
 pered ends of the steel centre is fitted, the pen lever is suspended, so as deli- 
 cately to move up and down, as shown by the direction of the arrow. The 
 brass standard, G, is secured to the upright block, C. D is the armature, 
 soldered to the end of the brass pen lever, L, separated from the faces of the 
 magnet, F and F, about the eighth of an inch. W is a yoke, secured to the
 
 10 
 
 lever by a screw, and which admits through its lower part the steel wire 
 spring, M M, for the purpose of bringing down the lever when not acted upon 
 by the electro magnet. The spring is secured to a brass standard at the top, 
 represented by N. R represents the three steel points of the pen,* which 
 mark upon the paper the telegraphic characters ; each of which strike into 
 its own appropriate groove in the steel roller, S. T and T are the flanges of 
 the steel roller, S, and which confine the paper as it passes between the pen 
 points, R, and the steel roller, S, described more fully hereafter. J and I are 
 two screws in the horizontal cross bar attached to the standard, G, and are 
 used for the purpose of adjusting and limiting the pen lever in its movement 
 upward and downward ; the one to prevent the pen points from striking too 
 deeply into the paper and tearing it, and the other to prevent the armature 
 from receding too far from the faces of the electro magnet, and beyond its 
 attraction, when it is a magnet. K is the connecting wire of the two coils 
 H and H. A and B show the ends of the wire, one coming from each coil 
 and passing through the stand, and seen below at a and 6. 
 
 Having explained this arrangement of the electro magnet, the pen lever, 
 and the battery ; the effect of the latter upon the former will now be de- 
 scribed. Let one of the wires from the coils, figure 8, a. t for instance, be 
 extended so far, that it can conveniently and securely be connected with the 
 mercury cup, N, figure 4, of that pole of the battery. Then take the 
 wire 6, figure 8, and extend it also to a convenient length, so as to be freely 
 handled, and connect it with the mercury cup, P, figure 4, of the other pole of 
 the battery. It will be found at the instant the connection is made, that the 
 lever, L, figure 8, will fly up in the direction of the arrow at W. The 
 iron prongs in the centre of the coils, H and H, which were before perfectly 
 free from any attractive power, have now become powerfully magnetic by 
 the inductive influence of the galvanic current following the circuitous turns 
 of the wire around the iron, so that now the electro magnet is capable of sus- 
 taining twenty or twenty-five pounds weight. This magnetic power con- 
 centrated in the faces of the electro magnet, F and F, attracts to it the arma- 
 ture or small iron, D, drawing the pen lever down on that side of its axis, 
 and producing a reverse motion on the other side at L. Now take out the wire 
 b from the mercury cup, and in an instant its magnetism is gone, and the lever, 
 L, falls by the action of the spring, M. If the circuit is closed a second time, 
 the lever again flies up ; and if immediately broken, falls. In this manner 
 it will continue to operate in perfect obedience to the closing or breaking of 
 the circuit. If the circuit is closed and broken in rapid succession, the lever 
 obeys and exhibits a constant and rapid vibration. If the circuit is closed 
 and then broken after a short interval, the lever will remain up the same 
 
 One marking point will suffice.
 
 li 
 
 length of time, the circuit is closed, and falls upon its being broken. What- 
 ever may be the time the circuit is broken, the lever will remain up for the 
 same length of time, and whatever may be the time it continues broken, 
 the lever will remain down for the same time. Suppose the magnet is 
 separated at the distance of one mile from the battery ; upon manipulating 
 at the battery, at that distance, in the manner just described, the same 
 vibratory motion is produced in all its varieties, as when they were removed 
 only a short distance. Separate them 10 miles, and still the same mysterious 
 fluid is obedient to the pleasure of the operator in producing the desired mo- 
 tion of the pen lever. If they were separated at distances of 100 or 1000 
 or 100,000 miles apart., the lever would doubtless obey the manipulations of 
 the operator, as readily as if only distant a few feet. Here is exhibited the 
 principle upon which Morse's Electro Magnetic Telegraph is based, and which 
 gives to the several portions of the civilized world the power of holding 
 instantaneous communication with each other, with a rapidity far beyond 
 what has ever before been attained. As the above explanation is given 
 only in reference to the power of the electro magnet, when connected with 
 the battery, and to show the movements of the pen lever, we shall speak of 
 the arrangement of the wires for extended lines hereafter. 
 
 Having now explained the electro magnet and its operation through the 
 agency of the battery, we will proceed to describe those various parts of the 
 register, by which the electro magnet is made subservient to the transmission 
 of intelligence from one distant point to another. 
 
 Figure 9 represents, in perspective, the whole of the register, as also the 
 key or correspondent. The electro magnet, H and H, and the pen lever, L, 
 which have just been described under figure 8, need not be recapitulated here. 
 The letters used in figure 8, represent the same parts of the electro magnet 
 in this figure. 
 
 * The brass frame containing the clock work, or rather wheel work, of the 
 instrument, is seen at 5 and 5. The whole purpose of the clock work is to 
 draw the paper,* 2 2, -under the steel roller, S. and over the pen, R, at an uni- 
 form rate. 
 
 There is also an arrangement in connection with the wheel work, by means 
 of which the clockwork is put in motion and stopped at the pleasure of the 
 operator at the distant station. How this is done will now be explained. 
 
 * The paper used for telegraphic writing is first manufactured by the paper making machine 
 in one long continuous sheet, of any length, about three feet and a half in width, and is com- 
 pactly rolled up as it is made, upon a wooden cylinder. It is then put into a lathe and marked 
 off in equal divisions of one and a half inches in width; a knife is applied to one division at 
 a time, and as the roll of paper revolves, the knife cuts through tho entire coil until it reaches 
 the wooden, centre. This furnishes a coil ready for the register, and is about fifteen inches in di- 
 ameter. The whole roll of paper furnishes, in this way, about twenty-eight small rolls prepared 
 for use.
 
 12 

 
 13 
 
 Upon the shaft, R r , is a brass barrel, upon which is wound the cord to which 
 the weight, 4, is suspended, and by means of which and the intermediate 
 wheels, the motion produced, is communicated to two rollers (not seen in 
 this figure, see fig. 10, E F) in advance of the steel grooved roller, S. These 
 two rollers grasp the paper, 2, 2, 3, between them, and supply it to the pen 
 at a given and uniform rate ; the rate being determined by the adjustment 
 of the wings of the fly, connected with the train. 
 
 We will now describe, by figure 10, those parts connected with the wheel 
 work, which could not be easily shown in figure 9. F and E represent, in 
 
 FIG. 10. 
 
 outline, the two rollers which grasp the paper, 2 and 2. The roller E is 
 connected with the train by a cog wheel upon it. F is not so connected ; 
 but is pressed hard upon E by means of springs upon the ends of the axle ; 
 S represents the grooved steel roller beneath which the paper, 2 and 2, is 
 seen to pass. Directly under the steel roller is one of the steel pen points 
 at R, upon the end of the pen lever ; a part of which only is shown. Thus 
 far the description given of the clock work, relates to those parts, by the 
 agency of which the pen is supplied with paper. We now proceed to explain 
 that part connected with the clock and pen lever, by which the clock is set 
 in motion or stopped at the option of the distant operator. 
 
 In figure 9, at R', is seen a small pulley upon the barrel shaft of the clock 
 work ; at Q, is another pulley, but larger. From the pulley, R', is a cord,* or 
 
 * The pulley and cord have been dispensed with and two small cog wheels substituted.
 
 14 
 
 band, 10, proceeding to pulley, Q,, and then returning under it to pulley, R' ? 
 making it continuous. This band communicates the motion of pulley, R', to 
 the pulley, Q,. In figure 10, these pulleys are represented by the same letters. 
 B represents the barrel ; the arrow, the direction in which it revolves when 
 in motion. The arrow at Q, shows the direction which it takes when mo- 
 tion is communicated to it by R'. Part of the pulley, Q,, is broken away in 
 order to show the arm, H, soldered at the middle of the same spindle upon 
 which is the pulley, Q,, and directly beneath the pen lever, L. It is bent at 
 D, so as to turn down and strike the wooden friction wheel, C, at the point, P. 
 The friction wheel is secured upon the last spindle of the train at its middle and 
 directly under the lever, L. From the pen lever, L, is seen a small rod of wire, 
 A, passing down through the arm, H, with a sere wand nut under it, at I, for the 
 purpose of shortening or lengthening it. It is permitted to work free, both 
 at its connection with the lever and arm. This wire is also extended and 
 passes down through the platform, where it operates upon a hammer for strik- 
 ing a bell, to apprise the operator that a communication is to be sen.t. The 
 several parts being now explained, their combined action is as follows : 
 
 The arm, H and D, is a break, which when brought in contact with the 
 friction wheel, C, prevents the weight of the clock work from acting upon 
 the train, and there is no motion. By the action of the magnet, the pen lever, 
 L,is carried up in the direction of the arrow, 3, and takes with it the connect- 
 ing rod, A, and also the break, H, D. The break being thus removed from 
 the friction wheel, C, the clock work commences running by the power of 
 the weight. The barrel, B, must consequently turn in the direction of the 
 arrow upon it; this motion is communicated by the band to Q,, which re- 
 volves in the direction of its arrow; consequently, if the lever, L, is not still 
 held up by the magnet, the break is descending slowly ; and when it reaches 
 P, stops the motion of the clock train, unless the pen lever continues in mo- 
 tion, in which case the break, D, is kept up from the friction wheel, thus per- 
 mitting the clock work to run, until the lever ceases to move, when the break 
 is gradually brought down upon the friction wheel, and the train stops. By 
 this contrivance, the operator at a distance can so control the movement of 
 the paper at the remote register, that when he wishes to write, it shall be put 
 in motion, his pen be supplied with paper, and when he has finished his wri- 
 ting, the register shall stop. 
 
 U represents (figure 9) the brass standards, one on each side of the large 
 roll of paper, 1, 1, 1, which it supports. Z is a wooden hub, upon which 
 the roll is placed; and 12, the steel arbor of the hub, and upon which the 
 whole easily revolves as the paper, 2 and 2, is drawn off by the clock work. 
 Y is a brass spring, between the hub and the standard ; and keeps the paper 
 stretched between the roll and the pen.
 
 15 
 
 The key or correspondent is represented by 6, 7, 8, 9, Another view of 
 it is more distinctly seen in figure 11. The same letters in each, represent 
 
 FIG. 11. 
 
 the same thing. Vand V is the platform. 8 is a metallic anvil, with its 
 smaller end appearing below, to which is soldered the copper wire c. 7 is the 
 metallic hammer, attached to a brass spring, 9, which is secured to a block, 6, 
 and the whole to the platform, V V, by screws. A copper wire passes 
 through the whole, and is soldered to the brass spring at 6. The key or cor- 
 respondent is used for writing upon the register at the distant station, and both 
 it and the register are usually upon the same table. 
 
 Having now explained the Register, Key and Battery, we proceed to de- 
 scribe the arrangement of the conductors or wires connecting distant stations, 
 and the mode by which the earth, also, is made a conductor of this subtle 
 fluid. 
 
 The term circuit used frequently in this work, has reference to the wire, 
 which, commencing at the positive pole of the battery, goes to any distance 
 and returns to the negative pole of the battery. When its going and return- 
 ing are continuous or unbroken, the circuit is said to be closed or complete. 
 When it is interrupted, or the wire is disconnected, the -circuit is said to be 
 broken or open. 
 
 When a magnet or key or battery is spoken of as being in the circuit, it 
 has reference to the use of the wire belonging to the key, magnet or battery, 
 respectively, as a part of the circuit. 
 
 There are three modes of arranging the wires, so as to communicate be- 
 tween two distant stations. Two of these modes are inferior, as they fur- 
 nish but one circuit for the termini, and consequently obliging one station to 
 wait, when the other is transmitting, both stations not being able to telegraph 
 at the same time. These two modes are called the dependent circuits. The 
 first mode is, where two wires are used, of which figure 12 is a diagram. 
 B represents Baltimore, and W Washington ; m is the magnet or register ; 
 A: the key, and bat the battery, all at the Baltimore station; m' is the magnet 
 or register; k 1 the key at the Washington station. The lines, represent the 
 wires upon the poles, connecting the two stations, and are called the east and
 
 16 
 FIG. 12. 
 
 East wire 
 
 West -wire 
 
 west wires. In this arrangement of the wires and also in the second, the key 
 (which has been explained in a preceding figure, 11, and shown at 6 and 
 7 to be open ) must be closed at both stations, in order to complete the cir- 
 cuit, except at the time when a communication is being transmitted.* For 
 the purpose of closing the circuit at the key, a metallic wedge is used, which 
 is put in between the anvil 8 and the hammer 7, and establishes the circuit. 
 Supposing the battery is in action, and B has a communication for W : he 
 opens his key, by removing the wedge, and sends his message. The galva- 
 nic fluid leaves the point, P, of the battery, and goes to &, to m, along the east 
 wire to A/, to m', and back by the west wire to N pole of the battery. In the 
 same manner it proceeds along the wires, if W is writing to B. In this ar- 
 rangement, the direction of the galvanic current is the same, whether B or 
 W is communicating, unless the poles of the battery are reversed. 
 
 FIG. 13. 
 JS&st-itrire 
 
 ( ground, < 
 
 The second mode has but one wire and the ground, represented by figure 
 13. The use of the ground as a conductor of the galvanic fluid, between 
 two distant points, is to many a mystery. But of the fact there is no question. 
 The above diagram exhibits the manner in which the east wire and ground 
 were used from the first operation of the Telegraph, until the close of the ses- 
 sion of Congress, June, 1844. In this diagram, we will minutely follow the 
 course- of the galvanic current. B represents Baltimore, and W Washington ; 
 C represents a sheet of copper, five feet long and two and a half feet wide, to 
 which a wire is soldered and connects with the N pole of the battery. This 
 sheet of copper lies in the water at the bottom of the dock, near the depot of 
 the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road , Pratt street. From P of the battery, the wire 
 
 At this time the key is opened at the station from which -the communication is to be sent.
 
 17 
 
 proceeds to &,the key, then iom, the magnet or register, then it is the east wire 
 to &', the key at W, then torn', the magnet or register, then to the copper sheet, 
 C', buried beneath the brick pavement in the dry dust of the cellar of the cap- 
 itol. The direction of the current is from P of the battery to k, to w,and along 
 the east wire to A/, to m',and to C', where it is lost in the earth; but reappears 
 at the copper plate, C , atB, and thence to the N pole of the battery, having com- 
 pleted its circuit. It is, therefore, certain, that one-half of the circuit is through 
 the earth. From B to W the east wire is the conductor ; and from W to B the 
 ground is the conductor. In this arrangement, the west wire is thrown out, 
 and is no part of the circuit; while the earth has been made a substitute for it. 
 The last diagram, as has been stated, exhibits the plan of the wire and 
 ground, as used for telegraphic purposes, from its first operation, until the 
 adjournment of Congress in 1844, being prevented from completing the ar- 
 rangement of the third mode from the throng of visitors, that pressed to see 
 its operation. After the close of the cession, the following arrangement of 
 the wires was made, as shown in the diagram, figure 14, by means of which, 
 both stations could transmit at the same time, with one battery for both, and 
 the keys were not required to be closed. It is called the two indepen- 
 
 FIG. 14. 
 
 JZast wire 
 
 lot. 1 
 
 2n-E3- 
 
 West u/ire*. 
 
 dent circuits. Here the west wire is used for transmitting from B to W; and 
 the east wire from W to B. The copper plates at B and W remain as they 
 are described in the second plan. Bat, the battery, at B is used in common 
 for both circuits. It is simply necessary here to designate the course which 
 the fluid takes when both lines are in operation, viz. B transmitting to W; and 
 W to B. In the former case, the current is from P of the battery to k, then 
 the west wre,then to m 1 ', at W, then to (7, thence through the ground toC at 
 B, and then to theN, or negative pole of the battery, as shown by the arrows. 
 In the latter case, the current is from P of the battery to m, then the east wire, 
 then to A- 7 , at W, thence to (7, thence through the ground toC at B, thence to 
 the N, or north pole of the battery, as shown by the arrows. This arrange- 
 ment, by which one battery is made efficient for both circuits at the same 
 time, where two were formerly used, was devised by Mr. Vail, assistant su- 
 perintendent, in the spring of 1844, and has contributed much to diminish the
 
 18 
 
 care and expense in maintaining that part of the apparatus of the telegraph. 
 One battery being now used instead of two. By the above diagram, it will 
 l)e perceived that the gwund is common to both circuits, as well as the bat- 
 tery ', and also the wire from the N pole of the battery, to the copper plate, C ; 
 and from the copper plate, C', to the junction of the two wires near the two 
 arrows. For the purposes of telegraphic communication they answer as well 
 as though there were four wires and two batteries. Instead of using the 
 ground between C and C', a wire might be substituted, extending from the N 
 pole of the battery to the junction of the wires at the two arrows at W. The 
 arrangement of the wires, battery, keys, magnets or registers at both stations, 
 with the ground, as shown in figure 14, is the plan now used for telegraphic 
 operations between B and W; and has many decided advantages over the 
 arrangements of figures 13 and 14. First. In both of those arrangements, 
 the circuit is obliged to be kept closed, when neither station is at work; and 
 as the battery is only in action when the circuit is closed, it follows that the 
 battery will not keep in action as long as when the circuit is allowed to re- 
 main open, as in the use of the third plan, figure 15. Second. There is an 
 advantage in dispensing with the use of the metallic wedge, which is liable 
 to be forgotten by the operator. Third. The attendant may occasionally 
 leave the room, and is not required to be in constant waiting, as the clock work 
 is put in motion and stopped by the operator at the other end, and the message 
 written without his presence. But in the first and second arrangement, the 
 apparatus for putting in motion and stopping the clock work, is entirely 
 useless. The attendant being obliged to put it in motion and stop it him- 
 self. 
 
 We will now proceed to describe the modus operandi of transmitting intel- 
 ligence from one station to another; the arrangement being as in figure 14; 
 k is the key of the operator at Baltimore, and m' represents his register, or 
 writing desk, at Washington ; A/ is the key of the operator at Washington, and 
 in his register, or writing desk, at Baltimore. Each has the entire control of 
 his respective register, excepting, only, that each operator winds up the other's 
 instrument, and keeps it supplied with paper. It will also be borne hi 
 mind, that each circuit is complete, and every where continuous, except at 
 the keys, which are open. If, then, the hammer is brought in sudden con- 
 tact with the anvil, and permitted as quickly as possible to break its contact 
 by the action of the spring, and resume its former position, the galvanic fluid, 
 generated at the battery, flies its round upon the circuit, no matter how quick 
 that contact has been made and broken. It has made the iron of the electro 
 magnet a magnet ; which has attracted to it the armature of the pen lever ; 
 the pen lever, by its steel peri points, has indented the paper, and the pen 
 lever has", also, by the connecting 1 wire with the break, taken it from thefric-
 
 19 
 
 lion wheel ; this lias released the clock work, which, through the agency of the 
 weight, has commenced running, and the two rollers have supplied the pen 
 with paper. But, as only one touch of the key has been made, the clock 
 work soon stops again, if no other touches are made, by the action of the 
 break upon the friction wheel. 
 
 This shows the whole operation of the Telegraph, in making a single dot 
 by a single touch of the key. In order now to explain more fully the ope- 
 ration of the steel pen points upon the paper, which is in contact with the 
 grooved roller, let there be made four touches at the key ; this will be suf- 
 ficient to start the clock work, and allow the paper to have attained a uniform 
 rate ; then let six touches be made at the key. The contact has been made 
 six times and broken six times. Each time it is closed, the electro mag- 
 net, as heretofore explained, attracts to it, with considerable force, the arma- 
 ture of the pen lever, carrying up the steel pen points against the paper, 2, 
 under the steel roller, S. The three points of the pen, falling into the three 
 corresponding grooves of the roller, carry the paper with them and indent 
 it,* at each contact. There then appear upon the paper, as it passes 
 out from under the rollers, six indentations, as if it had been pressed 
 upon by a blunted point, such as the end of a knitting needle would be sup- 
 posed to make, when pressed upon paper, placed over a shallow hole, but in 
 such a manner as not to pass through the paper, but raising the surface, as 
 in the printing for the blind. These indentations of the paper are the mark- 
 ing of the pen, but varied in the manner now to be described. 
 
 By examining the telegraphic alphabet, the characters will be found to be 
 made up of dots : short and long lines and short and long spaces. A single 
 touch of the key, answers to a single dot on the paper of the register; which 
 represents the letter, E. One touch of the key prolonged, that is, the con- 
 tact at the key continued for about the time required to make two dots, pro- 
 
 * The first working model of the Telegraph was furnished with a lead pencil, for writing its 
 characters upon paper. This was found to require too much attention, as it needed frequent 
 sharpening, and in other respects was found inferior to a pen of peculiar construction, which 
 was afterwards substituted. This pen was supplied with ink from a reservoir attached to it. It 
 answered well, so long as care was taken to keep up a proper supply of ink, which, from the 
 character of the letters, and sometimes the rapid, and at others the slow rate of writing, was 
 found to be difficult and troublesome. And then again, if the pen ceased writing for a little 
 time, the ink evaporated and left a sediment in the pen, requiring it to be cleaned, before it was 
 again in writing order. These difficulties turned the attention of the inventor to other modes of 
 writing, differing from the two previous modes. A variety of experiments were made, and 
 among them, one upon the principle of the manifold letter writers ; and which answered the 
 | * * purpose very well, for a short time. This plan was also found objectionable, and after much 
 time and expense expended upon it, it was thrown aside for the present mode of marking the 
 telegraphic letter. This mode has been found to answer in every respect all that could be de- 
 sired. It produces an impression upon the paper, not to be mistaken. It is clean, and the 
 points making the impression being of the very hardest steel, do not wear, and renders the writ- 
 ing apparatus always ready for use.
 
 20 
 
 duces a short line, and represents T. A single touch for about the time re- 
 quired to make four dots, is a long line, and represents L. A single touch 
 for about the time required to make six dots, is a still longer line and repre 
 sents the of the numerals. If the use of the key be suspended for about the 
 time required to make three dots, it is a short space, used between letters. 
 If suspended for the time required to make six dots, it is a long space, used 
 between words, and a longer space is that used between sentences. These 
 are the elements which enter into the construction of the telegraphic char- 
 acters, as used in transmitting intelligence. The alphabet is represented by 
 the following combination of these elements. 
 
 ALPHABET. 
 
 A 
 
 BCDEF G HIJ 
 
 K 
 
 L 
 
 MNOP QRSTU 
 
 V 
 
 W 
 
 X Y Z & 123 
 
 4 
 
 Suppose the following sentence is to be transmitted from Washington to 
 Baltimore : 
 
 The American Elect r 
 > Mag neti c Tele g r a 
 
 ph invented b y Pro 
 
 essor SFBM 
 
 or s e o 
 
 ew York on 
 
 boar 
 
 of the pac ket ship 
 
 Su-11 y Capt Pell on 
 
 her passage from H 
 
 avreto New York Oc 
 
 t o b* e r 1 8 3 *2
 
 21 
 
 It is evident, as the attendant at Baltimore has no agency in the trans- 
 mission of this message from Washington, his presence, even, is not abso- 
 lutely required in the telegraph room at Baltimore, nor is it necessary, pre- 
 viously, to ask the question, are you therel The operator at Washington 
 transmits it to Baltimore, whether the attendant is there or not, and the 
 telegraphic characters are distinctly recorded upon the paper of the Baltimore- 
 register. If he omits a letter at the key, in Washington, it is omitted on the 
 paper in Baltimore. If he has added at the key in Washington, it is also 
 upon the paper in Baltimore, nothing more or less is marked upon it. 
 
 Specimen of the Telegraphic Language.
 
 22
 
 23 
 
 Prom the peculiarity of the motion obtained at the pen lever by tne ac- 
 tion of the battery upon the electro magnet, it is evident that a few elements 
 only are presented upon which to base the telegraphic characters. The mo- 
 tion of the lever, to which is attached the steel pen points, is vibratory; but 
 capable of being so controlled as to cause it to retain either of its positions 
 (that is, up or down) as long, and at such intervals, and in as quick succes- 
 sion as the operator may choose. Therefore, every sort of combination 
 which dots, lines and spaces, in any succession, and of any length can make, 
 are here as much at the pleasure of the telegraphic manipulator, as the Eng- 
 lish alphabet is with the letter writer. So that if from this countless variety, 
 twenty-six of the most simple, to represent letters, and ten to represent the 
 numerals, shall be taken, we come at once into possession of the means of 
 representing words and sentences, by new, but intelligible characters, and 
 through them, can be conveyed as clearly, and as concisely, as if they were 
 given viva voce, or written in Roman characters. Such is the alphabet given 
 above. This conventional alphabet was originated on board the packet 
 Sully, by Prof. Morse, the very first elements of the invention, and arose from 
 the necessity of the case; the motion produced by the magnet being limited 
 to a single action. 
 
 During the period of thirteen years, many plans have been devised by the 
 inventor to bring the telegraphic alphabet to its simplest form. The plan of 
 using the common letters of the alphabet, twenty-six in number, with twenty- 
 six wires, one wire to each letter, has received its due share of his time and 
 thought. Other modes of using the common letters of the alphabet, with 
 a single wire, has also been under his consideration. Plans of using two, 
 three, four, five and six wires to one registering machine, have, in their turn, 
 received proportionate study and deliberation. But these, and many other 
 plans, after much care and many experiments, have been discarded ; he 
 being satisfied that they do not possess that essential element, simplicity ', 
 which belongs to his original first thought, and the one which he has adopt- 
 ed. A detailed account of these various plans with fewer or more wires, 
 might be given here, but it will suffice merely to present the alphabet adapt- 
 ed to a register, using 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 wires, with a separate pen to each wire, 
 capable of working together, or in any succession. It is obvious that every 
 additional pen will give an additional element to increase the combination, 
 and were there any real advantage in such an arrangement it would have 
 been adopted long since. 
 
 No. 1. 
 Alphabet for two pens , operating together or in succession. 
 
 CDEF GH IJKLMNOP QRS
 
 TUVWXYZ&l 234567890 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 Alphabet for three pens , operating together or in succession. 
 
 ABCDEFGH I JKLMNOPQRS TUVWX 
 
 YZ&1234567890 
 
 No. 3. 
 Alphabet for four pens, operating together or in succession. 
 
 ABCDEFGH IJKLMNOPQRS T U 
 
 VWXYZ&123 4567 890 
 
 No. 4. 
 Alphabet for Jive pens, operating together or in succession. 
 
 ABCDEFGH I JKLMNOPQR STU 
 
 VWXYZ&1234 5 6 7 8 9 
 
 No. 5. 
 Alphabet for six pens, operating together or in succession. 
 
 ABCDEFGH I JKLMNOP QR ST 
 
 VWXYZ&l 234567890