How could we see the original newspaper in which Samuel Morse's first
Telegraphic message appeared? We are looking for the Baltimore
Patriot, May 25, 1844, and we'd like to see the whole paper online.

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Request for Question Clarification by scriptor-ga on 10 Nov 2003 13:41 PST

Dear narrative,

This may sound a bit strange, but: Have you reason to believe that
this particular number of the Baltimore Patriot can be found online?
If so, in what context have you heard of it? Any help will support our
research.

Regards,
Scriptor

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Clarification of Question by narrative-ga on 10 Nov 2003 16:02 PST

Hello scriptor -- 

We're not sure if this particular newspaper is online, but it should
be the paper in which Samuel Morse's original telegraphed message,
"What hath God Wrought" appeared. This is the day after he sent that
message from Washington to Baltimore, and we have seen a reference to
it appearing in the Patriot. So we thought, since it's somewhat
famous, it might be online.

Thanks!

Narrative

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 10 Nov 2003 17:27 PST

There is a lot of original documentation online at the Library of
Congress regarding Morse and the telegraph, including an image of the
actual paper tape on which Morse sent his 1st message.

There are also a ton of newspaper articles -- including several from
the Boston Patriot -- but oddly enough, none that I can find that
report on that first historic event.

I'll let you know if I come across the actual paper from May 25, 1844.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 10 Nov 2003 20:23 PST

I also found this online from a book, "The Life of Samuel F.B. Morse:

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THE FIRST MESSAGE.

On the 24th day of May, 1844, Professor Morse was prepared
to put to the test the great experiment on which his mind had
been laboring for twelve anxious, weary years. Mr. Vail, his
assistant, was at the Baltimore terminus, in the Mount Clare
depot. Professor Morse had invited his friends to assemble in
the chamber of the U. S. Supreme Court, where he had his instrument,
from which the wires extended to Baltimore. He had promised his young
friend, Miss Ellsworth, that she should indite the first message over
the wires. Her mother suggested the familiar words of Scripture
(Numbers xxiii. 23): " What
hath God wrought! " The whole verse from which this message was taken
is in these words:

"Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any
divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of
Jacob and of
Israel, What hath God wrought!"

The words were chosen without consultation with the inventor, but were
singularly'expressive of his own sentiment in regard to the invention,
and his own experience in bringing it to a successful accomplishment.
From the moment of its conception he had been under the serious and
sincere impression that he was guided and controlled by supernatural
power in this
great work. Profoundly religious in his convictions, and trained from
earliest childhood to believe- in the special superintendence of
Providence in the minutest affairs of men, he had acted throughout the
whole of his struggles under the firm persuasion that God was working
in him to will and to do His own pleasure in this thing. In
conversation with intimate personal
friends and in private letters to those dear to him, he was free
to acknowledge this dependence, and to declare his confidence
that the final result'would be a complete triumph.

----------------------

Isn't the internet fun...?

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Clarification of Question by narrative-ga on 11 Nov 2003 07:16 PST

Hi pafalafa -- 

Thank you for your excellent finds. What we're looking for exactly is
some newspaper editorial or coverage of Morse's invention (not
necessarily on that first day) which celebrates it as a product of
American ingenuity. We thought the day-after coverage would be most
likely to have it, but given how slowly things worked in 1844, it
could have been later. It also doesn't need to be from the Baltimore
paper, though we thought that was a likely spot as well, given that
the message was sent to Baltimore.

Thanks,
Narrative

"Although the new telegraph connection was between Washington and Baltimore and was
openly demonstrated in both cities, the first newspaper account to
appear in the National
Intelligencer, the leading newspaper in Washington, was on May 27, and
that was a copy
of an account from a Baltimore paper. Only 16 people showed up in the
old Supreme Court
chamber to see the Washington end of the demonstration. The newspaper
account did not
mention Annie's message."

http://www.myoutbox.net/popch19.htm

I don't know if it is available online but there are several libraries
that own the newspaper "Baltimore patriot & commercial gazette" for
the time period you need.  It may be possible to order a photocopy
through your home library depending on where you are located.  Some
libraries have the capability to copy using color or high quality
copiers so it may look like the original.

Thanks bowler,

Do you know which libraries hold these papers? Where can we access that list?
Thanks,

narrative

This information can be found on the WorldCat Catalog which is
sometimes offered free of charge at your local public library.  Any
other database that shows you which libraries own particular
periodicals (i.e "Union List of Serials") can also be of asistance, or
you can call your or any large library system or university library
and they may be willing to help you over the telephone.

Some of the libraries that are listed as owning that particular year
(1844) newspaper:

Boston Public Library:
http://www.bpl.org/

Enoch Pratt Free Library (Maryland)
http://www.pratt.lib.md.us/

Maryland Historical Society Library
http://www.mdhs.org/

Duke University Library
http://www.lib.duke.edu/

University of Texas at Austin Library
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/

Hope this is of assistance!

Bowler-g

Thanks -- it is!

Narrative