This memorial of one so great and gifted he greatly valued and
carefully preserved.
Prussia, about the same time, presented to him the Prussian golden
medal for scientific merit.
After passing through many places of interest in Europe, in all of
which he was received with distinguished honor, Professor Morse
returned to London the latter part of September, 1856.
The public at that time were much interested in the subject of the
proposed submarine telegraph connection with America.
A plateau extending across the bed of the ocean between the two
continents had been discovered under a survey conducted by Lieutenant
Maury for the United States Government, and which was regarded as
extremely favorable for the projected enterprise.
Professor Morse, in concert with Mr. Whitehouse and Mr. Bright, the
English electricians, conducted a series of experiments and sent
signals through 2,000 miles of insulated wire.
These experiments removed any apprehension respecting the retardation
of the electric current over this long length of wire.
It now became a question of capital and nautical engineering. The first
was quickly pledged, the latter was not doubted.
While in London thus occupied, Professor Morse was tendered a banquet,
which he promptly accepted.
The dinner was given Oct. 9, 1856. The Chairman was Mr. Fothergill
Cooke, who, in presenting the guest of the evening, used the following
language:--
“Gentlemen, I was consulted only a few months ago on the subject of a
telegraph for a country in which no telegraph at present exists.
“I recommended the system of Professor Morse. I believe that system to
be one of the simplest in the world, and in that lies its permanence
and certainty. (Cheers.) It is a great thing to say, and I do so after
twenty years’ experience, that Professor Morse’s system is one of the
simplest that has ever been, and I think ever will be, conceived.
(Cheers.) He stands alone in America as the original and carrier-out of
a grand conception.
“We know that America is an enormous country, but I think we have a
right to quarrel with Mr. Morse for not being content with giving the
benefit of it to his country, but that he extended it to Canada and
Newfoundland, and even beyond there. His system has been adopted over
all Europe.
“The nuisance is that we in England are obliged to communicate by means
of his system, and he threatens to go further still, and promises,
if we do not, he will carry out a communication between England and
Newfoundland across the Atlantic.
“I almost envy Professor Morse for having forced from an unwilling
rival a willing acknowledgment of his services.
“May he long live to enjoy the high reputation he has attained
throughout the world.” (Long continued cheers.)
Other speeches equally complimentary followed.
It was on the day of this banquet Mr. Morse received from Paris the
announcement that the Emperor Napoleon III. had made him a Chevalier of
the Legion of Honor.
Martin Farquhar Tupper sent him a few days afterwards the following
lines referring to the banquet:
“A good and generous spirit ruled the hour,
Old jealousies were drowned in brotherhood,
Philanthropy rejoiced that skill and power,
Servants to science, compass all men’s good.
“And over all religions banner stood
Upheld by thee, true patriarch of the plans
Which in two hemispheres was chimed, to shower
Mercies from God on universal man.
“Yes, the electric chain from East to West,
More than mere metal, more than mammon, can
Binds us together, kinsmen in the best
As most affectionate and frankest bond,
Brothers as one, and looking far beyond,
The world in an electric union blest.”
Although the Morse telegraph had been generally adopted in continental
Europe, no compensation had hitherto been paid to the inventor.
Professor Morse, therefore, was much gratified in receiving the
following letter while in Paris:
“MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
“PARIS, September 1, 1858.
“Sir,--It is with a lively satisfaction that I have the honor to
announce to you that a sum of 400,000 francs will be remitted
to you in four annuities in the name of France, of Austria, of
Belgium, of the Netherlands, of Piedmont, of Russia, of the
Holy See, of Sweden, of Tuscany and of Turkey, as an honorary
gratuity, and as a reward altogether personal of your useful
labors.
“Nothing can better mark, than this collective act of reward, the
sentiment of public gratitude which your invention has justly
excited.
“The Emperor has already given you a testimonial of his high
esteem, when he conferred on you, more than a year ago, the
decoration of a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.
“You will find a new mark of it in the initiative, which His
Majesty wished that his Government should take in conjunction,
and the decision that I charge myself to bring to your knowledge,
is a brilliant proof of the eager and sympathetic adhesion
that his proposition has met with from the States I have just
enumerated.
“I pray you to accept on this occasion, sir, my personal
congratulations as well as the assurance of my sentiments of the
most distinguished consideration.