Professor Blake wrote another letter on August 21, which I am tempted to give almost in its entirety:—­

“I feel it to be my duty to write to you upon another point regarding your report, upon which I know that you are sensitive, but, as I think you will see that my motives are good, and that I sincerely express them, I believe you will not be offended with me although my views and opinions may not coincide exactly with yours.  I allude to the mention which you make of some of the eminent physicists who have contributed by their discoveries and experiments to our knowledge of the phenomena of electro-magnetism.

“On page 9 of the manuscript you observe:  ’The application of the electro-magnet, the invention of Arago and Sturgeon (first combined and employed by Morse in the construction of the generic telegraph) to the purposes also of the semaphore, etc.’

“Frankly, I am pained not to see the name of Henry there associated with those of Arago and Sturgeon, for it is known and generally conceded among men of science that his researches and experiments and the results which he reached were of radical importance and value, and that they deservedly rank with those of Ampere, Arago and Sturgeon.

“I am aware that, by some unfortunate combination of circumstances, the personal relations of yourself and Professor Henry are not pleasant.  I deplore this, and it would be an intense satisfaction to me if I could be the humble means of bringing about a harmonious and honorable adjustment of the differences which separate you.  I write this without conference with Professor Henry or his friends.  I do it impartially, first, in the line of my duty as editor (but not now officially); second, as a lover of science; third, with a patriotic desire to secure as much as justly can be for the scientific reputation of the country; and fourth, with a desire to promote harmony between all who are concerned in increasing and disseminating knowledge, and particularly between such sincere lovers of truth and justice as I believe both yourself and Professor Henry to be.

“I do not find that Professor Henry anywhere makes a claim which trenches upon your claim of first using the electro-magnet for writing or printing at a distance—­the telegraph as distinguished from the semaphore.  This he cannot claim, for he acknowledges it to be yours.  You, on the other hand, do not claim the semaphoric use of electricity.  I therefore do not see any obstacle to an honorable adjustment of the differences which separate you, and which, perhaps, make you disinclined to freely associate Professor Henry’s name with those of other promoters of electrical science.

“Your report presents a fitting opportunity to effect this result.  A magnanimous recognition by you of Professor Henry’s important contributions to the science of electro-magnetism appears to me to be all that is necessary.  They can be most appropriately and gracefully acknowledged in your report, and you will gain rather than lose by so doing.  Such action on your part would do more than anything else could to secure for you the good will of all men of science, and to hasten a universal and generous accord of all the credit for your great gift to civilization that you can properly desire.