“We are now on our way to Paris to try what we can do with the French Government.  I confess I am not sanguine as to any favorable pecuniary result in Europe, but we shall try, and, at any rate, we have seen enough to know that the matter is viewed with great interest here, and the plan of such telegraphs will be adopted, and, of course, the United States is secured to us, and I do hope something from that.

“Be economical, my dear child, and keep your wants within bounds, for I am preparing myself for an unsuccessful result here, yet every proper effort will be made.  I am in excellent health and spirits and leave to-morrow morning for Paris.”

“Paris, August 29, 1838. I have obtained a patent here and it is exciting some attention.  The prospects of future benefit from the invention are good, but I shall not probably realize much, or even anything, immediately.

“I saw by the papers, before I got your letter, that Congress had not passed the appropriation bill for the Telegraph.  On some accounts I regret it, but it is only delayed, and it will probably be passed early in the winter.”

Little did he think, in his cheerful optimism, that nearly five long years must elapse before Congress should awaken to its great opportunity.

“You will be glad to learn, my dear daughter, that your father’s health was never so good, and probably before this reaches you he will be on the ocean on his return.  I think of leaving Paris in a very few days.  I am only waiting to show the Telegraph to the King, from whom I expect a message hourly.  The birth of a prince occupies the whole attention just how of the royal family and the court.  He was born on the 24th inst., the son of the Duke and Duchess of Orleans.  My rooms are as delightfully situated, perhaps, as any in Paris; they are close to the palace of the Tuileries and overlook the gardens, and are within half a stone’s throw of the rooms of the Duke and Duchess of Orleans.  From my balcony I look directly into their rooms.  I saw the company that was there assembled on the birthday of the little prince, and saw him in his nurse’s arms at the window the next day after his birth.  He looked very much like any other baby, and not half so handsome as little Hugh Peters.

“I received from the Minister of War, General Bernard, who has been very polite to me, a ticket to be present at the Te Deum performed yesterday in the great cathedral of Paris, Notre Dame, on account of the birth of the prince.  The king and all the royal family and the court, with all the officers of state, were present.  The cathedral was crowded with all the fashion of Paris.  Along the ways and around the church were soldiers without number, almost; a proof that some danger was apprehended to the king, and yet he ought to be popular for he is the best ruler they have had for years.  The ceremonies were imposing, appealing to the senses and the imagination, and not at all to the reason or the heart.”