It appears from this letter that Morse bore no ill-will towards his partners for not coming to his assistance at this critical stage of the enterprise, so that it behooves us not to be too harsh in our judgment.  Perhaps I have not sufficiently emphasized the fact that, owing to the great financial depression which prevailed at that time, Mr. Smith and the Vails were seriously crippled in their means, and were not able to advance any more money, and Professor Gale had never been called upon to contribute money.  This does not alter my main contention, however, for it still remains true that, if it had not been for Morse’s dogged persistence during these dark years, the enterprise would, in all probability, have failed.  With the others it was merely an incident, with him it had become his whole life.

The same refrain runs through all the letters of 1841 and 1842; discouragement at the slow progress which is being made, and yet a sincere conviction that eventually the cause will triumph.  On December 13, 1841, he says in a letter to Vail:—­

“We are all somewhat crippled, and I most of all, being obliged to superintend the getting up of a set of machinery complete, and to make the greater part myself, and without a cent of money....  All the burden now rests on my shoulders after years of time devoted to the enterprise, and I am willing, as far as I am able, to bear my share if the other proprietors will lend a helping hand, and give me facilities to act and a reasonable recompense for my services in case of success.”

Vail, replying to this letter on December 15, says:  “I have recently given considerable thought to the subject of the Telegraph, and was intending to get permission of you, if there is anything to the contrary in our articles of agreement, to build for myself and my private use a Telegraph upon your plan.”

In answering this letter, on December 18, Morse again urges Vail to give him a power of attorney, and adds:—­

“You can see in a moment that, if I have to write to all the scattered proprietors of the Telegraph every time any movement is made, what a burden falls upon me both of expense of time and money which I cannot afford.  In acting for my own interest in this matter I, of course, act for the interest of all.  If we can get that thirty thousand dollars bill through Congress, the experiment (if it can any longer be called such) can then be tried on such a scale as to insure its success.

“You ask permission to make a Telegraph for your own use.  I have no objection, but, before you commence one, you had better see me and the improvements which I have made, and I can suggest a few more, rather of an ornamental character, and some economical arrangements which may be of use to you.

“I thank you for your kind invitation, and, when I come to Philadelphia, shall A.  Vail myself of your politeness.  I suppose by this time you have a brood of chickens around you.  Well, go on and prosper.  As for me, I am not well; am much depressed at times, and have many cares, anxieties, and disappointments, in which I am aware I am not alone.  But all will work for the best if we only look through the cloud and see a kind Parent directing all.  This reflection alone cheers me and gives me renewed strength.”