Electro and Animal Magnetism
I found this gem in Samuel F.B. Morse, His Letters and Journals (128-129). This debate occurred on February 21, 1844. Another bill to grant Morse the appropriation to build a prototype telegraph was passed on the 23rd. I find it an interesting example of the Congressional attitude towards technology—I don’t think things have changed that much.
On the motion of Mr. Kennedy of Maryland, the committee took up the bill to authorize a series of experiments to be made in order to test the merits of Morse’s electro-magnetic telegraph. The bill appropriates $30,000, to be expended under the direction of the Postmaster-General.
