359. SAMUEL F.B. MORSE (1791-1872) American inventor who experimented in telegraphy, inventor of the Morse Code, and sent the first wire message "What hath God wrought!" Fine telegraphic business-content A.L.S. "Sam'l F. B. Morse", 1p. legal folio, Poughkeepsie, July 3, 1852 to George Vail, the son of his partner in the telegraphy business, Alfred Vail. In part: "...I intended to write to Alfred on the melancholy occasion of his late affliction...A matter of pressing business in which all our interests are concerned now prompts me to write to you. There is something mysterious under weigh [sic] in the management by Mr. Alexander of New Orleans...I do not like his underhand intriguing way of getting proxies to put [Ex-Postmaster General Amos] Mr. Kendall out of the Treasuriship of the Co...a suspicious appearance in relation to his interest with Bulkley in his Connection...he himself is interested in the invention as I learn..Mr. Kendall has watched him and questioned him so harshly that he is desirous of ousting Mr. Kendall...I am told you and Alfred have given your proxies to Mr. Alexander...let me beg of you to take Alfred's proxy conditionally and go yourself to the meeting...[so] you may not unwittingly commit a suicidal act...I will pay one-third of your expenses to Washington..." A couple of trivial toned spots, else very good. Matted with a photo and brass plaque, framed in gilt wood. $1,200-1,500