Morse and Vail and Cornell had worked day and night to get the line in readiness as far as the Junction so that the proceedings of the Whig Convention could be reported from that point.

Many difficulties were encountered--crossing of wires, breaks, injury from thunder storms, and the natural errors incidental to writing and reading what was virtually a new language.

But all obstacles were overcome in time, and the day before the convention met, Morse wrote to Vail:-- "Get everything ready in the morning for the day, and do not be out of hearing of your bell.

When you learn the name of the candidate nominated, see if you cannot give it to me and receive an acknowledgment of its receipt before the cars leave you.

If you can it will do more to excite the wonder of those in the cars than the mere announcement that the news is gone to Washington." The next day's report was most encouraging:-- "Things went well to-day.