Meanwhile an act of incorporation was granted by the legislature of the State of Maryland, the first telegraphic charter issued in the United States." The company was called "The Magnetic Telegraph Company," and was the first telegraph company in the United States.
Under the able, if conservative, management of Mr.Kendall the business of the telegraph progressed slowly but surely.

Many difficulties were encountered, many obstacles had to be overcome, and the efforts of unprincipled men to pirate the invention, or to infringe on the patent, were the cause of numerous lawsuits.

But it is not my purpose to write a history of the telegraph.

Mr.Reid has accomplished this task much better than I possibly could, and, in following the personal history of Morse, the now famous inventor, I shall but touch, incidentally on all these matters.
On the 18th of July, 1845, the following letter of introduction was sent to Morse from the Department of State:-- To the respective Diplomatic and Consular Agents of the United States in Europe.
SIR,--The bearer hereof, Professor Samuel F.B.Morse, of New York, Superintendent of Electro Magnetic Telegraphs for the United States, is about to visit Europe for the purpose of exhibiting to the various governments his own system, and its superiority over others now in use.
From a personal knowledge of Professor Morse I can speak confidently of his amiability of disposition and high respectability.

The merits of his discoveries and inventions in this particular branch of science are, I believe, universally conceded in this country.
I take pleasure in introducing him to your acquaintance and in bespeaking for him, during his stay in your neighborhood, such attentions and good offices in aid of his object as you may find it convenient to extend to him.
I am, sir, with great respect, Your obedient servant, JAMES BUCHANAN, _Secretary of State._ [Illustration: S.F.B.