His testimony was used by the enemies of Morse, both at home and abroad, to invalidate the claims of the latter, and, stung by these aspersions on his character and attainments, and urged thereto by injudicious friends, Morse published a lengthy pamphlet entitled: "A Defense against the Injurious Deductions drawn from the Deposition of Professor Joseph Henry." In this pamphlet he not only attempted to prove that he owed nothing to the discoveries of Henry, but he called in question the truthfulness of that distinguished man.
The breach between these two honorable, highly sensitive men was now complete, and it was never healed.
The consensus of scientific opinion gives to Henry's discoveries great value in the invention of the telegraph.

While they did not constitute a true telegraph in themselves; while they needed the inventions and discoveries, and, I might add, the sublime faith and indomitable perseverance of Morse to make the telegraph a commercial success; they were, in my opinion, essential to it, and Morse, I think, erred in denying this.

But, from a thorough study of his character, we must give him the credit of being sincere in his denial.

Henry, too, erred in ignoring the advances of Morse and Vail and in his proud sensitiveness.
Professor Leonard D.Gale, the friend of both men, makes the following comment in a letter to Morse of February 9, 1852: "I fear Henry and I shall never again be on good terms.

He is as cold as a polar berg, and, I am informed, very sensitive.