As Jackson's wild claims were effectually disposed of, I shall not dwell upon this source of annoyance, but shall content myself with one extract from a letter to Mr.Warren of March 23: "I wish not to attack Dr.Jackson nor even to defend myself in _public_ from his _private_ attacks.

If in any of his publications he renews his claim, which I consider as long since settled by default, then it will be time and proper for me to notice him....

The most charitable construction of the Dr's.

conduct is to attribute it to a monomania induced by excessive vanity." While many of those upon whom he had looked as friends turned against him in the mad scramble for power and wealth engendered by the extension of the telegraph lines, it is gratifying to turn to those who remained true to him through all, and among these none was more loyal than Alfred Vail.
Their correspondence, which was voluminous, is always characterized by the deepest confidence and affection.

In a long letter of March 24, Vail shows his solicitude for Morse's peace of mind: "I think I would not be bothered with a directorship in the New York and Buffalo line, nor in any other.