. The library of American history, literature and biography .. . assistance from,any one, although there were friends ready and even anxious to help him. 692 AID FROM CONGRESS. Alone and manfully he fought his way through these dark days, still hopeful ofsuccess for his invention, and patiently seeking to improve it wherever oppor-tunity presented itself. At length, in 1S40, he received his long-delayed patentfrom the general government, and, encouraged by this, presented a secondpetition to Congress, asking its aid in the construction of an experimental linebetween Baltimore and Washington. H
. The library of American history, literature and biography .. . assistance from,any one, although there were friends ready and even anxious to help him. 692 AID FROM CONGRESS. Alone and manfully he fought his way through these dark days, still hopeful ofsuccess for his invention, and patiently seeking to improve it wherever oppor-tunity presented itself. At length, in 1S40, he received his long-delayed patentfrom the general government, and, encouraged by this, presented a secondpetition to Congress, asking its aid in the construction of an experimental linebetween Baltimore and Washington. He had to encounter a great degree ofskepticism and ridicule, with many other obstacles ; but finally, on the verylast day of the session, when he had given up all hope, a bill was passedappropriating thirty thousand dollars to construct the line. His dearest wish^avas at last realized, and the hour of his triumph was at hand. Work on the telegraph line was im-mediately begun, and carried on first, an insulated wire was buriedunder ground in a lead. SHOP IN WHICH THE FIRST MORSE INSTRUMENT WAS CONSTRUCTED FOR EXHIBITION BEFORE CONGRESS pipe, but this failing to give satisfaction, the wire was elevated upon poles. Ond;he 27th of May, 1844, the line was completed, and the first trial of it made in:the presence of the government officials and many other distinguished Morse was confident of success ; but this occasion was a period of the;most intense anxiety to him, for he knew that his entire future was staked uponthe result of this hour. Among the company present to witness the trial was;the Secretary of the Treasury, John C. Spencer. Although very much interestedin the undertaking, he was entirely ignorant of the principles involved in it, andlie asked one of Professor Morses assistants how larsre a bundle could be SAMUEL F. B. MORSE. 695 sent over the wires, and if the United States mail could not be sent in thesame way. When all was in readiness, Profe
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