“Yes, the electric chain from East to West,
More than mere metal, more than mammon, can
Binds us together, kinsmen in the best
As most affectionate and frankest bond,
Brothers as one, and looking far beyond,
The world in an electric union blest.”
Although the Morse telegraph had been generally adopted in continental Europe, no compensation had hitherto been paid to the inventor.
Professor Morse, therefore, was much gratified in receiving the following letter while in Paris:
“Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Paris, September 1, 1858.“Sir,—It is with a lively satisfaction that I have the honor to announce to you that a sum of 400,000 francs will be remitted to you in four annuities in the name of France, of Austria, of Belgium, of the Netherlands, of Piedmont, of Russia, of the Holy See, of Sweden, of Tuscany and of Turkey, as an honorary gratuity, and as a reward altogether personal of your useful labors.
“Nothing can better mark, than this collective act of reward, the sentiment of public gratitude which your invention has justly excited.
“The Emperor has already given you a testimonial of his high esteem, when he conferred on you, more than a year ago, the decoration of a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.
“You will find a new mark of it in the initiative, which His Majesty wished that his Government should take in conjunction, and the decision that I charge myself to bring to your knowledge, is a brilliant proof of the eager and sympathetic adhesion that his proposition has met with from the States I have just enumerated.
“I pray you to accept on this occasion, sir, my personal congratulations as well as the assurance of my sentiments of the most distinguished consideration.
S. Walewski.”
Professor Morse, in addition to this handsome gratuity, received tokens of honor from each of the contributing nationalities:—
From France, the Legion of Honor; Prussia, the Gold Medal of Scientific Merit; Austria, a gold medal; Spain, Knight Commander de Numero of the Order of Isabella the Catholic; Portugal, Knight of the Tower and Sword; Italy, Saints Lazaro and Mauritis; Denmark, Knight of the Danneborg; Turkey, decoration in diamonds of the “Nisham Iftichar,” or Order of Glory.
He was also the recipient of many other marks of honor of a more private character.
As early as 1835 Mr. Morse was elected a corresponding member of the Historical Institute of France.
In 1837 he was made a member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Belgium.