Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872 to John C. Spencer

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02112 Author/Creator: Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: January 19, 1844 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; Height: 25 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

States that the lead pipe delivered by F.O. J. Smith, the contractors with Mr. Tatham and his brothers, is defective. Describes the main problem, "I find it defective in many points but particularly in the destructive effect that has been produced upon the insulation of the wires by the hot process of manufacture." Informs that the wires will have to be removed from the pipes, re-varnished, and put back in the pipe. Estimates the cost of the repairs to be $500. States that the Tathams will credit $50 of the cost. Puts much of the blame on his Assistant Professor Fiskee, whom he has since dismissed from service.

Morse, Samuel Finley Breese, 1791-1872
Spencer, John C. (John Canfield), 1788-1855

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources