REPORT OF ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY. 71 



A considerable number of pieces of Henry's experimental apparatus has also been 

 received from the Smithsonian Institution. The apparatus made by Henry in 

 1831 for Yale University, and deposited by that institution, and other apparatus 

 illustrating the important original work done by Henry, also form parf, of the col- 

 lection. At this time, when the whole world is enjoying immense benefits from 

 numerous electrical appliances which have grown out of the discoveries made l)y 

 Henry in his early researches, this apparatus used by him, much of it constructed 

 with his own hatuls. jjossesses an intense interest. It forms a suitable beginning for 

 a collection of historical electrical apparatus showing the various stages in teleg- 

 raphy, telephony, electric lighting, and kindred industries, the history of which — 

 yet to be written — reflects much credit upon .loseph Henry and the Smithsonian 

 Institution. 



Mrs. Isabella Field Judson presented a large number of objects 

 relating" to tlie laying of the early trans-Atlantic telegrapli cables and 

 the work of Cyrus W. Field in coiiiieetion with that enterprise. Tliis 

 collection includes specimens of the original cables i)reserved by 'Sir. 

 Field himself, with his charts and autograph records of the first cable- 

 laying expeditions. 



The Western Union Telegraph Company and the Telegraphic His- 

 torical Society deposited several specimens of original apparatus show- 

 ing the development of the telegraph in this country. Mr. F. W. 

 Hawley, of Xew York City, presented an electric motor which was 

 operated by a current generated at Niagara Falls and transmitted to 

 New York City, a distance of 453 miles, over commercial wires of the 

 Western Union Telegraph Company. 



A large number of interesting and important objects can not be 

 placed upon exhibition owing to lack of space. 



A great deal of time has beeu devoted to the classification and 

 arrangement of the collections, the preparation of a catalogue, and an 

 investigation of the history and authenticity of numerous objects not 

 heretofore fully identified and described. 



Models illustrating some of the discoveries and inventions of Frank- 

 lin, Henry, Morse, and Page were sent to the Tennessee Centennial 

 Exposition. 



Correspondence has been entered into with Mr. Thomas A. Edison, 

 Prof. Elihu Thomson, JNIr. Charles F. Brush, the General Electrical 

 Company, the Western Union Telegraph Company, and other indi- 

 viduals and firms prominent in electrical matters, and gratifying assur- 

 ances of cooperation have been received. Assistance in furnishing 

 information or in searching for historical objects has been rendered by 

 the following persons: Gen. Thomas T. Eckert, presidentof the Western 

 Union Telegraph Company, and Messrs. C. A. Tinker and A. S. Brown, 

 of the same com[)any; ]\Ir. Edward L. Morse, Yonkers, New York; 

 Dr. Henry M. Field, New York City; Mr. T. C. Martin, editor of the 

 Electrical Engineer, and Mr. S. H. Kauffmann and other officers of 

 the Telegraphic Historical Society. 



Work has been outlined for the future as follows : 



The more perfect classitication and arrangement of the objects now belonging to 

 the collections ancl the completion <»l' :iii aci-urate eatalogiu) and historical record of 



