The telegraph manual: a complete history and description of the semaphoric, electric and magnetic telegraphs of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, ancient and modern.

SMITH AND BAIN S PATENTED INVENTION. 359
To keep the paper or other fabric in a sufficiently moist
state, favorable for the action of an electric current, we add
about one part by measure of chloride of lime; this mixture is
to be kept stirred about with a glass rod, until the chloride of
lime is in complete solution. In connection with this compound, it is proper to observe that we have found that prussiate
of potash, combined with almost any acids, will give mark
under the decomposing action of an electric current, but no
other mixtures act so quickly, or give such permanent marks
with feeble currents of electricity, as that herein described.
The principal use of the chloride of lime is, that it absorbs
moisture fron the atmosphere, and thereby keeps the prepared
fabric in a proper state to be acted upon by an electric current
in all states of the weather.
After describing the apparatus for telegraphing, the following are given as the claims of the inventors:
1st. The modes of arranging the several parts of our marking instruments for electro-chemical telegraphs, substantially,
as hereinbefore described.
2d. We claim the mode of adjusting a style or point-holder,
as hereinbefore described and shown, so as to afford a ready
and convenient mode of regulating the pressure of the style or
point upon the surface of the chemically prepared fabric.
3d. We claim the mode of applying the weight q, for the
purpose of regulating the pressure, as herein described and
shown.
4th. We claim the mode of arranging the marking and
transmitting instruments, wires, and batteries, in a single
circuit, and in branch circuits connected therewith, so that a
copy of a message sent from any one station may be marked
upon chemically prepared paper, or other fabric, at one or any
desired number of stations in communication therewith, and
also, if required, at the transmitting station, without requiring
the use of any secondary current.
In the application for a patent in the United States, Mr.
Bain was opposed by Prof. Morse. The Commissioner of Patents sustained the claims of the latter gentleman. Mr. Bain
appealed to the Federal Court for the District of Columbia.
On the 13th of March, 1849, the honorable judge reversed the
decision of the Commissioner of Patents, and issued the following order, viz.:
"And I do further decide and adjudge, that the said Samuel
F. B. Morse is entitled, under the 7th section of the Act of 1836,
to a patent for the combination which he has invented, claimed,
and described in his specification, drawings, and model; and