September 17, 1849. J.J. Speed to Ezra Cornell, diagrams and description of new "switch" he had developed which would allow transmitting of messages over long distances without rewriting (connecting circuits). 2nd letter, same date, concerns progress on new western lines (Cleveland & Cincinnati, St. Louis). Topics: Telegraph business correspondence: materials and supplies, New-York & Erie line, finances, Connecticut & Vermont line. Personal names: Speed, J.J.; Tillotson, D.T.; Boardman, Douglass; Allen, T.F.; French, B.B. Geography: Mt. Vernon, Ohio.