Some of the money was raised and paid to him, and he made studies and sketches for the painting, but his mind was now on his invention, and the painting of the picture was deferred from year to year and finally abandoned.

It was characteristic of him that, when he did finally decide to give up the execution of this work, he paid back the sums which had been advanced to him, with interest.
Another grief which came to him in the summer of 1834 (to return to that year) was the death of his illustrious friend General Lafayette.

The last letter received from him was written by his amanuensis and unsigned, and simply said:-- "General Lafayette, being detained by sickness, has sent to the reporter of the committee the following note, which the said reporter has read to the House." The note referred to is, unfortunately, missing.

This letter was written on April 29 and the General died on May 20.

Morse sent a letter of sympathy to the son, George Washington Lafayette, a member of the Chamber of Deputies, in which the following sentiments occur:-- "In common with this whole country, now clad in mourning, with the lovers of true liberty and of exalted philanthropy throughout the world, I bemoan the departure from earth of your immortal parent.