Samuel F.B. Morse on the daguerreotype.
Gentlemen, I have been requested to give my opinion of the probable effects to be produced by the discovery of Louis Daguerre on the arts of design. It is known to most of you that for many months I have been engaged in experiments with the daguerreotype, more particularly for the purpose of forming an intelligent judgment on this point.
The daguerreotype is undoubtedly destined to produce a great revolution in art, and we as artists should be aware of it and rightly understand its influence. This influence, both on ourselves and the public generally will, I think, be in the highest degree favorable to the character of art.