Polk of Tennessee was nominated, a few minutes since, in Baltimore as the Democratic Candidate for President of the United States . —

They are now calling the roll, by state, in the convention to see whether or not they will all acquiesce unanimously in the nomination. — So far as the states have been called they are unanimous and I suppose that no state will withhold her assent [ascent]. —

This is the 3rd day since the convention met — until about one hour since, the chances seemed to be divided between Van Buren and Cass . — Van Buren was withdrawn by his friend & attorney Genl Benjm [General Benjamin] F. Butler , and Polk was soon after nominated. — I presume that they will scarcely proceed, to day [today], to the Selection of a candidate for vice President. — I will, at all events, close, & send this to the post officer. —

The news is communicated by an electromagnetic telegraph, which runs upon wires like electricity. The distance from Baltimore to Washington is 40 miles, and the news is communicated along these wires instantaneously; it reches [reaches] Washington in less than

one five thousandth, (1/5,000), part of a second!!—

Persons start from Baltimore, on the rail road [railroad], and travel some 25 miles per hour; and when they reach Washington, they find news from Baltimore 2 hours later than that which they bring with them!!—

The current news, you will learn much more satisfactorily from the newspapers, than I can give it in this hasty epistle.—

Col [Colonel] Totten is absent on a tour, for the purpose of inspecting the fortifications and other military works on the sea board of our South Atlantic States — he has been absent about a month, he is expected to return soon; but he will proceed almost immediately to the north on a similar tour. — This leaves me with my hands full of employment.—

Give my love to Sister Margaret & brother Albert — Remember me kindly to all enquiring friends — Write to me soon. —envelope the letter & direct, on outside to "Engineer Department, Washington D.C". — I write of necessity in great haste—

Your affectionate brother—

Geo. [George] L. Welker

[added:

To J.M. Welker , Esqr [Esquire] Knoxville Tenn [Tennessee]

]