PROCEEDINGS OF THE REGENTS. 97 



In his deposition, Prof. Henry's statements are witliin what he 

 might fairly have claimed. But he is a man of science, looking for 

 no other reward than the consciousness of having done something for 

 its promotion, and the reputation which the successful prosecution of 

 scientific investigations and discoveries may justly be expected to give. 

 In his public lectures and published writings he has often pointed out 

 incidentally the possibility of applying the facts and laws of nature 

 discovered by him to practical purposes ; he has freely communicated 

 information to those who have sought it from him, among whom has 

 been Mr. Morse himself, as appears by his own acknowledgments. 

 But he has never applied his scientific discoveries to practical ends for 

 his own pecuniary benefit. It was natural, therefore, that he should 

 feel a repugnance to taking any part in the litigation between rival 

 inventors, and it was inevitable that, when forced to give his testi- 

 mony, he should distinctly point out what was so clear in his own 

 mind and is so fundamental a fact in the history of human progress, 

 the distinctive functions of the discoverer and the inventor who ap- 

 plies discoveries to practical purposes in the business of life. 



Mr. Henry has always done full justice to the invention of Mr. 

 Morse. While he could not sanction the claim of Mr. Morse to the 

 exclusive use of the electro-magnet, he has given him full credit for 

 the mechanical contrivances adapted to the application of his invention. 

 In proof of this we refer to his deposition, and present also the following 

 statement of Hon. Charles Mason, Commissioner of Patents, taken 

 from a letter addressed by him to Prof. Henry, dated March 31, 1856: 



U. S. Patent Office, 3Iarch 31, 1856. 



Sir: Agreeably to your request I now make the following state- 

 ment: 



Some two years since, when an application was made for an exten- 

 sion of Prof. Morse's patent, I was for some time in doubt as to the pro- 

 priety of making that extension. Under these circumstances I con- 

 sulted with several persons, and among others with yourself, with a 

 view particularly to ascertain the amount of invention fairly due to 

 Prof. Morse. 



The result of my inquiries was such as to induce me to grant the 

 extension. I will further say that this was in accordance with your 

 express recommendation, and that I was probably more influenced by 

 this recommendation, and the information I obtained from you, than 

 by any other circumstance, in coming to that conclusion. 

 I am, sir, yours very respectfully, 



CHAKLES MASON. 



Prof. J. Henry. 



To sum up the results of the preceding investigation in a few words 



7s 



