86 A KKVIEW. 



/•resented or prosecuted, and " sccrctl}- " acted on li\- the two Houses 

 of Congress! 



Some years since, — even before purchasing a machine for my own 

 use, I received numerous letters from individuals not only in this, but 

 adjoining States, [and some of them entire strangers even by name,] 

 desiring my opinion both as a farmer and machinist, in regard to their 

 purchases of Reaping Machines. With this view and also for my own 

 benefit, I carefully examined every machine within my reach; and the 

 result was, a decided conviction that " Hussey's Reaper" was the most 

 efficient, strong, and durable; and that the peculiar construction of the 

 cutting apparatus, particularly of the guards, was the only true and 

 efficient principle that ever had been invented for the purpose. 



Many machines were thus purchased on my recommendation; and 

 all, without exception have worked well, when properly managed. 

 My own machine has much more than realized my expectations; for 

 several years past, doing the work of ten or a dozen scythes in the 

 grass fields, doing it better, and at less than one fourth of the expense. 



Knowing that an application was pending for an extension of the 

 Patent, and greatly desiring to see the inventive talent and genius of our 

 countrymen properly rewarded, as well as from a feeling of gratitude 

 to one who has conferred so signal a benefit on the Agriculturists of 

 the country at large, some three or four years since I wrote to influen- 

 tial characters at Washington, urging the extension as due to the 

 Inventor, and in strict accordance with both the letter and spirit of 

 the Patent Laws. From that day to the present, I have not failed 

 at all proper times and places, with Members of Congress and others, 

 to advocate the cause, both verbally, and with my pen. So far from 

 desiring " secrecy " or " concealment," my letters were written with the 

 object, and full permission given, to print and publish them. 



Acting from a conscious feeling of rectitude, and from disinterested 

 motives, it is difficult to read this pamphlet without some feeling of 

 indignation; and I am at a loss to say which is the most censurable, — 

 the selfish motives that appear to prompt this opposition, and to take 

 from another what is known, and admitted to be his right; or, the 

 unscrupulous disregard of those amenities of social life — a due regard 

 for the private character of others, — that should characterize the advo- 

 cate and gentleman, everywhere; and which are not often seen even in 

 the pettyfogging county court lawyer, who desires to pass himself off 

 with his'light, " brief," and before an ignorant jury, as something extra. 

 If these parties cannot effect their object without thus traducing pri- 

 vate character, they will not succeed in that way. It was remarked by 

 a wise man, "that there was no danger from error, if truth was left 

 free to combat it." I have no doubt whatever that in this case, truth 

 and merit, will triumph over error and sordid motives. I shall cer- 

 tainly aid them all in my power, humble and feeble as may be their 

 advocate. Very respectfully, 



Edward Stapw kk. 



Sex'eral pages of this scurrilous pamphlet are devoted to eo)ivey the 

 idea, that there is now "a secret alliance "—a collusion between Cyrus 



