96 A REVIEW. 



are stigmatized by the application to them of the infamous epithet of 

 pirate. Certainly. adequate protection should be given to the honest 

 inventor who devotes his substance and his incessant toil for the ben- 

 efit of society, against the freebooters who in\'ade without scruple his 

 property, which, to him, is more sacred and invaluable, because it is 

 the cherished creation of his own genius. 



" But while his exclusive property in his invention exists, it must 

 be considered that the inventor has a right to demand of the Govern- 

 ment, the most ample security and protection in its enjoyment. This 

 security and protection he does not, under our present imperfect sys- 

 tem, enjoy. On the contrary, the difficulty and expense, and the ab- 

 solute impossibility, in some cases, of vindicating his rights, have ren- 

 dered the present laws enacted for his protection, almost absolute 

 nullities. To remedy this imperfection in the existing system, is the 

 object of the amendments of the patent laws, proposed in the two 

 former reports of the undersigned. 



" While the steam engine, most potent of all the creations of gen- 

 ius, is daily coursing before our eyes, wafting us upon the wings of 

 the wind its precious freight of human life, and its countless treasures 

 of industry and commerce; while the mysterious telegraph specdsour 

 thoughts with the swiftness of lightning which is its obedient aud 

 trusty messenger; while magnificent manufactories stud our land, stun- 

 ning but delighting us with the never-ceasing movement of their won- 

 der-working machinery, it seems unnecessary to remark upon the 

 incalculable value of the labors of the inventor and his claims upon 

 society for protection in the enjoyment of his just rights. And, 

 sooner or later, the undersigned is confident they will be fully recog- 

 nized and protected by the enlightened legislators of a great repub- 

 lic, whose progress has been so much accelerated by their genius and 

 enterprise." 



Patent office Rep. 1849 — '50, Comm. Ewbank. 



"With respect to the modification of the patent laws, I beg leave 

 to refer to the able reports of my immediate predecessor; whose views 

 as to the necessity of giving further security to inventors, accorded 

 with my own, and to whose forcible language on the subject I can add 

 nothing. It is admitted that all legislation which has in view the se- 

 curity of an exclusive right, is intended to guard the public good 

 against a violation of the faith reposed in its bestowal. That, on the 

 other hand, it is equally the duty of the legislature, if it deems proper 

 to extend to individuals or corporations such right on certain condi- 

 tions, to protect them in its enjoyment. That such in a greater or less 

 degree is not the case in regard to inventors must be obvious to those 

 who have been conversant with the operation of the patent laws now 

 in force. It is not expected, in view of their modification, that a per- 

 fection can be attained which will meet every emergency; but the 

 least which should be done is to apply a remedy whenever an object 

 designed by enactment, is defeated in its operation. 



"Some years of experience seerri to have illustrated the inoperative 

 effect of the law intended to secure the inventor in the enjoyment of 



