3S0 I Assembly 



States and people ? When was the li:nc, at which this subject -was 

 analyzed and elucidated by the masteiing logic and profound reason- 

 ing of distinguished senators, so often brought tq bear upon questions 

 of international law and constitutional construction ? When was the 

 lime, at which was heard a discharge upon this subject, cf the great 

 tnlellectual peace-makers of the United Slates Senate chamber ? 

 When was the auspicious day, on which was encircled the inventor's 

 fame, by the glowing eloquence of American statesmen in Congress 

 assembled 1 When have reported speeches and discussions on this, 

 as on vastly less important subjects, emanated from the Capitol, and 

 inundated the country ? When was the time, that Congress and the 

 public were enlightened on the subject-matter of the Patent Laws, 

 as they are wont to be on other subjects of legislation, by elaborate 

 and lucid expositions from able members 1 Never : the annals of 

 congressional proceedings contain no traces of the kind. On the con- 

 trary, a few loose amendments, brief entries of petitions presented 

 and referred, reports submitted, and motions made and lost, indicate 

 about the extent to which this matter has been deemed worthy the 

 attention of Congress. 



Congress has at all times approached it, and disponed of it, with a 

 slight consideration, due only to some limited sectional matter, and 

 of no general interest. They have refused it attention, as if it were 

 a law exclusively for the benefit of a particular class of individuals ; 

 they have withheld their action, as if it were to take from the public 

 and award to individuals ; they have treated it with a jealousy, as if 

 it were an encroachment upon public rights, and a special favor to in- 

 dividuals. 



Why should this be 1 Is there anything in the nature of the case 

 to palliate the grievance of such neglect ? Is the subject destitute 

 of the elements of sound policy and unworthy of faithful and atten- 

 tive legislation ? No, far from it. Laws to encourage inventions 

 and to secure the benefit of the invention to its author for a limited 

 time, are founded in public policy most vnse^ justice most pwCj and 

 expediency most urgent. They embrace more fully than any other 

 branch of jurisprudence, all the ingredients of a high order of sound 

 and wise national policy. ' 



