382 [ASSEMBLT 



casses ; and I am also aware that through a misapprehension of their 

 nature, the Patent Laws are supposed by many, to be of that charac- 

 ter, and intended expressly to grant special favors to inventors. 



This however is not only incorrect, but it is precisely the opposite 

 of the fact. 



The policy of the Patent Laws of the United States, is not to ex- 

 tend any extraordinary right or benefit to inventors, but on the con- 

 trary, it is to secure justice to the inventor and bring benefit to the 

 public. 



The inventor receives nothing from such laws except protection, 

 which is the common right of all subjects of organized government. 



ti 



When a man, by his own exertion and industry has devised a com- 

 bination of thoughts, not known before, which, when embodied in 

 wood or metal, are capable of producing important and valuable re- 

 sults, it is a secret which belongs to him and not to others, a thing 

 which he has and the public have not. If now he disclose it to the 

 public and receive a patent, he imparts a benefit and the pubUc re- 

 ceive it ; and he in return takes nothing extraordinary by receiving 

 the patent from the public ; it is barely extending to him, on his pay- 

 ing a bonus, what is extended to every other citizen without a bonus ; 

 the use of law to protect his rights. And yet, after the public have 

 thus speculated out of him, he is still charged with having a law for 

 his special benefit. This is truly ungrateful. He asks no special fa- 

 yor, but barely justice j and it is the policy of the Patent Law to 

 award him nothing but justice, and through that, to secure a great 

 public benefit. 



Is it possible then for Congress to be better engaged than in taxing 

 their time and attention, and exercising their best talents in improv- 

 ing laws so just and so creditable to the nation 1 Days and weeks 

 are often spent among the members, in controverting points origina- 

 ting in mere pride of opinion, and the discussion of mere temporary 

 matters of no lasting importance. How much more is it worthy the 

 representatives of an enlightened and distinguished people, to employ 



