No. 129. j 239 



How can this be ac<;omplished 2 



First and chiefly, without doubt, in cultivating a high morali- 

 ty in the community and a sense of justice toward our fellow 

 men. 



Secondly, by requiring full and decisive proofs of a discovery 

 before any man's claims to it shall be allowed. 



Third, by having recorded, in the archives of science and in 

 permanent institutions, the exact history of every important dis- 

 covery, with the evidence of the facts alleged. 



It should not be enongh that a mere speculator in inventions, 

 should go to a patent office and swear that he has made a dis- 

 covery and invention, when he may have stolen it from some 

 unsuspecting man of science, or from a more humble artizan. 



No true man of science will ever disgrace himself by asking 

 for a patent, even though he might not know what to do witli 

 his discovery more than the tailor did who drew an elephant at 

 a raflle. He cannot and will not leave his scientific pursiuts to 

 turn showman, mechanic, or merchant j and it is better for him 

 and for the world that he should continue his favorite pursuits 

 and bring out more from the unexplored depths of human in- 

 genuity and skill. The poor artizan cannot afford to enter into 

 long tedious and expensive lawsuits to obtain his rights, and 

 therefore has to lose them for a time at least. 



The patent office affords, (as too many whom I now address 

 well know,) but very inadequate protection to the discoverer and 

 inventor. A patent entitles one to spend the rest of his life in 

 law-suits, and that's all ! 



What then shall be done ? How can we protect the true dis- 

 coverer and inventor? This is the subject I will now consider; 

 and I think the means I shall point out will prove most satisfac- 

 tory to all who have honest and just claims. I cannot say that 

 it will be a perfect method, but it will undoubtedly be better 



an any we have tried. 



