240 j Assembly 



There was a discovery of a most curious and wonderful nature 

 made in France a few years ago — one that astonished the world 

 more, perhaps, than any that was ever made ; one, too, of uni- 

 versal importance, and very diflBcult to protect by letters patent. 

 This was the discovery of Photography, or of causing objects 

 in nature to paint their own pictures by the light of the sun. 

 This discovery was made by a Frenchman, named Niepce, who 

 on his death entrusted it to his son. It was then quite imper- 

 fect, though the principle was well established. Niepce commu- 

 nicated this discovery to Daguerre, a Parisian painter of dioramas, 

 and it was arranged that they should perfect it by their joint la- 

 bors ; and since Daguerre promised to render it available to their 

 interests, Niepce agreed that the art should bear Daguerre's name. 



By the aid of chemistry this wonderful art was brought to such 

 a degree of perfection as to be ready for publication. To Daguerre 

 came the happy thought of entrusting this discovery to one of the 

 most honorable members of the Institute, M. Arago, thq astrono- 

 mer of France, and this savant at once offered to lay the discov- 

 ery before the Academ}^ of Sciences, and to make it free to the 

 public on certain terms. This was soon arranged, and the fact of 

 making a picture by sunlight was instantly demonstrated to the 

 academy. An award was then voted of 6,000 francs pension per 

 annum to Mr. Niepce during his life, and 4,000 francs per an- 

 num to Daguerre for this discovery and invention, and forever 

 after it was to be free to all men and all nations ! 



Thus the world became forever indebted to France for the most 

 beautiful art that has surprised this wonder-loving age. Who, 

 that has taken out letters patent for trifling improvements in this 

 art, does not feel ashamed of himself when he contemplates this 

 noble gift of the French nation? Gentlemen, I doubt not many 

 of you have caught the idea which I have the honor to suggest 

 lor your consideration. If we would encourage the honest dis- 

 coverer and inventor, we should have some institution as noble as 

 the Academy of Sciences of France j and without abolishing the 

 Patent Office, we would leave to inventors and discoverers the 

 choice between the two, and I doubt not most American inven- 

 tors wonld prefer the academy. 



