Method of Obtaining Patents . 279 
be signed by the applicant, or applicants, before two wit- 
nesses. It is material that this be in good language, and 
correctly written, as it is transcribed into the patent, and 
the original papers w ill be deposited in an office that will 
hand them down to posterity, by which the honour of the 
country is concerned in this attention. The modest in- 
ventor will no doubt exclude those panegyrics on the ex- 
cellence of his invention or discovery, which abound 
sometimes in the productions of the inferior genius, but 
which ought not to enter into the patent. 
The following, or a similar oath or affirmation, taken 
[before a judge of any of the courts, or a justice of the 
peace, or any person qualified to administer an oath] by 
the applicant, or applicants, must be subjoined to the spe- 
cification, if citizens of the United States. 
Form . 
County of 
State of - 
On this — of — — -, 18 — , before the subscriber, a 
justice of the peace, in and for the county aforesaid, 
personally appeared the above named A JB, and made 
solemn oath [or affirmation] according to law, that he 
verily believes himself to be the true and original inven 
tor or discoverer of the art [machine, invention, or im 
provement, composition of matter, &c.] above specified 
and described, for — (mention here the object or 
intention) — and that he is a citizen of the United 
States. 
— , J. P. 
If not a citizen (or citizens) the following addition must 
be made to the declaration, that he verily believes him- 
self to be the true and original inventor or discoverer of 
the art, &c. 
“J&nd that the same hath not , to the best of his or her 
knowledge or belief been known or used either in this or 
