Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-01-03

officers, but, for want Of time, or from some
other cause, they have not been acted upon
The subject being brought before the Judicial
ry Committee at this session, one of two cours-
es aapeared To them obviously proper either
10 extend the law to all the districts, or to re-
peal ii as il now stood. For, whatever might
Do thought of the one or the other course,
nothing could be said in favor of rei,inns the
present partial character the system nf com
pensaiion. On foil examination the Conmii-
tee had thought the better course would he,
70 repeal SO much of Tie law of l8lias re-
lates To the subject, and TO place the Co mprn
satons 10 the officers on tht same footing as
they stood upon previous ~ its passage.
An anendn-nt was offered by Mr. Hayden,
gong to restrict the fees of Clerks 10 certain
cases, but, after some conversation, he with
drew It, with the design hereafter To present it
IN "a distinct proposition ami the bill was
agreed Ia.
cpsrs IN SUITS BY PATESTEEs.
Ihe bill concerning Gusts in certain cases,
was then taken up by the Committee
This bill provides, That in suits cornmen-
ced in the Courts of the United States, after
the passage of ih's act, to recover damages
for the 'ipiali1n of any right arising under
Letters Paten', lawfully issued, tor any new
and useful invenIiony discovery or improve
nent costs shall be allowed to the plaintiff
Or plaintiffs, IN al cases, wkere the sum re-
covered hy hits ur them shall not be less than
one hundred dollars"
Mr.. WEBSTER explained the reasons of the
committee for rrPnl ting this bill. The general
ia" iorhidS all recovery OF costs in the CSu Is
ot tne United Statrs, where the amount OF
The Judgment is less than 500 dollars. This
min'nt;im, as applicable tn casrs generally
hr. w said, WIS pthnps ton high, hut. a,
related To cases Of recovery Of damages roi
violation ofpateOi ighs, il WAS surprised there
were particularly strong reasons why il should
De reduced. Suits of that description are in
s'ltuied noe so ranch IN recover great damages
as tn establish the RIGHT of the inrentors. The
rght may be very important ON, ADD yet
inc Vi"i'ton OF ii IN particular instances may
not involve heavy damages. In ordinary
eases, the right of suing in the courts of the
On'teo STATES has heen regarded AS mi, ileyp
persons possessing ii having the option Ia
aVaii themselves of II or 10 resor, TO tbp
State Courts, &c But, with respect to patent
rights, as that subject is exclusively in III.
possession at the general government. the
whole right being created by the laws of Con
Sress, and the Injured person being obliged Ia
sue IN the courts OF the Quilted States or no
where, II seemed right tn enlarge the law So
far as TO allow costs u the pan,iif in all cases
arising under the law of patents, where the
sansges awarded hoHid amour; to one hun.
dred dollars. For that purpose this bill had
been reported
MIR. Taylor, Of n. Y. moved as an amenl-
meni, that the minimum should be- reduced Ii
$50. very useful pateut1 often applied TO arti
Giles OF comparatively small value, where al
infringement in any single case would no
entltie the patentee 10 damages amounting t.
800. 1t WAS incumbent on Congress to pro
vide for these cases. aud as Government
Charged the patentce $50 for his patent, ther,
was proprety in fixing upon that sum as the
limit oil damages on which he might obtain
COSTS
Mr.. Webster not Directing, the amendment
was agreed to.
The Committee then rose and reported
both b,lis-and they were both ordered 10 he
enSrossad for "a third reading
The HOus went 0to u Committee Of the
Whole, Mr. Fnoie ia the chair, on the bill for
the relief of Wn. Bartlett, aud Juhn SIearns
and others which, after some debate, in
witch Messrs. Newton, M'Coy, Hobart
Re J. aud F'mlins,n took part, was reported
without amendment, and ordered 10 be en-.
gross Il for third reading
And the House adjourned.