The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-27
Communications.

......s..s.sa ron THE MADIsoNsAN.
In compliance with your request for information
concerning my system have the honor to address TO
You the following lines, which will serve to convey
general idea of what propose.
In the first place. invite thepubishers ofhe United
States to give copies, the European publishers do,
OF each American work, which, being sent abroad,
may secure copyrights to the authors proprietors
both in France and in Belgium; and also five copies
of each republication ofworks by British authors be
sent as specimens and in erehangs TO France, Prus-
sia Russia, Austria, and Spain these works, when
placed in the public establishments Of those countries
will form permanent exhibition Of American produc-
tons from which the United States derive great
advantages for, every amateur Of books engravings,
maps, &c. would, account Of the universal feeling
Of goodwill towards this country, be anxious to pos
sess collection Of American editions Of English
authors which could, moreover, be obtained at much
less expense than those from Britain. AT least two
thousand persons visit our public Libraries in Paris
every day and of these doubt not that at least eight
ten each day would be induced To purchase copies
of some Of those American editions il the specimens
were placed, they would be, in such manner to
attract general attention. and the editors of reviews
and newspapers would thus be enabled 10 notice them
II may be here remarked, that, hitherto, the greater
part ofthe English works, maps, SC. the
tncnt of Europe, whether British or American have
been supposed to be British An important branch of
commerce would thus be opened to the United
States, the productions Of which would be spread
through the Old World, where an opportunity would
at the same time be afforded Of also spreading its arts
| sciences and influence
In the next place, let certain number of models of
each newly invented machine or instrument be given
by the inventor, 10 be sent in exchange, to France,
England, Russia Germany, and other countries, by
which means the inventor may secure to himself and
his native land the honor of the discovery and the
right Of patent in such country Moreover the exhi-
bon of these models win procure for him. wherever
they seen market for his Instruments or ma
chimes, besides enabling him to avoid the loss of mo-
ney and time which would otherwise attend his en-
deavors to obtain patent right abroad
The inventions which arc the most simple and
most easily initiated, often the most useful, and
the inventor in many cases is unable to meet the
pcnses requisite for obtaining patent-rgh, in other
countries that he is often deprived of the fruit Of
his labors, and of the honor of inventions These
inventions will doubtless be improved by American
the United States will probably far exceed that Of
those imported from Europe, balance will remain in
favor of the former nation to be met by the receipt of
works fine arts, literature, and science from the
Old World.
The exchange Of weights, measures, and coins,
would be highly advantageous, particularly to the
United States, which is, and must be always, com
mercial nation. Equally beneficial would be the ex-
change Of State papers, &c of the Federal Govern
men and of the State Governments for those of Eu-
ropean nations. Minerals, plants, woods, and even
reptiles Of the United States might be made balance
the importatons of European works of arts and
sciences.
In order to effect these ends, propose that pub
fishers throughout the United States Immediately in
vite the Government TO accept on deposte certain
number of all books, engravings, maps, &c published
by them and the execution Of this and other parts
Of the system of exchange would occasion some ex-
pcnse il seems to that this might bewth proprety
and with due respect to the object Of the testaor de-
aycd by appropriating part of the revenue of the
Smithsonian legacy.
Tha, the States Of the Union, 10 ,n.om Titus rem
hre, through NE medium of Congress, 10 address my
seu be invited 10 establish State Libraries and mu
Ia,
and doubtless in other States and to appropriate GER
tain annually for the acquisition of books and OBJ
ccts Of science arts and natural history relating 10
their state respectively, for the purpose Of ex
change with the other States and with other countries
Exchange might in this manner likewise be made of
original documents, or copies of such documents relat
ing TO the history Of different countries
From what have here said, it may be seen that the
system of exchange proposed takes nothing from any
one and gives to all it at least enables every one by
parting with that which is useless of little value 10
him. TO obtain other and desirable objects and in or
der to carry into effect little else is required than
disposition to do
am, gentlemen respectfully, yours,
ALEXANDRA VATTEMARE.
WASHINGTON, 18th June 1910
A DIsoNfAN