The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-12-08
From the N. Y. Erenntg Post.


lHE BOOh PUBLISHERS ON COPYRIGHT.
The other day We referred to the movement Of the
American Copyright Club, composed chiefly of au-
thors and editors, in favor Of the rights of literary
property. We are to-day enabled to show how that
movement has been seconded by class of citizens
whose Interests have been supposed TO conflict with
those authors we mean, the publishers, whose me-
mortal to Congress follows:
To The Honorable The Senate and House Of Representa-
res Of The United States in Congress assembled
The undersigned Publishers and Vendors Of Books
in the United States, respectfully represent TO your
Honorable Body, that deeply iftere. cd they are
not only as booksellers IN particular but also as Anne
rican citizens IN general In The greatest possible diff
fusion of knowledge and sound literature they feel
fully convinced by their experience traders in
books, that the present law regulating literary pro-
perty is seriously injurious both TO the advancement
OF American literature, and TO that very extensive
branch of American industry which compartments the
whole mechanical department of book making. 1t
is alike injurious TO the business Of PUBLISHING and to
the best aud ruest interests ofthc people at large.
Your mcmoralists, after a careful and mature con-
sideraon OF the important subject, fully satisfied
that the great interest Of knowledge and industry-of
those who provide the community with reading and
of the vast reading community itself-would be most
essentially promoted by the passing Of a law which
would secure TO the authors of all nations the
sole right TO dispose OF their compositions for publ
cation in the United States, (whether they may be
published in foreign countries not) provided, al
ways the book be printed in the United States with.
in certain time ITO be settled by law after its pub
LEGATION in a foreign count and provided, Also that
the copyright for this country shall be transferable
from the author 10 American resident publishers only.
Your memorialists satisfied that this equitable
proteo ton would enable the publishers to furnish
their felow-citizers both with foreign and American
literature in such forms and al such prices would
truly meet the wants well the of the peo
pie, while the writers OF books would receive the just
compensation for their labor and talent wherever
their works may be read. Your memorialists are Of
opinion that the interests of authors publishers and
purchasers reciprocal, those of the producer
and consumer always are.
Your memorlaists would also refer 10 the fact that
no more than a such a. they respectfully bu
urgently DESIRE is necessary in order 10 at
To American authors a copyr ght for The b,oksi in
Great Britain.
Your memoralists, Therefore, respectfully request
youi Honorable Body to take into consider alton the
present law of copyright in be United States, and to
such law may secure TO the authors of foreign
nations the right to dispose Of their works TO Ameri
can publishers 10 be pr 1ed in this country, providing
that such right shall end to the authors OF those
countries only, whose governments have granted or
may grant reciprocal privilege 10 our authors and
with such other provisions may seem 10 your wis
dom to Re desirable and Just.
! And your ne norialists, &c. &c.
1t gives us pleasure to state that this application hos
been signed by twenty-five Of the principal booksel-
lers of Boston; thirty-six in the city Of New York
eighteen in Philadelphia; twenty in Now Haven,
Hartford, and Salem besides a &c number of 9th
rs in Utica, Buffalo, and other cities and towns in
the interior of the country. We on It the names
| Of firms that may be supposed TO do threc-ioulths y
not more, Of all the publication that is done in tn,
United States
The memorials, ii will be SEEM urge the ncccssit,
Of legislation TO the rights OF authors, both
the ground Of their own immediate pecunisry intcrcs
in the reform, and of the large interests Of the com
munity in higher and better native literature.
They recommend the passage Of law estsblisbin
the sole right Of the writers Of all nations to d.pos
" their compositions, which Is placing the matter i