The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-05-11
interesting Law case aud Argument.

The Circuit Court Of The United States, for this
District, Judges Wayne and Gichrist presidinAl
was occupied, on Friday and Saturday last with the
trial Of the case OF j. w AIoticys. w. j. Bennett
involving the validity of the patent Of Wooiworfh's
Plan pe, Growing and Tongueing Machine. and the
question Of Us Infringement by the defendant. a
bill was filed by the pnintiil on the Equity side OF
the Court, setting forth his exclusive right 10 the
machine, Assignee Of the patenlee for Charleston
and its vicinity, and It's infringement by the defend
~, lwho had erected and put in operation similar
nachine) and claiming pGr petua injunction against
the further use OF The machine by the defcndnnt and
AN account for Intermediate damages The FIST day
Of the triad was consumed by the reading OF the
peadnss and papers and by the evidence, and the
&c ond dny was occupied by the argument. The de-
ieadent offered no evidence, but insisted on his com-
mon law right OF trial by Jury both to the validity
Of plaintiffs patent and It's alleged infringement.
The case was argued, for the defendant, BY our
distinguished advocates, j, L. Pegru md G.. G..
Mennnger, Esqrs, with their wonled utility and
ingenuity.
The plaintiff was represented by the Hon. William
Ii. Seward, Of New York, who had been specially
retained in the cause, in consequence OF his extensive
experience in patent cases generally (Which are rare
in this fegon) and Of his frequent engagement In
cases arising under tie Woodwork patent. The ar
gunent Of Mr.. Seward was one of high and impress
sive ability, fully sustaining his reputation for loren
sic cmnence, and ustifying the plaintiff in his Sc
lection fan advocate. The exordium Of MI. Sew
nds speech combined noble defence of the policy
Of our patent laws In securing 10 inventive genius
|
influence of machinery In extending Tho power and
promoting the comfort, civilization and improvement
ofthe human race. His whole argument was emil
neny lucd and logical replete with happy illusra-
lions, and interepersod with frequent bursts Of elo
Inence and occasional strokes Of refined hulnor. 1t
was rendered additionally interesting and attractive
TOO by the familiarity which The distinguished speak,
er exhibited with the principles Of mechanism in
general and the exceedingly clear and practical man.
ner In which he explained principle and operation
ri The particular machine under consideration. He
insisted In conclusion, lhnt he had mnde ont his
case thai no had proved the validity Of the patent
The tile Of the plaintiff. Infringement BY the de.
fendanii and that the Court in cnse so clenr and
especially where the defendant had offered no evi-
denco had no need of jury either 10 inform conyc
ence or resolye doubt, and had right and was bound
10 adiudge the cause without such aid
large audience was assembled 10 enjoy the intel.
lcctnal combal and the qualifications off the occasion
wore not litle enhanced by the pleasant interchange
of coureses between the well-mntched antagonists.
The Conri took time TO decide the cause Charles
ton Courier, IN inst