The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-07-18


converted into contributors, instead Of despoiIers.
Ii might be said by many, in reference 10 this
question, that generosity begat generosity. Now
he confessed be had great reliance upon this prn
cipie; concession not the necessary pyogenitor
Of reciprocity. IL was undoubtedly the first duty
of nation 20 protect and secure the rights Of
It's own subjects; and this country having done
that which just in offering TO other nations pro-
lection to their works, he (the chairnlan) thought
Il was most unjust to authors by any act Of
Parliament construction OF any act, to sanction,
couraged their iabors aud diminished their profits.
Sir Edward then proceeded to point out at considc
rabie length. thatit was quite impossible for Ameri
ca 10 encourage healthfui national literature
whilst the people OF that country had the opportu-
nifty OF getting works at much cheaper rate
than shey could purchase their own The system
pursuod IN America--y.z., that OF smuggling En-
ghsh literature and selling it at the lowest price
usthave . great effect upon the style of American
compositions and thus the literature of that coun-
Try become reflection and an imitation of our own
literature rather than the spontaneous Offspring of
oiiIarent society growing up under different as
The honorable chairman next alluded 10 the ef-
feet produced by the non existence Of an intorna
tional copyright in Belgium; and upon this point
he observed that in matters OF commerce, a1rioul-
ture. and in all the business of material liie okat
country unsurpassed upon the continent; but
as 10 liberation, they had none. Some years ago Bel
GUM gave promise of future excellence in that re-
spect, but that promise had been extinguished be-
cause the literature of the country depended upon
a wholesale piracy of works published in France.
With regard 10 America he might speak In SINH
lar language, for although they had many great
works TO boast of they rather the children Of
tormer generations than of the present age; and
however much he might admire the Americans In
other respects he could not but observe that they
were not making any improvements in their lite
nature, or bringing forward any production equal
20 those of past times There could be but one
cause for this state of things, viz. the absence of
an international copyright in the countries he had
mentioned.
He regretted that he found himself opposed to
many great publishers, including Mr. Murray and
Mr. Bentley, upon this question; and it was with
the profoundest submission that he stated an opn-
ion contrary to that of Lord Campbell, who was
one OF the brightest ornaments OF the long line of
English Judges but he felt that after the part he had
taken upon the subject ofcopyrght, he could not re-
frain from expressing his belief that its object was
now seriously endangered. In giving these opin-
ions. he held himself free from al political consid-
erntions with which the question unfortunately
embarrassed, and he trusted that nothing that
might be said upon the present occasion would
tend to irrtate excite the feelings Of their rans-
atlantic brethren, (whosc love Of nationality he adj
mired,) or TO belle those sentiments Of affection
aud respect which they profess to feel for the Amer
leans their cordial allies in the glorious mission
Of civilization. ICheers.l
MIR. BONN then read long pamphlet, setting
forth his views upon the subject, and proposed q
resolution to the effect that the meeting viewed
with apprehension the recent decision of the court
OF error reversing the previous decision Of the court
OF exchequer, and thereby declaring that foreign
authors resident abroad entitled TO British copy
right, although subjects of State which declines to
avail iself OF the international copyright act. That
such decision, If finally established, must prove
extremely preudicinl to the interests of British
literature in all departments, whilst it removes q
material inducement to the acceptance by foreign
States Of the International Copyright act.
DR.. Worthington seconded the resolutions and
read the following extract from DIR. Johnson show
ing that the great photographer encouraged tho
very principle that they were now advocating
"There seems to be in authors q stronger right Of
properly inan that py ocGupancyIa mstaphysicai
from its nature be perpeual but the consent of ma
tions 10 against il; for, it to be perpetual no
book, however useful could be universally diffused
among mankind, should the proprietor take it in
his head TO restrain its circulation For the good
OF the world, therefore, whatever individual work
has once been created by author, and issued out
by him, should be understood no longer in hia
power, but as belonging to the public; at the same
time the author Is entitled to an adequate reward
This be should have by an exclusive right to his
work for a considerable number of years .
MIR. Ernest Jones proposed an amendment to the
effect that the meeting regarded with satisfaction
The recent decision Of Lord Campbell ono of the
first preparatory steps towards the establishment
of a law OF international copyright.
Mr.. Wilks, bookseller, seconded the amend
meut.
Some ciscussion then cnsued. in the course of
which Mr. Henry Colburn. the publisher, ex-
prcesed an opinion that the tera ture of the conn
try seriously endangered by the present un
satisfactory staie Of tie law as affecting copy
rights.
Mr. Jcf1rcys, the defendant in the cause of ssBoo-
scy cs Jefireys, offered some observations respect
ing the difficulties which beset the authors and
publishers OF music, in consequence of the want Of
a proper adjustment of the copyright question.
Several other gentlemen addressed tho meeting,
some in support Of the original resolution, and a
few Of them in furthcrance Of the amendment, and,
after protracted discussion, the former was car
ried
Mr. O. Cruikshank proposed n resolution, to the
effect that the subject of great national in
Ierest and Importance, and that the expense of de-
the meaning of the law ought not TO de-
volyc upon private individual, and that society
be established TO take all necessary steps with
view 10 proper adjustment of the question.
MIR. McFarlane seconded the resolution.
Mr.. IA. Mayhem then to move an amend
'ncnt, which was calculated to question the policy
Of propriety of giving any countcnance 10 the
meeting, but il being decided that his motion did
not refer to the original resolution, MIR. Mayhem
bat at the same time expressed himself
IN very strong tcrms against the orginators of the
The resolution then put and carried
IL was next resolved that an appeal be made to
The House OF Lords for a reversion of the decision
Df the court Of error and in the event OF such
appeal being unsuccessful, that application be
made for decaratory act of Parliament to deter
mine the real state of the law regards copy
light.
After this the meeting separated, with a vote of
hanks TO the Oh sirman.
NoRTnwEsTrRs VIRGINIA RAILROAD CHARrKH
sEcvsxp.--At the time Of going to prcss