The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-14

II appears by our reports of the proceedings OF
Congress yesterday, that Mr. Benton is not salts
ned with the fate 10 which the bill granting 10 the
State OF Missouri two per cent or all the public
lands sold within her boundaries, was consigned
and has given notice of his intention to introduce
another bill for the same purpose II Col. Benton
supposes after the emphatic vote which was given
on the first bill that he introduced, that there is
any probability of the second one passing, he Is
more credulous than we had imagined him TO be.
The joint resolution authorizing the President 10
confer the rank of Lieutenant General, by brevet,
was passed by vote of thirty to sixteen. This
far the Senate is concerned, is equiva-
lent to comforting on Gen. Scott the rank OF Lieu.
tenant General for his services in the Mexi-
eau war We hope the House will agree TO 1t.
An effort was made in the Senate TO postpone
prior orders, and take up the bill to amend the
patent laws. So much scheming aud under hand
work has been DEVELOPED, in connection with
patents. within short time, that we con-
hdent the interests Of inventors, and OF the public
at large, will be best served by postponing he
question for the present. We do not any
necessity for hurry in this matter. The bull now
before the Senate for tho amendment of the patept
laws, Is no', as far as We can Judge, urged ~
Paientses, but by those who dispute, whether
rightly or not we do not know, the nights of
patenees 10 the patents which they have acquire d.
From all tia We have heard, there is no doubt
there are patents in force which ought 10 be ex-
tinQu ishtd-the Wood worth patent, for instance
and Others which are valid, morally and legally,
bur which outsiders wish to have declared Invalid,
because they are pireting upon them. Con ader-
ing the great interests at stake in this matter we
should think il very unad dsable, at this time,
without preparation, or perfect knowledge OF the
question, 10 pass eny law on the subject numberoi
petentees and pirates have been annoy ing the public
for a number of years past with their cou'rover-
SECS sud thols AMOS Of dol ars have been expended
m publishing advertisements for the purpose OF
convincing the public that both parties are righi.
We have refused to publish the statements ema-
mating from either party, because they were con-
Trajectory, and We did not know, nor did We care
10 take the trouble Of ascertalnng the merits OF the
controversy. Thee must be iniquity some where,
however; for where there has so much smoke
there must be some FIRE. The best method for
Congress 10 pursue, therefore, instead of tinker.
ing the paien; laws this session, is to appoint
committee, with power to send for persons and
papers, and give authority 10 that committee to ia
suIre into the whole subject, and report al the
next session. Any amendment during the present
session might work injury to deserving parties, and
help those who have bsen for years, pirating upon
the brains Of others, by stopping suits comneaces
against them for the recovery Of damages.
The resolution TO indemnify Mr. Richie for bis
loss in his contract for he public printing, was re-
1eued back to the Committee on Priniing with ia.
struc,ons TO report wheher Mr.. Richie hIs exc
cpt.d the public priaiing agreeaby 70 his contract.
and what cum he his lost by it. The remainder
Of the days session was occupied in discussing The
River and liGfbor bill, dauag which, some rather
singular and extraordinary remarks were in ,aigei
IN, and the body vas 10 the utmos, confasi1a
Under our teegraphtc head, our readers will
snd Il ter from Gen. sam Houston, on the pee
seat state Of the country Considering the position
which the writer holds towards the country, his
opinions a this tine are worthy Of being r "A AMI
rehstied upon.