Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-08-06
TO THE EDITORS.

CHARLESTON, Is. CO. JUIr 81, 1853.
cENrLEaEs Permit me 10 trespass upon your valua-
Die time as conductors Of leading journal at the seat OF
government, and evidently the best medium through
Whch 70 attract the attention Of the powers that be to
what may be considered common grievance
In pamphlet issued from the Patent Office at WASH
ngton for the regulation Of persons having business with
that Office there is clause authorizing any person 10
leave the models Of any invention with the Collectors Of
different ports designated by stated list where such
deposites may be made. This document, coming as it
does from the Department ct Washington is naturally
enough, considered sufficient authority to govern the ae
ton Of any embryo pateRtee who may feel disposed to
avail himself OF K Bat appears that such not the
fact
On application Of the writer of this to the Collector
here with request that he would forward the models Of
invention to the Patent Office, according to the
aforesaid regulations he requested be shown the docu
ment, and after perusal Of the clause in question he
replied that II authority fer him, as lie had no
such instructions from the Secretary the Treasury the
only authority he acknowledged apply any funds for
that purpose. He also cited another in point of
applicant from the interior of State, who made
application Of the same nature and upon the
grounds which he dscued to comply with but the do
cnent in question being produced he was somewhat
alta loss to know the Of it until produced my
coy, the authority Of which in relation to himself he
diavowed as before stated lie also informed that
at Ter coming into Office he observed discovered small
WHICH hau been there since
CPlector Pringle-nearly twenty years, perhaps He
directed it to be opened, and found contained the
model Of small machine, but the of it is unknown
II not improbable that this is of very many
az the kind, where the inventors have deposited
their models with Collectors under the impression that
they would be daily forwardedto the Patent Once, but
which have been neglected for Of proper ingtruc
tons from the Secretary. Who tell without proper
inquiry Investigation how many useful improvements
inventions may thus have lain totally dsregarded and
lost TO the public
Is it not subject well worthy OF the attention Of the
Secretary Of the Treasury that proper instructions be
forwarded to the collectors Of each port in relation to
packages now hand which may hereafter come into
their possession?
In the same document will be found prescribed form
Of receipt be given by the subreasurers their
ceiying Patent Office fees This also appears TO be
dead letter. they refuse TO sign any such receipt and
merely give you for dues TO the Patent Office without
sut;ng whether be for caveat PATENT &C., and thus
lessenng chances Of evidence in the event of any
CARNATIONS being made upon the Patent Office In every
particular the directions and forms prescribed appear TO
be entirely dead letter. and only calculated to mislead
applicants distance from the different custom houses
Collectors presume like all other functionaries Of
the Government who disposed to all LETT
tsrs addressed to them subjects which they consider
irrelave the duties Of their Office (of the extent Of
which they likely to be very tenacious and the in
curing public are thus compelled to have to
publication which, though apparently emanating from
the best authority is evidently calculated unless some
action be taken Washington to result in disparaging
future efforts in tia. branch of industry Finding how
matters stood having .s application refused the wr
ter Of this paid tie freight through By Adams Co.'S
Express and resolved call your attention to this mat
ter as the proper channel through which effort should
be made 70 correct evil the future extent Of which
cannst be ascertainei. CITIZEN