The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1866-01-11
History of the American Patent once.

ing applications for the discovery of any
the Secretary of War and the Attorney
General, constituting Board for that
purpose, who issued the Letters"
which, upon examination by the Attor-
ney-Genera of the United States within
given period, were signed by the Presi-
dent Of the United States.
To a single clerk in the Department of
State, then held in Philadelphia, was as
signed the duty of fllng papers and
copying schedules of patents The de
struetion by fire of the public archives,
in 1914, renders 1t difficult TO give his
name
The act of February, 81, 1903, re-
peals that of April, 1870, yet all patents
issued under the former act were valid,
and the labors of preparation Of the
. Letters were assigned to the Depart
ment Of State, under charge of a clerk.
In 1900, when the seat of Govern
ment was removed to Washington from
Philadelphia, a distinguished man OF
genius, fine writer and scholar, and a
great lover of the fine arts. DR.. William
Thornton, was appointed the clerk. He
was born in the island OF 'iortola, in the
West Indies, of American descent lie
enjoyed the confidence of General
Washington, and his design of the east
front of the original capitol was adopted
by the Great Chief DIR Thornton was
an Intimate friend of John Fitch aud
Robert Fulton Of steam notoriety. The
doctor was wealthy, and fond of fine
horses He was ono cf tle original
ost , ~,-
Washington had a great regard for him
The Patent Once was then located in
large three story LGl1ing, known as
' Blodgett's Hotel which was on a
part of the second story. and the mail de
partment Of the Post O lice filed the re
majnder. In the northwest room of the
third story was a fine musical instru
mcnt of Dr. IhortoA's. The old .Blod
gett Foter' stood upon the site OF the
present south front Of the General Post
Office.
When the British, in 1914, proposed
burning the building, Dr. T, IN the most
fearless Yet gentlemanly manner, rode
up to Admiral Cockburn, and calculated,
- Is the character cf the British to rival
the Nandals in a war upon the fine arts.
by the destruction of this building z
which he then first called the g Patent Of
flee" lit had been known as " Blod
gets Hotel" The effect was electric,
for while the capitol and navy yard and
rope walk were in flames, the British
sailor rode off and quaffed his wine in
Capitol Hall, at no time expressing any
regret that " "Thort0n's toy-shop" was
left standing.
This building was afterward occupied
in the winter OF 1914 15 by both Hous-
es of Congress, when the Patent Office
writing was done at the house of the
clerk, George Lyon, who resided near by.
1t was re- occupied in 1916 by the Patent
Office. Congress having secured aecon-
modations in the Brick Capitol"
George Lyon, clerk in the Patent OF
flee, died in Isl7, and William Elliot was
appointed first clerk under DR. Thornton
known as Superintendent" DR. T.
died in 1897, and is buried in the Con
gressional Burying Ground aud he and
his friend Elliot, mathematician and as
tronomer-lie within q few yards of each
other.
Thornton and Elliot were assisted by
another clerk, r. W. Fenwick, and this
constituted almost the entire force of the
establishment
In 1928, Thomas p Jones was sp-
pointed to the Superintendency, and he
was succeeded in 1880 by DR.. j. d.
Craig, who remained in office till 1886.
On July 1, 1886, law was passed en-
tirely remo,lelng the Office. and repeal
ing the former acts The law provided
for commissioner. Chief Clerk, an Ex-
amsuer. and three other clerks, one of
whom must be competent draugtsman
and q machinist There are other i'm
portant provisions relating to the appli
cation for patents still in force. hut
which are not necessary to be repeated
here The Commissioner Of Patents,
unlike the heads OF othec bureaus. re
ports annually to Congress, and not to
the Secretary.
On the 18Th OF December. 1886, fire
was discovered in the building occupied
ly the Patent Office. Amos Kendall,
postmaster General, with some assist
ance, was enasked to save records and
documents from the Post Office, but SO
rapid were the flames that nothing was
saved from the Patent Office.
Hon NJ Ruggles, Chairman of the
Investigating Committee Of the Senate.
in his report, alIuding to the destruction
of models drawings. and records, saws:
-" They not only embraced the whole
history of American invention for half
century, but were the muniments of
propertv of vast amount The Patent
Office contained also the largest and
most interesting collection of models in
the world.
Henry L. Ellsworth vas the first Com
missioner He devoted himself with in
dustry and ability to the organization of
the Office. He also established the ag
riculturh division, now become so use
ful and important. He remained in Of
fee seven years. and was succeeded by
Mr. Edmund Burke, who bestowed much
labor On the office
Mr.. Thomas Ewbank succeeded Mr..
Burke in lS45 his reports evince indua
trv aud ability His successor was Mr..
Silas II Hodges, who was appointed by
President Fillmore He remained how
ever, but short time in office. Mr..
Hodges now holds the position Of Exam