New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-08-03
TIE POsTliAsTER-GENERALA AND THE PATENTEE5
OF THE UNITED STATES.

To the Edftor Of The Trfbune.
SIR: The reletting Of the contract for the
supply OF the Post-Oace stamped envelopes, which is
about to take place under the direction of the Postmaster
General promises 20 involve highly important questions
~ patent g 20 which the attention OF holders OF this
species OF propert should be invited BY reference 10
the published invitation for proposals to supply these
postal envelopes il Will be- 5ecn that the Postmaster
vcOpe, certain Improvements thereon, which are tine
subject OF letters patent and that he requires the later
he furnished without extra cost to the government
This extraordinary advertisement, by which patented
and unpatened articles brought into such curious
interference OF Congress with The cOnsumnaton OF the
last contract for furnishing stamped envelopes awarded
veope have construed 1t into invita-
ton TO commit the crime of patent piracy upon the i'm
provements referred and therefore preparing
informed to commit this Oensc trusting to te con
niyance Of the Government Their plan OF operations as
avOwed Is simple and effective. They are 10 put IN
their bids in the usual way proposing to supply the aT
ces required and II the contract is awarded to one OF
paentees which, If they accept, well and good. II,
however the patentees reject the Offer and insist upon
compensation commensurate with the expenditure OF
time labor and money in making and introducing their
Inventions the contractor simply refuses to make IT, or
continue the litigation until the expiration of the
tract then 10 effect compromise invest his profits In
be placed beyond the reach of execution issued
10 satisfy judgments for damages If, therefore,
these persons rightly constituting the intentions OF the
PostmasterGcnera as expressed in this advertisement
the elettng of this contract must establish precedent
cSt Of every inventor pateutee, license under patents
and holders OF patent property throughout the Un0d
States It's first effect considered in connection with the
threat Of Senator Morrill, To cOniscate patent rights for
the of the government would be to deprecate tins
kind of property generally. It's second effect would be
90 render comparatively worthless all that portion of t
liable to be thus cOnscated prated upon, which prac
tcally amounts 10 the thing. IL Is but justice 20
the Postmaster General, however, that should state,
that all the patent propricors with whom have con
versed on this subject, and who have examined tho
advertisement referred TO- rcpudate the construction
thus placed upon it, They can see nothing IN the
advertisement which would justify the inference that its
author intends To become receiver OF stolen goods for
the accommodation of these wOudbe contractors. on tho
contrary they insist that expressly stipulated that
these patented Improvements TO be paid for aud not
stolen pretended. They also argue that tho Post
master General who has dared to throw down the
gauntlet 10 Congress upon the question Of the abO ton
OF that giant abuse of our postal system. the frankng
privilege and to fearlessy discharge his duty In the
premises, not the person 10 forfeit the reputation he
has thus acquired and his entire future public man.
by nauguratng a upon progress and civilization.
In which opinions coincide. But in view OF possible
construction such Is insisted upon by the parties
fcrred TO- and its disastrous effects upon the property
which represents large proportion Of the entire wealth
of the nation, have deemed II to be my duty, as an
extensive holder of this kind OF property 10 invite atten
ton 10 the subject and 10 the rumors which refer to
IL. Yours, Up.
RcW- York, Aug. |, 1870.