The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-14
THE INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT QUESTION.

To THE EDITOR or THE HERALD
SIR-In the Times OF october TO- 1871, there ap.
peared an ambltlously ELUSIVE letter from all
American citizen named w. II. Appleton, 'In VIM
dlcation,'' not only OF "my nrm." but OF 'the
American people," from the wicked and baseless
ISLANDERS of certain British authors who had dared
resent the systematic plumber OF their works by
American publishers. alt was" he said, IA stand
ing charge that the present treatmest OF English
authors by American publishers was dlsgracelul."
To this charge he gave "a nat contradiction"
.'His firm had Iabored Tor years TO establish direct
relations with British authors, so that they miyht
get the entire profits OF authorship on that side the
| Atlantic They (his FIRM had not wished for an
International copyright law, but had practically
anticipated 1t and gwen our authors its benefits.
The letter bold, so indignant, so plausible
that even some English authors began to feel
ashamed OF their species think that this time
1t an angel Of light VINO had been
depicted In another form. but few more
asuLe than the resi- still mad q suspicion
that there was a hoof concealed somewhere be-
meath the silver wings Indeed, Mr.. W. II. Apple
ject 10 one peculiar modiIicaton namely, that he
was to make something by II. III The foreign au-
thor applies to them first and they then publish his
book they feel themselves morally bound to pay
HIM !" In other WORDS Mr. W. II. Applet0ns mo-
rality was very mucn IKE that OF thief who should
Will employ me as your agent on commission; but
II you employ any one else to sell your goods I'm
ii
Mr.. W. Ii. Appleton's "hrm' have accordingly
acted up TO this standard OF morality. 1t now APP
pears clear to me that the letter IN the Times was
an acute way or cheap advertisement OF ''vur nrm"
10 British authors. among whom MIR. Appleton said
he had been extending his arrangements. It was
'Gil Bias" az a warning that you passed his hat
without a voluntary contribution az your peril Ac-
cordingly, having on the strength OF the prOtesta-
tons Of Mr. Appleton ana others that there
was an honorable understanding among the
sSeets Of my new work %od Bantam 70
Messrs. ROuedge Sons. OF New York,
for handsome sum down and tne usual ROYALTY on
ut fair price tDan Messrs. Appleton pirate ana
issue 1t at price which cannot possibly do more than
cover the cost OF printing and advertising For the
miserable satisfaction OF rebuking the author. VINO
has taken Mr.. Appletons significant hint, 1, the
rem In Mr. Applelon's trade, are, in defiance OF all
morality except that OF w. II. Appet0nl OF trade
courtesy and OF good feeling, deprived Oh any posi-.
Fortunately the profits are TO me q matter OF in
difference, but the character OF the American PEG.
pie is not Living among them Tor some years until
mad almost become one OF them grateful TO them
Tor muoh that received and much that learned
from s n sS e ana ras ts csm Of
older Communities feel Jhat am peculiarly en-.
piled to resent In strong 4ncash not acao%s
name or great people. The Americans
should Hs% never forget now much they owe 70
powerful pens have been engaged In keeping En-
glishmen right upon American questions-how
home, In brotheriy way, to millions OF American
hearts, With all tnls IN view and with the proud
ambition to wear sPQt!ess reputation, am sure
that the American people Viii strongly reprobate
such disregard OF moral claims, 6f Qads courtesy
and OF international esteem as that Or Which the
pretenous writer Ia the Times and mis- flrm have
been guilty. I decline TO discuss the matter with
Messrs Appleton. II my books were printed by
them in perpetuity should never nave business
transaction win "firm" that could act they
have done. simply appeal TO the good feeling or
The American reading puolic. and ask them II they
Will not IN the face OF tins incident, that our
rights are protected by law in manner generous
their English brethren as just 10 American pup.
fishers. - 49,.
One word more. I half anticipate that Messrs d.
Appleton Co. will attempt the miserable apology
that Messrs. Rouiledge Sons are not American
publishers. II they do 1 leave them to be dealt
with py yourself and all honest Americans. l am,
Sir, your faithful servant,
EDWARD JENKINS,
author Of "Ginxs Baby" lord Bantam" &c.
TEMPLE. LONDON, !sn y, isls; s,,77-rs.