REPORT ON THE PATENT OFFICE FOR 1823
From Vol I of the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Patents 1790-1836, copy in Commissioner's private official library
pages 783-787
Report of the Committee on the expenditures of the Department of State on the Patent Office
February 7, 1823
Read, and ordered to lie on the table
The Committee on the expenditures of the Department of State, to whom was referred the letter of the Secretary, of December 3d, 1822, accompanied by one addressed to him by the Superintendent of the Patent Office.
REPORT
That they have examined the subject referred to them, and find that such was the decayed or injured condition of many of the models in the Patent Office, that, during the summer past, it was deemed a duty, by the Department, to employ an artist to repair such as were in the greatest state of dilapidation; that the said artist has been employed since the twenty-third day of August last, at a compensation of two dollars per day; that many of the models are very complicated and of delicate structure, and by the frequent handling of the numerous persons who visit the Office, are very liable to be injured; and that many of them are already so much injured as to require repairs for their preservation from entire destruction. That the Department has suggested the propriety of making provision for the permanent employment of an artist, for the purpose of repairing them, and keeping them in a constant state of preservation.
The committee have been furnished with a statement from the Patent Office, from which it appears, that, since the institution of the Office, about three thousand five hundred patents have been issued, and that about one thousand eight hundred models of machines have been deposited in the Patent Office.
It is evident, from this statement, that more than half of the patents that have been issued under the Patent act, have been for mechanical inventions; and it appears, from the statement accompanying this report, as well as from inspection, that a large proportion of them are calculated to facilitate the labors of agriculture, manufactures, and navigation.
Inventions of this kind involve new combinations of the mechanic powers; and their utility consists in their subjecting these powers to a more efficient operation in their applications to practical uses. Every improvement in mechanical operations, serves as a guide to new combinations and different applications, and leads to further inventions: such inventions deserve every encouragement in a country where it is an object to cheapen labor. It is supposed by competent judges, that the single machine for cleaning cotton has saved the United States more than half a million of dollars, in superceding the necessity of manual labor.
The object in establishing the Patent Office, was the preservation of the models of the inventions, which may be deemed of sufficient importance to merit preservation. It is the object of the model, no less than the specification, to secure to the patentee the exclusive enjoyment of his invention during the continuance of his patent; to guard others from interfering with his rights; and to enable the public to enjoy the benefit of the invention, after the monopoly shall have expired. It is of some importance, in this case, also to observe, that, in many instances, the model is the test of the nature and extent of the invention, and forms the rule by which subsequent improvements are ascertained, and secured to the inventors; for, although the specification, or a certified copy of it, is the legal evidence of the invention, yet, many machines are so complicated, that no one but a skilful artist can comprehend their construction or mode of operation, without the inspection of a model; and in all case of dispute, respecting the extent of improvements in the principles of original machines of any complexity, it is impossible for a court or jury to judge correctly, without a model exhibiting the improvements.
If it be deemed desirable to preserve the models of inventions, for these purposes, it seems absolutely necessary that they should be preserved entire.
The committee will further observe, that the Patent Office is supported by the fees paid by the patentees; and that the receipts of the Office, since its establishment, exceed the expenditure by a very considerable amount.
Your committee are therefore of opinion, that an artist should be permanently employed, for the purpose of repairing, and keeping in constant preservation, the models of the Patent Office; and that a clause should be added to some proper bill, making an appropriation for that purpose.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
List of models in the Patent Office January 21, 1823
Propelling boats ................................... 38
Carding machines ................................... 8
Making carriage wheels ............................. 4
Ploughs ............................................ 65
Thrashing machines ................................. 20
Winnowing machines ................................. 25
Bridges ............................................ 13
Saw mills .......................................... 26
Water mills ........................................ 17
Wind mills ......................................... 7
Water wheels ....................................... 26
Pumps .............................................. 66
Presses ............................................ 56
Looms .............................................. 45
Stocking looms ..................................... 3
Spinning machines .................................. 28
Fire engines ....................................... 10
Steam mills ........................................ 14
Nail cutting machines .............................. 95
Machines for making barrels, &c. ................... 1
Mud machines ....................................... 7
Flax dressing machines ............................. 6
File cutting machines .............................. 6
Machines for cutting Dye-woods ..................... 6
Cloth shearing machines ............................ 16
Straw cutting machines ............................. 10
Boring machines .................................... 3
Locks .............................................. 12
Guns ............................................... 2
____
635
For various other purposes ...................... 1,184
_____
Total 1,819
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Register's Office
January 29th, 1823
Sir:
In compliance with the request contained in your letter of the 23d inst. which I had the honor to receive, I beg leave to transmit, herewith, a statement of the annual receipts and expenditures of the Patent Office, from its establishment to the 31st December, 1821, so far as the records of this office have enabled me.
The vouchers for the contingent expenses of the Department of State, with which those of the Patent Office are blended, are, at this time, in that Department, for the purpose of forming a statement, under a recent resolution of the House of Representatives, of books, &c. purchased since the year 1817. The contingent expenses of the Patent Office, however, taking the average of 1814, and 1815, and 1816, may be estimated at $600 per annum.
I am, sir, with great respect,
Your obedient servant,
Joseph Nourse, Register
Hon. Silas Wood
STATEMENT of the annual Receipts and Expenditures of the Patent
Office, to 31st December, 1821
YEARS RECEIPTS EXPENDITURES
Salaries of Contingent
Superintendent, expenses
clerks, and
messengers
1793 660 * **
1794 570 * **
1795 600 * **
1796 1380 * **
1797 1470 * **
1798 870 * **
1799 1260 * **
1800 1230 * **
1801 1410 * **
1802 142 * **
1803 2910 1750 **
1804 2670 1400 **
1805 1710 1400 **
1806 2400 1400 **
1807 2850 1400 **
1808 4860 1550 **
1809 6690 1700 **
1810 6660 1759.14 **
1811 6810 2275 **
1812 6660 1550 **
1813 5880 2149.96 **
1814 6090 2150 403.01
1815 5850 2150 601.14
1816 5760 2150 778.09
1817 4680 2525
1818 4740 2838.88
1819 3060 2750
1820 3720 2750
1821 4770 2750
* It does not appear that any payments were made during these years.
** The vouchers for the Contingent Expenses were burnt by the British in 1814.
[The salaries have been included from the original manuscript copy in FDI microfilm reel 3. KWD]
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Register's Office
Jan. 29, 1823
JOSEPH NOURSE, Register
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