for twenty-eight years in the first instance, as with us, and if the proprietor be living at the end of that period, they are continued to him for the rest of his life. ding in England may

there.

Foreigners not resiobtain a copy right

No one can fail to perceive the vastly greater encouragement afforded to authors by vesting the power of granting copy rights in the general government. Their right to the profits of their works, instead of being limited to one state, is co-extensive with the government of the United States. What a wide field

is open before them! We perceive at every step, as we examine our constitution, and reflect upon its operation, the inestimable value of our union.

What is the exclusive right to their inventions granted to inventors termed? Ans. Patent right. What is the origin of the term patent? Ans. It is derived from the Latin word patentes, signifying open. Whence its present application? Ans. Exclusive rights used to be granted by litera patentes, open letters, or letters patent; hence exclusive rights are called patent rights. What are the principal provisions of the laws of congress on

the subject? Ans. The applicant for a patent must be a citizen of the United States, or at the time of his application, have resided in them for two years. The invention or discovery must relate to some new and useful art, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or to some new and useful improvement on the same. He must make oath that he believes himself the true inventor. The application must be attested and filed in the Secretary of State's office. It must be ac companied by a written description of the invention, with drawings, references, specimens, models, &c. as the case may require. The application is to be submitted to the Attorneygeneral of the United States. If he does not object, the Secretary of State makes out a patent, written on parchment, signed by the President, and sealed with the seal of the United States, granting the inventor or discoverer the exclusive right to his invention or discovery, for the period of fourteen years. In case any one violates his patent, he may sue him before the courts of the United States, and recover, if he can prove himself the original in-. ventor, three times the amount of the damage which he has sustained.

1

Remarks. The advantage of vesting the general government with authority to legislate on the subject of patents, is similar to that of vesting it with the authority to grant copy rights. In England, any foreigner, whether resident in England or not, may obtain a patent. It is not necessary that he be the original inventor; it is sufficient if he be the first to introduce the invention into the realm.

What are the high seas? Ans. As a general definition they are the main ocean, be ginning at low water mark. What have congress determined to be piracies and felonies committed on the high seas? Ans. Murder or robbery, running away with a vessel or merchandize to the value of fifty dollars, voluntarily yielding up any such vessel to pirates, and the attempt on the part of any seaman to hinder his commander from defending his ship or goods, the making of a revolt in the ship, or being engaged in the slave trade. What is the punishment for such crimes?

Death.

Ans.

Remark. There are some other offences not committed on the high seas, which congress have declared to be piracy, as for instance, the landing of any person belonging to any crew,

and committing robbery on shore. These cases, however, congress have declared to be piracy by virtue of their authority to define and punish offences against the law of nations.

What is meant by the law of nations? Ans. It is that system of rules by which nations are bound to regulate their intercourse with each other, founded on reason, usage, and agree

ment.

Remark. Since the power of regulating intercourse with foreign nations, and of maintaining a navy is vested exclusively in the government of the United States, it was absolutely necessary to vest in the same government the jurisdiction over offences committed on the high seas, or in violation of the law of nations.

What are letters of marque and reprisal? Ans. They are a written permission from government to individuals who have been injured by subjects of foreign powers, to take the bodies or goods of subjects of the same pow. ers until satisfaction shall be made.

Remark. The words marque and reprisal differ in their original signification; reprisal signifying a retaking, and marque, a passing of the frontiers, for the purpose of retaking. They are now, however, applied, without re

ference to their original meaning, to one gener. al thing. The reasons of giving to the gov ernment of the United States, the exclusive power to grant such letters, to declare war, make rules concerning captures, raise and support armies, provide and maintain a navy, make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces, are too plain to require any explanation.

What is the longest time for which congress can appropriate money for raising and support. ing armies? What is the object of this limit ation? Ans. A standing army under the control of any government, is liable to be used as an engine of tyranny. This limitation was made from a vigilant regard to our liberties. By means of it, the propriety of keeping up an army is brought into discussion every two years, and public attention to the subject excited.

For what purposes may congress provide for calling forth the militia?

Remark. Two main objects of the union being to ensure domestic tranquillity, and to provide for the common defence, it is manifestly proper that the means necessary for accomplishing these objects should be placed at the