A larger version of this object is available to teachers and students for free. Others can subscribe for $25/year.
Larger images are also available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription or click here for more information.
- GLC#
- GLC02492
- Type
- Letters
- Date
- 11 August 1800
- Author/Creator
- Marshall, John, 1755-1835
- Title
- to Jonathan Dayton
- Place Written
- Washington, District of Columbia
- Pagination
- 1 p. : address : docket : free frank Height: 25.2 cm, Width: 20.9 cm
- Primary time period
- The New Nation, 1783-1815
- Sub-Era
- The Early Republic
Marshall, Secretary of State, responds to a previous letter from Senator Dayton regarding the patent for a tide-propelled mill machine, supposedly invented by a Mr. Brooklyn. States that Jacob Wagner, Chief Clerk of the State Department, found that a patent for part of such a machine was granted 18 March 1797 to Silas Betts of New York. Accompanied by a biographical clipping of John Marshall.
"I have received your letter of the 5th inst. & have directed Mr. Wagner to examine the patents which have issued from this office in order to decide whether any previous patent has been issued which may interfere with that to be applied for by Mr. Brooklyn. The explanation given by that gentleman being imperfect it is not easy to speak positively on this subject but Mr. Wagner thinks that a part of the principle of the wheel of a machine for mills to be propelled by the tide for which a patent issued to a Mr. Silas Betts of New York strongly resembles a part of the machine invented by Mr. Brooklyn."
Two black and white bust engravings of John Marshall included. + 1 engraving ; b&w ; 25.2 x 16 cm + 1 engraving ; b&w ; 25.3 x 17.3 cm.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
- Copyright Notice
- The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.