Marshall, John (1755-1835) to Jonathan Dayton
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02492 Author/Creator: Marshall, John (1755-1835) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: August 11, 1800 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket : free frank ; 25.2 x 20.9 cm. + 1 engraving ; b&w ; 25.2 x 16 cm + 1 engraving ; b&w ; 25.3 x 17.3 cm
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.
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