patent-office

PATENT-OFFICE. An office bearing this name was established by law, and by 
the act Of congress of July 4, 1836, which repeals all acts theretofore 
passed in relation to patents, 4 Sharsw. cont. of Story's L. U. S. 2504, it 
is provided, Sec. 1. That there shall be established and attached to the 
department of state, an office to be denominated the patent office; the 
chief officer of which shall be called the commissioner of patents, to be 
appointed by the president, by and with the advice and consent of the 
senate, whose duty it shall be, under the direction of the secretary of 
state, to superintend, execute, and perform, all such acts and things 
touching and respecting the granting and issuing of patents for new and 
useful discoveries, inventions, and improvements, as are herein provided 
for, or shall hereafter be, by law, directed to be done and performed, and 
shall have the charge and custody of all the books, records, papers, models, 
machines, and all other things belonging to said office. And said 
commissioner, shall receive the same compensation as is allowed by law to 
the commissioner of the Indian department, and shall be entitled to send and 
receive letters and packages by mail, relating to the business of the 
office, free of postage. 
     2.-Sec. 2. That there shall be in said office, an inferior officer, 
to be appointed by the said principal officer, with the approval of the 
secretary of state, to receive an annual salary of seventeen hundred 
dollars, and to be called the chief clerk of the patent-office; who in all 
cases during the necessary absence of, the commissioner, or when the said 
'principal office shall become vacant, shall have the charge and custody of 
the seal, and of the records, books, papers, machines, models, and all other 
things belonging to the said office, and shall perform the duties of 
commissioner during such vacancy. And the, said commissioner may also, with 
like approval, Appoint an examining Clerk, at an annual salary of fifteen 
hundred dollars; two other clerks at twelve hundred dollars each, one of 
whom shall be a competent draughtsman; one other clerk at one thousand 
dollars; a machinist at twelve hundred and fifty dollars; and a messenger at 
seven hundred dollars. And said commissioner, clerks, and every other person 
appointed and employed in said office, shall be disqualified, and 
interdicted from acquiring or taking, except by inheritance, daring the, 
period for which they shall hold their appointments, respectively, any right 
or interest, directly or indirectly, in any patent for an invention or 
discovery which has been, or may hereafter be granted. 
     3.-Sec. 3. That the said principal officer, and every other person to 
be appointed in the said office, shall, before he enters upon the duties of 
his office or appointment, make oath or affirmation, truly and faithfully to 
execute the trust committed to him. And the said commissioner and the chief 
clerk shall also, before entering upon their duties, severally give bond 
with sureties to the treasurer of the United States, the former in the sum 
of ten thousand dollars, and the latter, in the sum of five thousand 
dollars, with condition to render a true and faithful account to him or his 
successor in office, quarterly of all moneys which shall be by them 
respectively received for duties on patents, and for copies of records, and 
drawings, and all other moneys received by virtue of said office. 
     4.-Sec. 4. That the said commissioner shall cause a seal to be made 
and provided for the said office, with such device as the president of the 
United States shall approve, and copies of any records, books, papers, or 
drawings, belonging to the said office, under the signature of the said 
commissioner, or when the office shall be vacant, under the signature of the 
chief clerk, with the said seal affixed, shall be competent evidence in all, 
cases in which the original records, books, papers, or drawing, could be 
evidence. And any person making application therefor, may have certified 
copies of the records, drawings, and other papers deposited in said office, 
on paying, for the written copies, the sum of ten cents for, every page of 
one hundred words; and for copies of drawing, the reasonable expense of 
making the same.