15 April 1790
Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826
Letter signed
Title: to Samuel Huntington
Jefferson, Secretary of State, transmits two copies (not included) of the first Patent Act of the United States to Huntington, Governor of Connecticut.
The U.S. Constitution empowered the Federal Government to issue patents by providing, in article 1, section 8, that Congress shall have the power "to promote the progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries."
The first act of Congress under that authority was passed April 10, 1790, giving complete power to grant patents to a…
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