SPEECHES AND PAPERS ON THE ABOLITION OF PATENTS.
The following petition, which Mr. Macfie had the honour to present, contains the motion which gave occasion for the speeches that form the principal part of this compilation:—
To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled.
The Petition of the Newcastle and Gateshead Chamber of Commerce
Humbly sheweth,—
That your petitioners have had many opportunities of becoming acquainted with the working of the laws under which Patent-rights are granted to inventors in the United Kingdom.
That your petitioners are informed that notice has been given in your honourable House of a motion in the following words:—
“That in the opinion of this House the time has arrived when the interests of trade and commerce, and the progress of the arts and sciences in this country, would be promoted by the abolition of Patents for inventions.”
That your petitioners, believing the proposed total abolition of Patent-Laws will be of great benefit to the country, are most desirous that the above-named resolution should be adopted by your honourable House.
Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray that the said motion may pass your honourable House.
And your petitioners will ever pray, &c.