From James Madison to Jacob Crowninshield, 20 November 1807

Sir.	Dept. of State, November 20th. ’07.

I have duly received your letter on the subject of Mr. O. Evan’s application for a patent. As the application is founded on a decision of the Circuit Court at Philadelphia, against the validity of a former patent for the same invention, a compliance with it would admit the invali[dity] of all the patents issued in the same form since the commencement of the government. Such a principle I did not think myself justified in introducing on that authority alone. I am &c.

James Madison.

DNA: RG 59—DL—Domestic Letters.

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