1st Session. No. 201. IN SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES. SEPTEMBER 17, 1850. Mr. WHITCOMB made the following REPORT: [To accompany bill S. No. 350.] The Committee on Patents, to whom were referred the memorial and papers of Thomas J. Godman, asking an extension of a patent granted him for an "apparatus for scalding hogs by steam" on the 13th day of February, 1835, to run fourteen years from the date thereof, have had the subject under consideration, and report: That, after a full examination of all the facts, it appears that the patentee has expended in perfecting and bringing into use said invention the sum of $1,106; that, notwithstanding the proof is clear that he has used ordinary exertions to sell and dispose of the right to use said invention, he has not as yet received from the sale of the same but $352 25; that within the last few years the merits of this invention have become more apparent, and its general utility admitted, promising to yield something like a recompense for the inventor's labor and skill, if the extension asked for be granted. The said Godman, before the expiration of his said patent, filed his application before the Commissioner of Patents, as the law directs, and claimed an extension for seven years. It appears that the Commissioner refused the prayer of the petitioner, but his reasons for this decision are not given; and your committee believe, after a full examination of the case, that no good and sufficient reason can be given. It is the policy of this government, and the part of wisdom, to pursue in all such cases that course which gives a reward to all who by their genius contribute to the aggregate knowledge and wealth of the country. The invention of Mr. Godman comes under this head; it is a great auxiliary in the branch of business with which it connects itself; and your committee, deeming it just, right, and proper that a further opportunity be given him to profit by his invention, accordingly report a bill for his relief. 1st Session. No. 202. IN SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES. SEPTEMBER 18, 1850. Mr. Rusk made the following REPORT: The Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, to whom was referred a resolution of the Senate, adopted on the 27th day of May lust, in the following words, viz: "Resolved, That the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads inquire and report to the Senate the facts in relation to the respective contracts for building mail steam-ships, and for the transportation of the United States mails between New York and Liverpool, between New York, Havana, and New Orleans, and Havana and Chagres, and between Panama and San Francisco and some point in Oregon; whether said ships have been completed in the manner and at the times stipulated in the contracts, respectively, and, if not, what reasons are assigned therefor; whether such delay, if any, has been detrimental, under all the circumstances, to the interests of the government and the requirements of the service; whether any of said ships have been increased in their tonnage, dimensions, and machinery, and, consequently, in their value and effectiveness for naval and mail purposes, and the probable cost of those required by the terms of the contracts, and those actually constructed; whether the mail service is now performed by said lines, respectively, according to their contracts, and what compensation has been paid therefor; and whether any further provisions of law be necessary to secure the more effectual performance of said service, and the other objects contemplated by said contracts,"-have given to the same their most careful consideration, and respectfully report: In the discharge of the duty assigned them, your committee have thought it best to state, as plainly and concisely as possible, what has taken place between the government and the contractors for the lines mentioned in the resolution, respectively, and therefore propose to dispose of each in the order named in the resolution. With a view to the proper investigation of the subject, your committee, through their chairman, addressed notes to the Postmaster General, the Secretary of the Navy, and each of the contractors, requesting them to furnish, for the information of the committee, copies of all documents connected with the transactions in question, and such other information as might be deemed necessary to answer the inquiries devolved upon them by the Senate; and, in answer thereto, received reports, accompanied by the copies of documents here unto annexed. The following report of Commodore Perry and Commander Cunning ham, to whom an order had been addressed by the Secretary of the Navy, covering the resolution of the Senate, bearing date the 27th of May last. furnishes perhaps the most accurate information that can be obtained with regard to the extent to which the contractors for the several lines of steamships have complied with their respective engagements: NEW YORK, June 12, 1850. SIR: In obedience to the order of the Navy Department of the 5th instant, covering a resolution of the United States Senate, bearing date the 27th May ultimo, we have the honor to submit the following report: In view of a better explanation of the subjects on which we are called upon to report, we have arranged the inquiries of the Senate under for several heads, and have replied to them consecutively, and with reference to each respective contract. First. Resolved, That the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads inquire and report to the Senate the facts in relation to the respective contracts for building mail steam-ships, and for the trans portation of the United States mail between New York and Liverpo between New York, Havana, and New Orleans, and Havana a Chagres, and between Panama and San Francisco and some point Oregon; whether such ships have been completed in the manner and the times stipulated in the contracts, respectively, and, if not, wh reasons are assigned therefor." With respect to the contract for transporting the United States between New York and Liverpool, entered into by E. K. Collins a associates, and dated the 6th of March, 1846, the contractors stipula to build five steamships-four to be ready in 18 months from date contract, and the fifth to be completed as early as practicable. By subsequent law of Congress, the time for the completion of E. K. Collis contract was extended to the 1st of June, 1850. Of the vessels above referred to, four have been launched-the " lantic," of 2,845 tons; the "Pacific," of 2,707 tons; the "Arctic," 2,856 tons; and the "Baltic," of 2,723 tons, registered measureme The fifth has not yet been commenced. The "Atlantic" was inspecte. on the 5th of April, and the "Pacific" on the 13th of May last, and they & now employed under the contract in the transportation of the mails. T "Arctic" and "Baltic" will, it is expected, be ready for inspection August next. The ships of Collins's contract are required to be of not less than 20 tons burden, with engines of not less than 1,000 horse-power. In nage, it will be seen that they considerably exceed the prescribed lim and the effective or working power of their engines is not less than 1,50 horses; though, according to the old rule of Watt & Bolton for est mating the power of steam-engines, their nominal power is a little sh of 1,000 horses. In manner and materials of construction of these vessels, the terms the contract have been complied with, excepting that, instead of engi of direct action, those with side levers have been substituted. (See s companying paper, marked A.) The contract of Albert G. Sloo, dated April 20, 1847, was for the ca struction of five steam ships-four to be of not less than 1,500 tons burde with engines of not less than 1,000 horse-power, and one of not less than : 600 tons burden, with engines in proportion: two of the vessels to be | ready on or before the 1st day of October, 1848, and two on the 1st day of October, 1849-no time being mentioned for the completion of the fifth. A subsequent modification of the contract authorizes an increase in the dimensions of the four larger vessels. With respect to this contract, which has been assigned to George Law and associates, the "Falcon," of 1,000 tons, has been purchased by the - contractors, and temporarily employed, by consent of the department, (so far as the undersigned are informed,) in the transportation of the mails, since December, 1848. The "Ohio," of 2,432 tons, and the "Georgia," of 2,727 tons, have been constructed and sent to sea, though but one of them has been recog nised as coming within the stipulations of the contract. The "Ohio," not being coppered, has not been received; therefore, of the original ships contemplated to be constructed conformably with the terms of the contract with A. G. Sloo, but one (the "Georgia") has been received, which vessel was inspected on the 24th of January last. As to the manner of constructing the "Georgia," (the only one received, and, consequently, the only one of which a description can be given consistently with the inquiry,) it may be said that, in the construction of the hull of this and the other larger vessels of Sloo's contract, it was stipulated that she and they were to be equal in manner of build and description of materials to the build and materials of the late United States steamer "Missouri;" but, as has been heretofore represented to the Navy Department, (see accompanying paper, marked B,) this was impracticable; and the "Georgia" may be considered to be a substantial-built vessel of mixed unseasoned timber, (all the ships of the several contracts have been constructed of mixed unseasoned timber,) similar, but in no wise superior, to the materials used in the construction of the best merchant ships in the city of New York. In dimensions, the "Georgia" is far beyond the dimensions originally stipulated for; but it will be recollected that the contractor reserved the right to add thirty feet to the length, and five to the breadth, should he deem it advisable to do so. Her engines, instead of being made of direct action, as provided for in the contract, are constructed with side levers; their nominal power is short of 1,000 horses, according to the rule of Watt & Bolton, but they can be easily and safely worked at 1,400 or 1,500 horses. These engines and boilers, though differing from those of the "Missouri," (see paper B,) are good; and, in point of speed and excellent sea qualities, the "Georgia" is represented to be, by her commander, Lieutenant D. D. Porter, United States navy, a very superior vessel. The delay in the completion of the vessels that have actually been commenced under the contract with E. K. Collins and associates and A. G. Sloo may be chiefly ascribed to the overpress of work at the steam engine manufactories in the city of New York-the demand for steam machinery having been greatly increased by circumstances growing out of the accession of territory to the United States; and probably the manufacturers, unaccustomed to the construction of engines of such magnitude-some of them almost unprecedented as marine engines (in extent of power) in any part of the world-may have miscalculated the time that would, be |