# Primary Sources on Copyright - Record Viewer
Letter from Noah Webster to James Madison, Hartford, Connecticut (1784)

Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, The James Madison Papers, 1723-1836: Noah Webster to James Madison, July 5, 1784, with Enclosure Advertising Stith's History of Virginia (1784) Series 1, Reel 2.

Citation:
Letter from Noah Webster to James Madison, Hartford, Connecticut (1784), Primary Sources on Copyright (1450-1900), eds L. Bently & M. Kretschmer, www.copyrighthistory.org

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Chapter 1 Page 1

Wanted            Smith's History of Virginia
& some works containing the Charters,
Constitutions, ancient Laws of the
State - Also any Pamphlets or papers
that throw light upon the Settlement
& progress of the State to the Revolution.
If any Gentleman in that State will,
in the course of the present year, collect
bookes & authentic papers upon this sub-
ject & inform the Subscriber where they be
obtained, shall be liberally & gratefully
rewarded by one who wishes to improve
such a collection for public purposes.

                                    Noah Webster

PS. A Letter conveyed under cover to the
Postmaster of N[ew] York addressed to me, will
be immediately communicated.

                              N Webster.

Chapter 1 Page 2


Noah Webster



Chapter 1 Page 3

      Sir


                              From the small acquaintance
I had with you at Philadelphia & the recommendation
of Mr Jefferson, I take the liberty to address you
on the subject of Literary property & securing
to authors the copyright of their productions in
the State of Virginia. The Grammatical Institute
of the English Language is so much approved
in the Northern States, that I wish to secure to
myself the copyright in all. General
Laws for this purpose are passed in New England,
in New Jersey - & I believe also in New York and
Pennsylvania. In One of these States, the period
mentioned is twenty years - in another, twenty one
& in Connecticut, the right is secured to the
author & for the term of fourteen years &
if the author should live beyond the first
term, then the right returns to him & his heirs
for another term of fourteen years, & all
give the inhabitants of other States, the benefit
of the laws, as soon as the State where the author
is an inhabitant shall have passed a similar law.
      It is my requests, Sir, that you would move
for a law of this kind in your next Sessions of
Assembly; & if the Legislature shall not think
proper to pass a general Law; be pleased to
present a petition in my name for a [particular] law
securing to me & my heirs & assigns the exclusive
right of publishing & vending the above men-
tioned works in the State of Virginia for the term
of twenty years - or for such other term as the
Legislature shall think proper.      I shall endeavour
to publish the Works in Virginia as soon as

Chapter 1 Page 4

circumstances will permit; I therefore beg
your assistance in this matter & shall take
the earliest opportunity to make a suit-
able acknowledgment for the favour.

            I am, Sir, with the highest respect
                        Your most obedient
                                    most humble Servant.



                                                Noah Webster Jr.

Hartford 5th July 1784



James Madison Esq

Chapter 1 Page 5

Top:

To the care of [McMaury?] Fredericksburg
Day 7.9
[2/6?]
James Maddison Esq
Orange County
Virginia

Left side:

Webster Noah
July 5. 1784
Noah Webster

Bottom:

Taken out of the post office & forwarded by his [???]
[J. Maury?]



Transcription by: Megan Wren

    

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