1849 the secretary of state had the care of issuing copyrights. It
was then assigned to the department of the interior, newly created. In
1870 it was transferred to the librarian of congress.

HOW TO OBTAIN A PATENT.

1. The person desiring a patent must declare upon oath that he believes
himself to be the inventor or discoverer of the art, machine, or
improvement for which he solicits the patent.

2. He must also give in writing a definite and minute description of it,
accompanied by drawings to illustrate. If necessary, he must make and
deliver to the commissioner of patents a model of his invention.

To be patentable, the invention must be new, unused and unknown before,
and useful.

The invention is carefully examined by the appropriate expert at the
patent office, and if found to be deserving a patent is issued, signed by
the secretary of the interior, countersigned by the commissioner of
patents, and sealed with his seal. This gives the patentee the sole right
of manufacture and sale and use for seventeen years. The right to make,
sell, or use the invention may be sold by the patentee. He may assign the
patent entire, an interest in it, or the exclusive right for a certain
specified district.

HOW AN ALIEN BECOMES A CITIZEN.

1. Declaration of Intention.--An alien, who has come to the United States
after reaching the age of eighteen, may appear before any court of record
in the United States having common law jurisdiction, or the clerk thereof,
and declare upon oath that it is _bona fide_ his intention to become a
citizen of the United States, and to renounce forever "all allegiance to
any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty whatever," and
particularly by name the potentate or sovereignty whereof such alien may
at any time have been a citizen or subject. This declaration is recorded,
and a certified copy of it is furnished by the clerk of the court to the
person so declaring his intention. He is then said to have his "first
papers." See page 290. 2. The Final Step.--After two years from the time
of declaring his intention, provided that he has resided in the United
States continuously for five years, and also at least one year within the
state or territory wherein the court is held, he may appear in open court
and there upon oath renounce all allegiance, as declared in his statement
of intention, and swear to support the constitution of the United States.
If he has borne any hereditary titl