LS signed “M. Van Buren,” one page, 11.25 x 6.5, January 1, 1830. Letter written as Secretary of State to the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States stating that he is transmitting the names of people who have received patents within the last year. In full: “In pursuance of the resolution of the House of Representatives of the United States, dated the 13th of January, 1812, I have the honour to transmit a list of the names of persons who have invented any new or useful art or machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any improvement thereon, & to whom patents have been issued to for the same from this office, from the 1st day of January 1829, to the 1st day of January 1830, with the dates & general objects of such patents; and also the residence of the Patenters, as far as they could be ascertained.” In very good, clean condition, with old repairs on reverse to partial separations along intersecting folds, horizontal fold running along the top of Van Buren’s signature, and some scattered light creasing and wrinkling.
Under legislation passed in 1790, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Attorney General were each given the authority to grant patent letters, subject to the approval of the president. Each patent needed to be recorded in the Secretary of State’s office, with that office subsequently required to present a list to the opening session of Congress. Here, Van Buren fulfills that duty as a cabinet member. Among the patents that would have been identified by Van Buren was the first American patent for a typewriter—an invention destined to simplify “official” duties such as this. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
