Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 19.djvu/34

 signifying a desire of obtaining an exclusive property in the said improvement, and praying that a patent may be granted for that purpose:

"These are, therefore, to grant according to law to the said John M. Brooke, his heirs, administrators or assigns, for the term of fourteen years from the 29th day of July, 1862, the full and exclusive right and liberty of making, constructing, using, and vending to others to be used, the said improvement, a description whereof is given in the words of the said Brooke in the schedule hereunto annexed, and is made a part of these presents.

"In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made patent, and the seal of the Patent Office has been hereunto affixed. "Seal of the Patent Office, (Our First President.) "Confederate States of America. Given under my hand at the city of Richmond, this 29th day of July, in the year of Our Lord 1862.
 * "(Signed)

T. H. WATTS, " Attorney-General.


 * "Countersigned and sealed with the seal of the Patent Office.


 * "RUFUS H. RHODES,
 * "Commissioner of Patents."

Specifications annexed to Patent No. 100, granted to John M. Brooke, July 29, 1862:

"To all whom it may concern:

"Be it known that I, John M. Brooke, a lieutenant in the Navy of the Confederate States, have invented a new and improved form of vessel, to be iron-clad, and if desired (armed) with cannon; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the annexed drawings making a part of this specification in which Figure I is a deck plan; Figure II a sheer plan, and Figure III a body plan.

"The nature of my invention consists in so constructing the hull of the vessel that her bow and stern A and B, Figures I and II, shall each extend beyond the forward and after ends of the shield C which protects crew and guns, sufficiently to give the sharpness necessary to the attainment of high speed, and the buoyancy to support the weight of iron covering the shield and sides of the vessel