Senate Chamber, February 17, 1868.

MY DEAR SIR,—Pardon my delay. There are two ways of dealing with the question of International Copyright,—one by the treaty power, and the other by reciprocal legislation.

I have always thought that the former was the easier, but at the present moment the House of Representatives is not disposed to concede much to the treaty power.

Mr. Everett, while Secretary of State, negotiated a treaty on this subject with Great Britain, which was submitted to the Senate, reported by the Committee on Foreign Relations, considered in the Senate, and finally left on the table, without any definitive vote.

I shall send you a copy of this treaty, which, I believe, has never seen the light.

I have always been in favor of an International Copyright, as justice to authors and a new stage in the unity of nations. Perhaps the condition of public affairs at this time, the preoccupation of the public mind, the imminence of the Presidential election, and also the alienation from England, may present temporary obstacles. But I am sanguine that at last the victory will be won. If authors should have a copyright anywhere, they should have it everywhere within the limits of civilization.

Accept my best wishes, and believe me, dear Sir,

Faithfully yours,

Charles Sumner.

James Parton, Esq., Secretary of the Committee.