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PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
the patents; during which time they are liable to any enquiries that the ends of justice might require. If subsequent discovery affords grounds of suspicion that fraud was practised in obtaining them, that fraud becomes a legitimate subject for investigation; and if legally proven before the proper tribunal, will vitiate the title. And it follows as a matter of course that he who buys a certificate of this discription must share the fate of the original holder. The certificate not being negociable by statutory provisions, the transferree can acquire, by as- signment no right which the original claimant did not possess; nor claim any exemption from any scrutiny to which the certificate would have been subjected in the hands of the first holder. Should Congress agree with me in these views of a most embarassing- question, the next object of consideration will be to devise some means by which the frauds complained of may be effectually detected and defeated. This should be done in a manner which is likely to give to the holder of genuine certificates, the least interruption in the enjoy- ment of his rights. That they will, under the best system which may be contrived, be subjected to some inconvenience is, I apprehend almost unavoidable; but I sincerely hope that their reverence for right and deep repugnance to fraud, will reconcile them to any reasonable sacri- fice which may be regarded essential to the ends of justice. That Con- gress has the power to correct the evil, I do not entertain the shadow of a doubt; but the Executive feels great diffidence in recommending- any particular plan, by which it shall be done; inasmuch as he has every confidence in the ability of that body to devise one, which wiil be pru- dent and judicious and at the same time fully adequate to the exigency.-- The importance of establishing some mode by which the hopes of iniquitious gain may be disappointed, and the sanctuary of our tribunals protected against the pollution of perjured lips, is universally felt and acknowledged, and cannot be a matter of indifference to those who would preserve the morals of a people and the national character uncort- rupted and unsullied. That there have issued many thousand certifi- cates, in palpable violation of the law, and which were obtained by forgery or the subornation of perjury- and that the work is supposed: to be still going on, in som~ section of the country, to a most alarming extent, is a fact which I believe, stands uncontradicted and generally· conceded. For the Congress of a young Republic, proud of its chivalry, and courting the confidence of other nations, to do aught that might legalize these iniquities, or to refuse to adopt any measure to bring- them to light, would, I fear, have a tendency to strengthen those un- founded prejudices, already too inveterate, which many people abroad entertain against our national character. 'l'he Executive is conscious that in giving these opinions, he is run-- ning counter to a strong current of feeling in a portion o.f the com- munity. The subject is an exciting one, which cannot be handled without touching a nerve that vibrates through the whole body politic; it is therefore, to be expected that his views will be opposed with all the- energy of reason, and by what is stronger still, the passions and the interests of men. But however painful it may he to him, to differ with those in whom he has every confidence, or to be compel1ed from a sense of duty to adopt a course which cannot fail to awaken many unkind sentiments towards him, he still {eels that no considerations of a
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