From the Richmond Dispatch, 6/7/1861, p. 3

The Patent Office. - This branch of our new Government is about going into operation, and, we are glad to observe, under the most favorable auspices. Commissioner Rhodes has arrived from Montgomery, opened his department at Goddin's building, and in every short time will be ready to proceed with business. It has been frequently said that little or no inventive talent exists in the South, and that we must depend upon the North for the various improvements which lessen labor and save time. That this is a false impression - false as the thousand and one slanders against the character of the Southern people which have been so persistently set forth by the Northern press - the yet untouched business of our Patent Office already affords ample proof. No less than one hundred and twenty applications for new patents, forty applications to revive old ones, forty caveats filed for future action, and numerous assignments for record await the action of the Commissioner. The income thus accruing to the Government is not less than five thousand dollars; and though war has been going on almost since the great political movement was initiated, instead of being repressed, the inventive talent of our people has been stimulated to an extraordinary degree. Events must continue to develop it, and whenever peace ensues, we shall be able to present to the world as fair a showing in the improvements of art as has been done by the mechanics of the North. Heretofore we have been dependent, because we could enjoy results without the trouble of producing them. But that time has now past. The emergency is bring out our resources, showing the stamina of the people, and teaching us that if we have a destiny to fill, we must be our own architects.

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