Mr. Phelps to Mr. Blaine.

No. 435.]

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt yesterday of your instruction, No. 405, of the 18th instant. In it, at the instance of Messrs. Howson & Howson, of New York City, you call attention to the fact that the German Imperial Gazette has not yet published the required notice that the United States have granted reciprocal rights to German inventors, and direct me to ascertain what should be done under these circumstances for the protection of American inventors in this country.

On inquiry made to-day at the imperial department of the interior, I learned that that department was waiting for something yet to be done in connection with the negotiations now going on in Washington affecting patents; that that department expected to soon hear that this was done; and that when it was done the notice would be promptly published here in the Official Gazette.

As these negotiations are pending at Washington I did not feel at liberty to press for more specific information on a point which must be within the knowledge of the State Department.

I have, etc.,

Wm. Walter Phelps.