Brief description: Letter and envelope from Charles Dickens to Henry Clay, 12 March 1842
Label: This letter concerns a petition that Dickens wants Henry Clay (1777-1852 who was Senator from Kentucky and the strongest advocate of international copyright in Congress), to present to the Senate relating to his proposed international copyright bill. 'Saunders … prepared the accompanying petitions [not included]', Dickens forwards them to Clay, asking that he 'present one to the Senate, and entrust the other to some member of congress for Presentation in the House of Representatives…'

Clay presented the petition Charles Dickens refers to on 30 March (see Pilgrim Letters, Vol. III, p.135, editor's note 5). It was then referred to the Committee on the Judiciary for a report. The Committee were opposed to an international copyright bill. ‘No report was submitted, and this was apparently the last mention of the petition in the Senate.' Dickens continued to battle with international copyright laws.
Collection: Archives & Manuscripts
Object number: A872
Object type: letter
envelope
Production person: Dickens, Charles
Production date: 12 March 1842
Inscription content: Washington
Twelfth March 1842

My Dear Sir
A gentleman in New York named Saunders, who, I believe, prepared the accompanying petitions, begged me to forward them to you, and to ask you to present one to the Senate, and entrust the other to some member of congress for Presentation in the House of Representatives.
When I had the pleasure of speaking with you yesterday, I quite forgot to mention this matter. I need scarcely say that I have a strong interest in the progress of these Petitions, and that I think the Petitioners have done but tardy justice to themselves, in signing them.
I am Dear Sir
With cordial regard
Faithfully yours
CHARLES DICKENS
Credit line: Purchased with support from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Friends of the National Libraries and the Dickens Fellowship.
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Letter and envelope from Charles Dickens to Henry Clay, 12 March 1842