citizen. The Committee's report said: "We are fully persuaded that it is not only expedient, but in a high degree important to the United States to establish such international copyright laws as will protect the rights of American authors in foreign countries and give similar protection to foreign authors in this country. It would be an act of national honor and justice in which we should find that justice is the wisest policy for nations and brings the richest reward." The bill was, however, recommitted and never more heard of.
Clarendon treaty, 1870 In 1870, what has since been known as the Clarendon treaty was proposed to the American government by Lord Clarendon on behalf of the British government, through Sir Edward Thornton, then British Minister at Washington. This was modeled on the treaties existing between Great Britain and other European nations, and provided that an author of either country should have full protection in the other country to the extent of its domestic law, on the sole condition of registration and deposit in the other country within three months after first publication in the country in which the work first appeared, the convention to continue in force for five years, and thence from year to year, unless twelve months' notice of termination were given. This was later criticised in Harper & Brothers' letter of November 25, 1878, as a scheme "more in the interest of British publishers than either of British or American authors," on the ground that British publishers would secure American with British copyright, and give no opportunity to American houses to issue works of English authors.
Cox bill and and resolution, 1871 The next year the following resolution, offered by S. S. Cox, was passed by the House, December 18, 1871:
"Resolved, That the Committee on the Library be
