ained certified copies of all from the Patent office.

Dr. N. M. Hitt testified to a reaping machine being made by C. H.
McCormick in 1831--it had a straight sickle blade.

William S. McCormick and Leander J. McCormick, brothers of C. H.
McCormick, also testified to the making of a machine in 1831.

Mary McCormick, mother of C. H. McCormick, agreed in general with the
testimony of her sons,--did not doubt but it was correct, "it appears
familiar to me," but testified to nothing in particular.

[Sidenote: Testimony]

John Steele, Jr., was tavernkeeper at "Steele's Tavern," testified as to
the year being 1831 or 1832. In his amended testimony, admitted that C.
H. McCormick wrote the paper describing the machine for him to testify
to; recollects little else about the machine than the straight sickle
edge.

Eliza H. Steele refused to testify without first seeing a certificate
previously signed by her; admitted that C. H. McCormick wrote it for her
to sign; her testimony as to the year depended on the building of a
certain house, on which the workmen put 1831.

John McCown--was a blacksmith--testified that _he_ made the "straight
sickle blade," and that it was "a long, straight sickle" blade.

This was most singular testimony to found a claim of priority of
invention on, and by which to invalidate another man's patent. There was
discrepancy in the evidence as to the year of the invention; also whether
the machine was intended for one or two horses; how the "fingers" were
arranged, and whether of _wood_ or _iron_, _above_ or _below_, the
"straight sickle blade." Two of the brothers--one at least who helped to
make, if not also to invent this machine--testified that the plan or
arrangement of the machine here sworn to, was changed in 1840, 1841,
1842, or 1843, they did not know which; from 9 to 12 years afterwards!

John McCown swears positively that he helped to build the machine, so far
at least as to forge "a long, straight sickle;" but neither he, or a
single one of the seven sworn witnesses, "_ladies_ and _gentlemen_,"
testify that the machine ever worked a single hour, or cut as much grain
of any kind as would make a single sheaf![1]

[1] The reading of this testimony strongly reminds us of an
anecdote related at the hustings in Virginia by that talented but
eccentric character, John Randolph, of Roanoake, in a political
canvass with an opponent, who promised what he would do for his