[engraved address;]
24, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane. W.C.
20 Decr 1858.
W. H. F. Talbot Esq
Dear Sir
I have considered the Specification of your Patent of 1858 – and also of Newton’s Patent of 1858 and I am of opinion that the working of the process described in this latter Specification would be an infringement of your Patent. The only difficulty in the case is that the title of your Patent being for “improvements in the art of engraving” it may be urged that no engraving is produced by Newtons process, but I think this I consider no answer – No person has a right to use a portion of your combined process which was new at the date of your Patent even though he should not follow the process sufficiently far to obtain an engraved surface which was the object for which your process was designed –
I regret that this answer to your letter has been delayed so long, the cause of which is my having been away from business on acct of ill health –
I am Yrs truly
William Carpmael
[envelope:]
W. H. F. Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham