In reply to the objection raised by the office that "bromide was used in 1840," I have to say that I was fully aware of the employment of bromide in various ways for photographic purposes, and that I have also, in common with photographers, known the extreme difficulty of using bromide, and that notwithstanding the sensitiveness imparted by bromide to other compounds, it has been almost universally discarded by practical photographers. The discovery of collodion as a vehicle for sensitive materials is of recent date, and there seems to have been a backwardness on the part of photographers to attempt bromide bases with collodion, and so far, whatever trials have been made subsequent to my discovery, it is evident that they have been attended with the results of "misty pictures." To whatever my success may be due, I maintain that I have been the first to use a bromide base with collodion--and with that only do I claim it--and the results in my pictures show with what success. Respectfully, James A. Cutting, By Att'y, Chas. G. Page. Hon. Chas. Mason, Commissioner of Patents. * * * * * United States Patent Office, June 21, 1854. Sir: Your specification of an improvement in composition for producing photographic pictures is herewith returned for a slight amendment, which is, to omit the reference to specimens which do not accompany the patent, and to correct an error in the oath as noted on the margin. Yours, &c., C. Mason, Commissioner. James A. Cutting, 142 Hanover st.; Boston, Mass. * * * * * United States Patent Office, June 22, 1854. Sir: By reading a paper by Mr. W. Crookes in the "Journal of the Photographic Society, London," No. 7, p. 86, "on the employment of bromine in collodion," it is believed you will be satisfied that the date there given on which he used bromized collodion is prior to your claim to having used it; he refers to p. 72, No, 6, published in June, 1853, for experiments made with bromized collodion, which paper is dated June 2d, 1853. Mr. Isaac Rehn, of Philadelphia, has testified to having seen you make use of a bromide base, viz., bromide of potassium and collodion, about the 1st of July, 1853, or about one month after the date of Mr. Crookes' paper in England. The specification is accordingly returned, that you may cancel the fourth claim, and amend the papers to suit. Yours, &c., C. Mason, Commissioner. Mr. J. A. Cutting, (care of C. G. Page), Washington, D. C. * * * * * PATENT FOR THE USE OF CAMPHOR IN COMBINATION WITH IODIZED COLLODION. The schedule referred to in the Letters Patent, and making part of the same.