We are not surprised at this; for some 35 years ago we were personally acquainted with this "farmer of Virginia," and also with his mode of farming; and know that a machine of any kind to please him _must work_ and must also work "_well_." Richard Sampson was at that early day in this "age of progress," one of the best and most practical farmers in the "Old Dominion," and was not a man to be "caught napping," either at home or abroad. The record shows that "on March 29, 1848, the Board met agreeably to adjournment--Present, James Buchanan, Secretary of State, Edmund Burke, Commissioner of Patents, and R. H. Gillett, Solicitor of the Treasury--and having examined the evidence adduced in the case decide that said patent ought not to be extended." (Signed) "JAMES BUCHANAN, "Secretary of State. "EDMUND BURKE, "Commissioner of Patents. "R. H. GILLETT, "Solicitor of the Treasury." This evidence, taken in due form, and certified to by the magistrates in Augusta and Rockbridge Counties, Virginia, was _not_ ruled out as informal, as we have seen it stated: but it was certainly laid before the Board; and was doubtless satisfactory both as to priority of invention, and in connection with Dr. Page's report, conclusive, "that said patent ought not to be extended." We have also seen it stated that Hussey appeared before the Board of Extensions "to contest the extension of McCormick's patent." [Sidenote: Mr. Hussey Acted in Self Defense] We think injustice--and no doubt unintentionally--is here done to Hussey. Until the order of the Board was passed to afford him the opportunity to defend his rights, assailed without his knowledge, he was not aware of C. H. McCormick's application. As a matter of course he then attended, but stated in writing, and which is now on file, "I had no intention, neither had I any desire to place any obstacle in the way of the extension of C. H. McCormick's patent. But the course he has taken before your Board and before Congress has compelled me to act in self defense." [Sidenote: McCormick Assailed the Hussey Extension] Not so with C. H. McCormick; for when his claims were rejected by the Board of Extensions,--and most justly, as we think, in accordance with the evidence--_he petitioned Congress against Hussey's extension_: and to this most ungenerous, illiberal and unfair course, and of which Hussey was for years totally ignorant, C. H. McCormick may justly attribute this enquiry;--but for this, it had never been written. Our object is not to injure C. H. McCormick; but it is that justice may be done to another, whose interests and rights he was the first to assail.