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The State of the CASE concerning the Patent of making Salt Water Fresh, as it stands between Mr. Walcot of the one part, and the Lord Falkland, William Bridgman Esq Mr. Fitz-Gerald, and several others on the other part.
KIng Charles the Second, about sixteen years since, Grant∣ed to the said Mr. Walcot, a Patent for making Salt Water Fresh, with a particular Clause, That he should put the same in Execution within seven years, or some less time, or his Patent should be void; and with this farther Condition, That if at any time hereafter it should appear to be inconvenient or prejudicial to His Majesty's Subjects, and made so to appear to six of the Privy Councel, it should for that reason be void, and his Patent soon after to be Cancelled; His Majesty soon after this Grant, was invited by Mr. Walcot, to see the Opera∣tion of his Engine and Invention, which was of too great Di∣mension, and so extreamly hot, and for other Causes then ap∣pearing, it was not found Practicable at Sea, and about six years after the said Grant to Mr. Walcot, Mr. Fitz-Gerald, upon the Encouragement of the late Mr. Boyl, made a Discovery of a new, easie and practicable way of making Salt Water Fresh and Wholsome at Sea and Land, having obtained great Cre∣dit among Sea men, Physicians and others; the King Granted a Patent to Mr. Fitz-Gerald and others; to oppose which, Mr. Walcot entered a Caveat, and after full hearing by the Coun∣cil, learned on both sides, the Patent of Walcot was laid aside, and a Patent granted to Us the said Patentees, which hath been since put in practice both by Sea and Land, to the satisfaction of all Persons who have not been influenced by their particu∣lar Interests.
There being a Bill brought in by the said Mr. Walcot, to destroy the Right of our Patent, in which there are about five years unexpired.
It is therefore Humbly Prayed the said Bill may not pass, to the prejudice of the said Letters Patents of Mr. Fitz-Gerald and his Partners, the said Mr. Walcot having consented to an Agreement under them, as will be ready to be produced.
If Mr. Walcot can obtain an Act of Parliament in prejudice of this Patent, which seems unreasonable, it is hoped it will be with a saving to Mr. Fitz-Gerald's Patent, that of Mr. Walcot's being expired as to time, and vacated by his own Consent, as will appear on the Hearing.