Publicly, Griswold supported the establishment of international copyright, but he often duplicated entire works during his time as an editor, particularly with "The Brother Jonathan." A contemporary editor said of him: "He takes advantage of a state of things which he declares to be 'immoral, unjust and wicked,' and even while haranguing the loudest, is purloining the fastest." Even so, he was chosen to represent the publishing industry before Congress in the spring of 1844 to discuss the need for copyright law.