Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-03
WisrAlanfGns.
WOOD GAs.-CAUTION.

4a WOOD GAs.--CAUTION.
DE 1t known that i, the subscriber OBJ
I'D tanned letters patent in December, 1851, for
an apparatus for the destructive distillation Of
wood, and the making therefrom of tar or pitch al
pleasure, and gas and that in the Judgment Of
competent persons the invention of an appar-
tus recently patented by W. ID. Porter cannot be
used by him or any other person without inffing-
ing my said patent. And, further, that what fs
patented by said Porter rightfully belongs 70 me
as ! expect to prove ere long before the United
States Patent Office; and, further, that the use OF
said Porters invention involves also process
which am now claiming before the United States
Patent Office, and which has been adJudged TO be
said w. ID. Porter has formally disclaimed, as an
pears upon the public records Of said Office, of
which an Official copy is hereto annexed, and also
a copy Of his claims
In the National Iatslligsncer OF the 25th instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the 'sexclusive right TO making gas from
wood, = and threatens prosecution 10 all parties
infringing his patent. / ask how this statement
comports with the fact of my patent of December,
1851, and how far the threat can ntimidate under
such circumstances? Mr. Porter's claim is based
upon movable perforated diaphragm, and was
so understood by the Patent Office, as il appears
from the records of the Patent Office that his
claim was at first refused as interfering with q
prior patent to Robert Fouls, of Canada, for an
equivalent contrivance. This claim, as given be-
w,
saving clause, is what MIR Porter calls securing
the Exclusive right to making gas from wood.p
The statement carries absurdty on lis front, and
is libel on the good sense of the Patent Ofice.
If such claim or right had been granted, il would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal mandatory
in the country.
The following copies of correspondence and
extracts from the records of the Patent Office viii
show the true state of the case:
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,
= August 25, 1854.
SIR In reply to your letter of this date, asking
g if any patent has been granted TO w. ID. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1854, or at any other time, or
to any other person or persons, securing 10 him
or them the ezclusive right Of making gas from
acood" and whether any such claim was made by
w. ID. Porter, under his application for patent,
which letters patent were issued oearng the
above date, you are informed that w. ID. Porters
claims are believed to be c mined 10 his appara-
tus; and further, this Office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the erclt-
sire right of making gas from nosd II would,
however be unjustifable TO expect me TO make
an extended investigation TO answer your re-
quest # i c
! am, respectfully, your obedient SERVANT
= G. Mason, Commissioner of Patents.
W.P. McCoNAELIs Esq, u
Care of Prof. c. G. Page, Washington, D. G
Tie United States Patent Ofee-Io all persons 10
qoho1s these presents shall come, greting:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is true copy
from the files of this Office of an extract from
paper filed in the matter of the application OF w.
ID. Porter for letters patent, in accordance. with
which application letters patent were issued 10 the
said w. ID. Porter on the 22d day Of August,
eighteen hundred and fftysfour, q aaf3n
In testimony whereof, l. Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents, have caused the seal
OF the Patent Ohce 10 be hereunto affixed
H. s. this 25th day Of August, In the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty
four, and ofthe independence OF the United
States the seventy-nintb. G. Mason.
Copy Of disclaieer Of w D. Porter IA has appliea.
tioR jbr san ig'prope9 sal for making spOod
gas fied August 5, 1854 Letfers patent issued
ARgnst %. 1854.
aI DO not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
subjeciing the products of destructive distillsuon
therefrom TO a high degree of heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes sci
forth in the specification Of W. p. Mcconnell"
The United States Patent OGee-To al persons 10
aohoaa thesspreseats shall oO1s greeting
This is 10 certify that the annexed is true copy
from the records Of this Office OF an extract from
the specification Of W. ID. Porer's patent issued
on the twenty second day Of August, eighteen
hundred and ffly-lour.
In testimony whereof /, Charles Mason, Com
missioner OF Patents, have caused the
R '4 seal OF the Patent Office 10 be hereunto
affixed this tweniy-ffth day Of August,
lir 81 in the year Of onr Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ffy-iour, and Of the
independence Of the United States the
seventy ninth. C. MASON
Enraet 6om Specification Of ". ID. Porter on
achich bffsrs paisnf acre issKed ANgKsf p, 1854
CIAIM.--What claim as my invention and de.
sire 10 secure by letters patent is:
"The construction OF gas apparatus or still,
OF metallic OF other cylinder b, the
cones L and ID, daphram plate G, and exit pipe
F. substantially as described in the foregoing spe-
and shown in the accompanying draw
ings." t.'i
The truth ofthe above may be ascertalned from |
the records Of the Patent 0fce, 20 which all have
access. % lLaI Ea
E. n. ta. WIN. P.i MCCONNELL
BY his attorney CHAS @. PAGE.