Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-26
MisffIlamkGms.
WOOD CAs.-CAUTTON.

WOOD GAS.-CAUTION.
DE It known that i, the subscriber OBJ
ID tanned letters patent in December, 1881, 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 iniring-
ing my said patent. And, further, that what IS
patented by said Porter rightfully belongs 10 me,
as expect to prove ere long before the United
States Patent Office and, further that the use OF
said Porter's invention involves also process
which am now claiming before the United States
Patent Office, and which has been adjudged to be
patentable TO the first inventor thereof, and which
said w. d. Porter has formally disclaimed, as ap
pears upon the public records of said Office, OF
which an official copy is hereto annexed, and also
a copy Of his claims.
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the Exclusive right to making gas from
woodn and threatens prosecution to 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 intimidate under
such circumstances? Mr.. Porters claim is based
upon movable perforated diaphragm, and was
so understood by the Patent Office, as it appears
from the records of the Patent Office that his
claim was at first refused interfering with a
prior patent to Robert Fouls, of Canada, for an
equivalent contrivance. This claim, given be-
low, and in which the perforated diaphragm is the
saving clause, is what Mr.. Porter calls securing
the "excusive right TO making gas from wood"
The statement carries absurdity on its 'front.' and
is a libel on the good sense of the Patent Office.
If such claim or right had been granted il would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal manufactory
in the country.
The following copies of correspondence and
extracts from the records of the Patent Office will
show the true state of the case
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,
August 2S, 1854.
SIR In reply to your letter of this date, asking
"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 TO HIM
or them "he exclusive right Of making gas from
,oood,n and whether any such claim was made by
w. d. Porter, under his application for patent,
which letters patent were issued bearing the
above date, you are informed that w. ID. Porter's
claims are believed TO be Mined TO his appara-
tus; and further this Office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the ezclu-
sipe right of making gas from aooed. II would,
however be unjustifable 10 expect me TO make
an extended investigation TO answer your re-
quest.
am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. MASON, Commissioners of Patents.
w. P. McCoNAELI, Esq,
Care of Prof. c. G. Page, Washington, D. c.
The United States Patent OGce-70 all persons TO
vhonp these presents shall come, greting:
Ia
from the files Of this Office of an extract from
paper filed in the matter of the application of w.
d. 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 ffty-four.
In testimony whereof, l. Charles Mason, Com
missioner Of Patents, have caused the seal
of the Patent Office TO be hereunto affixed
H. 81 this 25th day Of August in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty
1~E. l. ~f ek.I sa.l
States the seventy-nintb. G. Mason.
Copy Of diseainaer of w ID. Porter IN has applicd'
ton for "an Improved still for making rood
gas FLED August 5, 1854. Letters patent issued
AHgHst2 1854.
al do not claim as nv invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
subeciing the products Of destructive dstillation
thereirom TO a high degree of heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification of w. p Mcconnell"
The United States Patent OGce--To all persons TO
1ohona these presents shall eopls greeting:
This is to certify that the annexed is true copy
from the records OF this Office Of an extract from
the specification of w. d. Porter's patent, issued
on the twenty second day OF August, eighteen
hundred and fifly-four.
In testimony whereof, /, Charles Mason, Com
missioner Of Patents, have caused the
seal Of the Patent Office TO be hereunto
,, affixed this twenty-fith day OF August,
IL 81 in the year Of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ffy-four, and Of The
independence Of the United States the
seventy-sinth. Q. Mason,
E<1rda from Specification Of ". ID. Porter
sohict letters patent Icere issued August %, 1854
CLirx-Whai | claim as my invention and de.
sire TO secure by letters patent is:
THE construction of a gas apparatus or still,
consisting OF a metallic or other cylinder b, the
cones and d, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
F. substantially as described in the foregoing spe
cincation, and shown in the accompanying draw
ings."
The truth ofthe above may be ascertained from
the records Of the Patent Office, TO which all have
access.
WIN. p. MCCONNELL.
Rv his attorney CHAS. @. PAGE.