Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-06
SnlisffIlaMt0ms
WOOD GAS.-CAUTION.
r It known that i, the subscriber OBJ

DE 1t known that ], the subscriber OBJ
Id tanned letters patent in December, 1881, for
an apparatus for the destructive distiilation 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 niring-
ing my said patent. And, further, that what IS
patented by said Porter rightiully belongs 10 me,
as / expect 10 prove ere long before the United
States Patent Oaice 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 adludged TO be
patentable TO the first inventor thereof and which
said w. ID. Porter has formally disclaimed os APP
pears upon the public records Of said Office, OF
which an official copy is hereto annexed, and also
copy of his claims.
In The National I,,teligencer of the 25lh instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the acxclusive right 10 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 intimdaie under
such circumstances2 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 fret refused as interfering with n
prior patent 10 Robert Foulis, OF Canada, for an
equivalent contrivapce. This claim, as given be-
low, and in which the perforated diaphragm is the
saving clause, is what Mr.. Porter calls securing
the s'exclusive right 10 making gas from wood." "
The statement carries absurdity on its front, and
is libel on the good sense OF the Patent Once.
Ii such claim or right had been granted, it would
forbid every coa-kn and charcoal mannfactory
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,
Angna 25, 1854.
SIR. In reply 10 your letter of this date, asking
81 any patent has been granted 10 w. ID. Porter
dated 22d August, 1854, or at any other time, or
to any other person or persons, securing to HIM
or them SHE errlnsive right Of making gas from
,coodn and whether any such claim was made by
W. ID. 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 C mined 10 his appara
tus and, further, this Office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the eTcln-
size right Of making gas from acosa. III would,
however be unjuslifable TO expect me 10 make
an extended investigation TO answer your re-
quest.
am. respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. Mason Commissioner Of Patents.
w. p. MCDONALD, Esq,
Care Of Prof. G. G. Page, Washington, u. u
The U,,itsa Stats Patent O5fee-To all persons 10
tchoDs these presents shall come, gretfng:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is a 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 TO the
said w, ID. Porter on the 22d day OF August,
eighteen hundred and ifty-four.
In testimony whereof, l. Charles Mason, Com
X NJ missioner OF Patents, have caused the seal
of the Patent Office 10 be hereunto affixed
H.. S this 25h day Of August, in the year OF our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and hfiy-
four, and Of the independence of the United
ts States the seveniy-nintb. q. Mason.
Copy of disclainsfr of W. ID. Porter in has appiea.
iion for IAN impyored stH for making scood
gas, qfied August 5, 1854. Liters paiem issued
August %, 1854.
81 do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
subiecting the products OF destructive distillauon
therefrom TO a high degree of heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes sci
forth in the specification of w. r. Mcdonnell
The United STATES Patent OGce-To all persons TO
,ctom these preSejlis shall ooms grazing:
This is 10 certify that the annexedis true copy
from the records OF this office OF an extract from
the specifcation OF w. ID. Porters patent, issued
on the twenty second day OF August, eighteen
hunjred and ffty-lour
In testimony whereof /, Charles Mason, Com
missioner OF Patents, have caused the
~ seal OF the Patent Office TO be hereunto
affixed this twenty 6fth day Of August,
IL 81 in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred aud 6hy.four, and OF the
Independence OF the United States the
seventy ninth &. Mason
E1araet from Specification Of ". ID. POyier o1
,chieh ktfers patent frere issued AHgna p, 1884.
CLMM-Whai ! claim as my invention and de-
sire 10 secure by letters patent is:
THE construction OF gas apparatus or still,
consisting OF metallic OF other cylinder B, the
cones and ID, disphram plate @, and exit pipe
F. substantially described in the foregoing spc-
cifcation, and shown in the accompanying draw
ipgs."
The truth OF the above may be ascertained from
the records OF the Patent Office, TO which oil have
access.
WIN. p. MCCONNELL.
BY his attorney CIIAS G. PAGE.