Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-20
MisffIlaMf0ms.
= WOOD GAs.-CAUTION.

DE 1t known that j, the subscriber OBJ
I'D tanned letters patent in December, 1851, for
an apparatus for the destructive dstillation OF
wood, and the making therefrom of tar or pitch at
pleasure, and gas and that in the judgment OF
competent persons the invention of an appar-
tus recently patented by w. d. Porter cannot be
used by him or any other person without infring-
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 Odice; 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 10 be
patentable TO the first inventor thereof and which
said w. d.. Porter has formally disclaimed, ap-
pears upon the public records of said Office, Of
which an official copyis hereto annexed, and also
copy Of his claims. aaa41 t.la
In the National intelgencsr Of the 25th instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the "exclusive right 10 making gas from
wood, z and threatens prosecution to all parties
infringing his patent. Il ask how this statement
eomports with the fart Of my patent Of December,
1851, and how far the threat can intimidate under
such circumstances? Mr.. Porer's claim is based
upon movable perforated diaphragm, and was
80 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 a
prior patent TO Robert FOULS, of Canada, for an
equivalent contrivance. This claim, as given be-
low, and in which the perforated diaphragm is the
saving clause is what Mr.. Porter calls securing
the Exclusive right TO making gas from wood"
The statement carries absurdly on its trout, and
is libel on the good sense of the Patent Ofce.
Ii such claim or right had been granted, 1t twou.d
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal mandatory
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
,jAugxa 25, 1854.
S,p IT, Late & Jo,a al;
g if any patent has been granted to w. d. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1854, or at any other time, or
to any other person or persons, securing 10 him
or them the erclasire 'ighfof making gas from
Eood,p 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. D. Porters
claims are believed 10 be mined TO his appara-
tus; and further, this Office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the eacin-
sire right of making gas from ~osd. II would,
however, be. u9Justifabe 10 expect me TO make
an extended investigation to answer your re-
quest. -
am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. Mason, Commissioners of Patents.
w. i. McCoNAELL, Esq,
Care of Prof. G. Page, Washington, ID. g.
TIE limited States Patent O6ce-Io ell PERSONS 10
sclom these presents shall como, greting.:
This is 10 certify thai 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 to the
said w, d. Porter the 22d day OF August,
eighteen hundred and fifty-four.
In testimony whereof, /. Charles Mason, Com
' missioner of Patents, have caused the seal
of the Patent Office 10 be hereunto affixed
H. s. this 25Ih day of August, in the year of our
sis Lord one thousand eight hundred and ffty-
four, and OF the independence OF the United
States the seventy y-nintb. {. Mason.
non for "ap improred stiH for making tcood
ga" fled Augwa S, 1854 Letters patent issued
Angnst22 1854.
'.I do not claim as my invention and discovery
The improvements in making gas from wood, viz
subiecting the products OF destructive distillaion
therefrom 10 a high degree Of heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification Of w. P. Mcconnell"
TIE Unasd States Patent Office To all persons 10
tciom these presents shall come greetDtg:
This is TO certify that the annexed is true copy
from the records ofthis Office Of an extract from
the specification Of w. ID. Porters patent, issued
on the twenty second day of August, eighteen
hundred and fily-iour
In testimony whereof, l, Charles Mason, Com
missioner OF Patents, have caused the
seal Of the Patent Office 10 be hereunto
;. affixed this twenty. fifth day OF August
y" u in the year OF our l.ord one thousand
eight hundred and fifty -four, and Of the
independence of the United States the
seveniyinnth G. MAsos.
Ezaraa from Specification Of ~ d. Porter on
schieh letters patent icere issued August 81, 1854.
Ci.AIM.--What claim as my invention and de.
sire 10 secure by letters patent is
The construction OF a gas apparatus or STILL
CO insisting OF metallic or other cylinder b, the
cones Z and ID, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
F, substantially as described in the foregoing spe.
cfcution, and shown in the accompanying draw
ings."
The truth ofthe above may be ascertaned from
The records Of the Patent oiee, TO which all have
access.
WIN. p. McCONNELLI
BY his attorney CHAS. G. PAGE