Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-19
9lisffHxntSus.


DE tt known that i, the euDsCrlDer OD-
Id tained letters patent in December, 1851, for
an apparatus for the destructive distiIlaiion 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 Wip. Porter cannot be
used BY him Or any other person without inlring-
patented by said Porter rightfully belongs 10 me,
as expect 10 prove ere long before the United
States Patent Office and, further, that the use of
said Porter's inventions involves also q process
which am now claiming before the United States
Patent Office, and which has been adJudged 10 be
palentable 10 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
q copy Of his claims. sTasin 3,s2s e-. ii1sg oi
\ In the National Iltsuigenesr Of the 25th instant
Mr. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the z exclusive right to making gas from
wood" 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 intmdate under
such circumstances? Mr.. Porer'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 a
prior patent to Robert Fouls, Of Canada, for an
low, and in which the perforated diaphragm is the
saving clause 10 what Mr.. Porter. calls securing
the "exclusive 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, " would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal manufactory
in the country ~ g37lA ieag s1
The following copies of correspondence and
extracts from the records of the Patent Office will
show the true state of the case; i'12 ~ iifsa
h UmrED STATES Patent oyFIc5, 4,
srR. In reply to yotk1etter 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 MIN
or them g kse1eIssiVc right Of making gas5ro
seood, 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 c mined TO his appara-
tus; and, further, this office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the erclu-
however, be unjustifable to expect me to make
an extended investigation 10 answer your re-
quest. tt "a ..at,sy.s ..,,.+aii.s ysii \ ~
am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. Mason, Commissioner Of Patents.
Care Of Prof.. G. G. 6. Page, Washington, D. 9,
The United Sfates Patsns Odiee--To all persons to
sckops these presents shall come, grating:
This is to certify that the annexed Is atrue copy
from the files of this office Of an extract from.
paper filed in the matter of the application of w
b. Porter for letters patent, in accordance with
which application letters patent werei issued 10 the
said w. d. Porter on the 22d day of August,
eighteen hundred and ffyiour.
In testimony whereof, /, Charles Mason, Com.
missioner Of Patents, have caused the seal
of the Patent Office TO be hereunto affixed
IL. 81 this 25th day OF August in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and ffty-
/ four, and the independence Of the United
States the seventy-nintb. G. Mason.
Copy of disclaimer ef W. ID. Porter ia his applica.
ron for san improped still for making tcood
gas fled Aags4st s, 1884 Lstters patent issssd
August %, 1854. .s4,'
81 do not claim my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
subjecting the products Of destructive dstllation
therefrom TO 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 OHee-T5 all persons to
s. tvhonr these pr0ents shall coms greeting ,; ii
This is 10 certify that the annexed is true copy
from the records ofthis Office OF an extract from
the specification Of w. d. Porters patent, issued
on the twenty second day of August, eighteen
In testimony whereof, /, Charles Mason, Com.
missioner of Patents, have caused the
seal Of the Patent Office to be hereunto
affixed this twenty-ffth day OF August,
IL - in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and fffy-four, and of the
Independence Of the United States the
seventy ninth. erq bai1O. MASON.
Erzraot from Specification Of w. ID. Porter on
tchich letters pafsat issued August % 1854.
CrAM.-What claim as my invention and de.
sire to secure by letters patent In ea J4 tQni
"The construction of gas apparatus or still,
| consisting OF metallic or other cylinder b, the
cones E and d diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
F. substantially described in the foregoing spe-
ci6cation, and shown in the accompanying draw
/ ings." ~ N
| The truth ofthc absvemay be asoertained from
the records Of the Patent Oice TO which all have
| access.
| a ls3ieFsb bsi WIN. p. MCCONNELL =
/ , BY his attorney CHAS, @. PAGE.