Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-02
MisfsIlaMk0as.
WOOD GAs.-CAUToN.


DE IL known that i, the subscriber OBJ
LID tanned letters patent in December, 1891, for
an apparatus for the destructive distiiiation OF
wood, and the making therelrom 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. D. Porter cannot be
used by him or any other person without intring-
ing my said patent. And, further, that what As
pateatsd by said Porter righlfully belongs to 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 adIudged 10 be
patentable TO the first inventor thereof and which
said w. ID. Porter has formally disclaimed, as APP
pears upon the public records Of said Office, OF
which an official copy is hereto annexed, and also
a copy Of his claims. n
In the National Intelige,icer Of the 25th instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the 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 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
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 "exclHsive right to making gas from wood.
The statement carries absurdity on its front, and
lis libel on the good sense of the Patent Office.
IL such a claim right had been granted, itwould
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal manuiactory
in the country. ft
The following copies Of correspondence and
extracts from the records of the Patent Office will
show the true state of the case; a.tt
( UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,
iY 5F 8F ~ AugWst %, 1854.
Srp Tn ranlv vr,Tr Letter of this date. skiing
if any patent has been granted 10 w. ID. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1851 or at any other time, or
TO any other person or persons, securing TO him
or them Ms eaelmsivs rightef making gas from
1coodn and whether any such claim was made by
w. D. Porter, under his application for patent,
which letters patent We're issued bearing the
above date you are informed that w. ID. Porter's
claims are believed 10 be c mined to his appara-
tus; and, further, this Office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the eaelu-
Sue right of making gas from vosd It would,
however, be unjustifable to expect me TO make
an extended investigation to answer your re-
quest. tns 80 z3
am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. Mason, commissioner of Patents.
w. p. MCDONALD, Esq,
Care of Prof. c. G. Page, Washington, d. G.
Tho United States Patent O6ice-To all persons to
Z qchoal these presents shall come, grating:
This is TO certify that the annexed is true copy
paper fled 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 on the 22d day Of August,
eighteen hundred and ffty-four.
In testimony whereof, T. Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents, have caused the seal
+, of the Patent Office 10 be hereunto affixed
II. 81 this 23th day of August, in the year Of our
Lord one. thousand eight hundred and fifty
four, and Of the independence ofthe United
States The Seventv- ninth q. MASON.
Copy of discLaisser of w d. Porter in his appliea.
fioR for 'an improved still for making tcoOd
gas,plfied ANgnst5, 1854. Letters patent issued
August %, 1854 "a as. ens
81 do not claim as my,invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz;
subjecing the products Of destructive distlation
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 Patem O6fce-- To all PERSONS to
SchoDs M1sepreSeSlts shall come greeting
This is 10 certify that the annexed is true copy
from the records Of this Office Of extract from
the specification Of w, ID. Porters patent, issued
on the twenty second 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 10 be hereunto
r. affixed this twentyfflh day OF August
L. e'I in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ffty-four and of the
Independence Of the United States the
seventy-ninth. ea O. MASON
Ea1raa from Specification Of W. ID. Porter on
1chicL letters patent scere issned August %, 1854
CIAIM.-What claim as my invention and dc
sire to secure by letters patent is
"The construction OF gas apparatus or still,
consisting OF a metallic or other cylinder b, the
cones E and ID, diaphram plate c, and exit pipe
F, substantially as described in the foregoing spe
ci6cation, 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. y s4,. 4 .e
VIM. p. MCCONNELL
BY his attorney CHAS. G.. PAGE.