Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-05
MisteIlaMt0ms
MOOD GAs.-CAUTTON.


DE 1t known that 1, the subscriber OBJ
ED tanned letters patent in December, 1881, Tor
an apparatus for the destructive distiaton OF
wood, and the making iherelrom oftar or pitch nj
pleasure, and gas; and that in the Judgment OF
competent persons the inveniion 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 rghifully belongs 10 me-
as Ioexpect 70 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 adjudged TO be
patentabie to the first inventor thereof and which
said w. ID. Porter has formally disclaimed, as ap-
pears upon the public records OF said Office. OF
which an official copy is hereto annexed, and also
copy of his claims Gl tNGl sass
In the National Intezigeaeer Of the 25th instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the aexclusive 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 intimidate under
such circumstances2 Mr.. Porter's claim is based
upon movable perforated diaphragm, and WAS
so understood by the Patent Office, as ii appears
from the records of the Patent Office that his
claim was ut 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
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 Ofce.
II such claim or right had been granted, il would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal mandatory
in the country. 1ss . 81 sass sa3@oa4 Il iinillss I
4 The following copies of correspondence and
extracts from the records Of the Patent Office will
show the true state of the caset sEs araa
4 f3R's UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,
sf ssgrsl Aag1ta 25, 1854.
r..
!" 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 srcfnsipe right Of making gas from
ecood,p 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 10 his appara-
.tus; and, further, this Office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the ezctu-
sivf yight of niahing gqs JS0m acOsa L would,
an extended investigation TO answer your re-
quest.
~ Il am, respectfully. your obedient servant,
4 G. Mason, Commissioned Of Patents
Care Misr.t of Prof & &. Page, Washington D. 6.
The Unitsd States Patent Obfce-T To on persons to
! 70 phom these presents shall come, graing;
This is 10 certify that the annexed is airue copy
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 to The
said w. ID. Porter on the 22d day OF August,
eighteen hundred and ffty-tour. -.
In testimony whereof, j. Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents, have caused the seal
OF the Patent Office 10 be hereunto affixed
IL, S. this 25th day Of August In the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and fiffy-
four, and ofthe independence Of the United
States the seyeniy-nintb. c. Mason.
Copy Of disclaiaier Of " d. Porter il his appliea.
tion for g an improped sill for making rood
August %, 1884.
" do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
subjeciing the products OF destructive distiIIa,ion
theretrom TO high degree Of heat, substantially
as has been described and for ibe purposes sci
forth in the specification Of w. T. Mcconnell"
The Uaiea states Patsnt oGee- To all persons 10
lctom these presents shall come greeting \: ..l.I
This is 10 certify thar the annexed is true copy
from the records ofihIs Office Of an extract from
the specification Of w. d. Porter's patent, issued
on the twenty second day Of August, eighteen
hundred and fifty-four 5.fs s...'l. \, \. l.s
In testimony whereof I, Charles Mason, Com
missioner Of Patents, have caused the
seal OF the Patent Office TO be hereunto
4, n affixed this twenty-fith day OF August,
u - in the year Of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and fffy-fonr, and Of the
Independence of the United States the
seventy ninth. c, MASON.
EaarGei from Specification Of w d. Porter on
soiieh letters pafenf sosrs issued august %, 1854
- CLAIM w hat claim as nay invention and de-
sire 10 secure by letters patent is;
:" The construcuon of q gas apparatus or still,
consisting OF a metallic or other cylinder b, the
cones Is aud ID, diaphram, plate G., and exit pipe
F, substantially described in the foregoing spe.
ci6ca,on, and shown in the, accompanying draw
ingsp nu sdNg4 ia nssfl sBiil sqII 4nla
The truth ofthe above may be ascertained from
the records of the Patent Office, 10 which NIL have
access. 40 IQallafri ldTr4aaH
s,ar ~ rsq wM. Ps MCCONNELL.
isst5 hr1 =, BY his attorney CHAS. @. PAGE.