Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-19
Salisfellamf0as.
WOOD GAs.-CAUTION.
DE it known that ], the subscriber oh :

WOOD GAS.-CAUTION.
TIE 1t known that j, the subscriber OBJ
Z ID tanned letters patent in December, 1871, for
an apparatus for the destructive dlstillation 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, ID. Porter cannot be
used by him or any other person without infring-
ing my said patent. And, further, that what rs
yafeased by said Porter rightfully belongs 10 me,
as / expect TO prove ere long before the United
States Patent Office 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 adIudged 10 be
pateniabe TO the first inventor thereof, and which
said w. ID. Poster has formally dsclaimed as ap-
pears upon the public records OF said Office, OF
which an official copy is hereto annexed, and also
a copy of his claims.
In the National eAigcReer OF the 25th instant
Mr. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the "exclusive right TO making gas from
wood and threatens prosecution 10 all parties
infringing his patent. ask how this statement
comports with the fact ofmy patent OF December,
1851 and how far the threat can intimidatc under
such circumstances! Mr.. Poriers claim IS based
upon movable perforated diaphragm, aud was
80 understood by the Patent Office, as il appears
from the records OF the Patent Ollice that his
claim was at first refused as interfering with
prior patent TO Robert Fouls, OF Canada, for an
equivalent conlrivance. This claim, as given be.
low, and in which the perforated diaphragm Is the
saving clause, is what Mr.. Porter calls securing
the sexclusive right to making gas from wood"
The statement carries absurdity on IT'S front, aud
is libel on the good sense of the Patent Ofice
If such claim or right had been granted il would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal manufactory
in the country.
The following copies of correspondence and
extracts from the records OF the Patent Ofhce WIN
show the true State Of the case:
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,
August 25, 1854.
Sin. In reply 10 your letter OF this date, asking
" if any patent has been granted 10 w. ID. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1854, or at any other time, or
10 any other person or persons securing 10 nlm
or them "Me erclnsiUe right Of making gas from
4co6d, 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. Porters
claims are believed 10 be C mined 10 has appara-
tus; and, further, this Office is not aware that a
patent has been granted heretofore for the e1cLt-
sfpe rieM of making gas from rOsd IL would,
however, be uniustifable 10 expect me 10 make
an extended investigation 10 answer your re-
quest.
am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
e. Mason, Commissioner Of Patents
w. p. MCDONALD, Esq,
Care Of Prof. c. G. Page, Washington; d. C.
Tile U,aifed States Patent OGoe--T To all persons 10
achoal 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 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. ID. Porter on 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. ST. this 25th day Of August, in the year OF our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and fliy-
four, and ofthe independence ofthe United
States the seventy ty-nnib. Z. MASON
Copy of disclaimer of w. ID. Porter an has Gppiica.
lion for "dn imPrOred aH for making ireod
gas nfled august ), 1881. Letters patent issued
AHgRa2 %, 1854.
~ do not claim as my invention and discovery
the Improvements 10 making gas from wood, viz
subeeling the products of destructive distlllauon
iherefrom 10 a high degree OF heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification of w. p. Mcconnell"
The Unaed States Patent O6fce--76 all PERSONS TO
zckoRl these pr1nfs shall rome grading:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is a true copy
from the records ofthis Office Of an extract from
The specification of w. ID. Porier's patent, issued
on the twenty second day oil August eighteen
hundred and liIly-four.
In testimony whereof, |, Charles Mason, Com
missioner Of Patents. have caused the
seal OF the Patent Office 10 be hereunto
affixed this tweniy.ilh day OF August,
u : in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ffiy-four, and of the
Independence OF the United, States the
@ seventy-nnth G. MAsos.
Enraa fons Specification Of ". ID. Porter oM
1rhiok letters patenf tcere issued August %, 1851
CiMN.-What claim as my invention and de-
sire 10 secure by letters patent is:
The construction Of gas apparatus or still,
co insisting OF metallic or other cylinder Il, the
cones and ID, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
+, substantially as described in the foregoing spe
and shown in the accompanying draw
ings.'
The truth ofthe above may be ascertained from
he records Of the Patent Office, TO which all have
access. \
WM. r. MCCONNELL
BY his attorney CIIAS G. PAGE.