Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-14
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WOOD GAS.-CAUTION.
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WOOD GAS.-CAUTION.
DE It known that i, the subscriber OBJ
Id tanned letters patent in December, 1851, for
an apparatus for The destructive distlllation OF
wood, and the making therefrom 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. ID. Porter cannot be
used by him or any other person without infrng-
ing my said patent. And, further, that what IS
patented by said Porter rghtfully belongs TO me,
as I expect to prove ere long before the United
States Patent Office; and, further, that the use oil
said Porters invention involves also process
which | am now claiming before the United States
Patent Office, and which has been adjudged TO be
patentable to the first inventor thereof and which
said w. D. Porter has formally dsclaimed, 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.
In the National hatelligencer Of the 25th instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the "excusive right 10 making gas from
wood" and threatens prosecution 10 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 circumstances? Mr.. Porters claim is based
upon movable perforated diaphragm, and was
so understood by the Patent Office, as it. appears
from the records of the Patent Office that his
claim was at first refused 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 Exclusive right to making gas from wood"
The statement carries absurdity on its 'front.' and
is libel on the good sense of the Patent Office.
IL such claim or right had been granted II would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal mandatory
in the country.
The following copies Of correspondence and
extractsfrom the records of the Patent Office will
show the true state Of the case:
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,
august 25, 1854
SIR. In reply to your letter Of this date asking
g 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 to him
or them "ne erclnsive right Of making gas from
acood,n 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. ID. Porter's
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 ezclit-
size right Of making gas from acosd. II would,
however be unjusti6able TO expect me TO make
an extended investigation 10 answer your re-
quest
] am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. MASON, Commissioner Of Patents
w. p. McCoNAELLr Esq,
Care of Prof C. G. Page, Washington, d. G.
The United States Patent O6fce-To all persons 10
achon these presents shall come, grating:
This is TO certify that the annexed is true copy
from the files of this Office Of an extract from a
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. ID. Porter on the 22d day of August,
eighteen hundred and ffty-four.
In testimony whereof, /. Charles Mason, Com
missioner Of Patents, have caused the seal
of the Patent Office 10 be hereunto affixed
4. \ a.. - -. IL. -
Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty
four, and Of the independence Of the United
States the seventy-nintb. G. Mason.
Copy of disclaimer of w d. Porter ia his applica.
ton for "an improved stiH for making tcood
gas nfled August S, 1854. Letters patent issued
Angna22, 1854.
g. do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz
subjectins the products OF destructive dstillation
therefrom 10 high degree Of heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification Of w. r. Mcconnell"
The United States Patent Ofce-- To all persons 10
tchoni hs~prescRts shall come creating:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is a true copy
from the records Of this Office of an extract from
the specification Of w. ID. Porter's patent, issued
on the twenty second day Of August, eighteen
hundred and fliy-four
In testimony whereof /, Charles Mason, Com
missioner Of Patents, have caused the
seal Of the Patent Office 10 be hereunto
r. affixed this twenty-6fth day OF August,
IL ''l in the year Of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ffty-four, and Of the
Independence OF the United States the
seventy-nnfh. G. Mason
Ez1raof from Specification of W. ID. Porter on
soAict isners pafenf icere Issued AugWa %, 1854.
CLAIMs-What claim as my invention and de-
sire 20 secure by letters patent is:
"The construction OF a gas apparatus or still,
consisting OF a metallic or other cylinder B, the
f. substantially described in the foregoing spe-
cifcation, and shown in the accompanying draw
ings"
The truth ofthe above may be sscertained from
the records Of the Patent Office, TO which all have
access.
sla WIN. p. MCCONNELL,
BY his attorney cHAS. G. PAGE.