Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-28
MisttIlaMf0ns.
WOOD GAs.-CAUTIoN.

WOOD GAS.-CAUTIONsnfI .Ess.i, =
DE II known that j, the subscriber OBJ
I'D tanned letters patent in December, 1851, for
an apparatus for the destructive dstillalion 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-
tns 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 IS
patented by said Porter rightfully belongs to me,
as expect 10 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 adjudged 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. lsN TaEAf
\ In the National Inteuigeneer of the 25th instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the "exclusve right to 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 iptlmidaie under
such circumstances? Mr.. Porter's 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 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 exclusive right to making gas from wood
The statement carries absurdiiy on its front, and
is libel on the good sense of the Patent Ofice
Ii such claim or right had been granted, it would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal mandatory
in the country.
The following copies of correspondence and
extracts from 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
" if any patent has been granted TO w. ID. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1851, or at any other time, or
to any other person or persons, securing to him
or them " tie ercltstts right of making gas from
rood" 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. d. Porters
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 erel1-
sue right Of making gas from scoed. Ii would,
however, be unjustifable TO expect me TO make
an extended investigation TO answer your re-
quest. a57-8.. ,.i,ere3
am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
c. MASON Commissioner of Patents.
w. p. McCoNAELI, Esq,
Care of Prof c. G. Page, Washington, D. G.
The United States Patent OGee-T0 all PERSONS to
1ohogl these presents shall come, gretiag:
This is 10 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.
ID. Porter for letters patent, in accordance with
which application letters patent were issued 10 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 he herennto affixed
II. 81 this 25th day Of August, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty
Aft he ind dan a,1ffh faI
States the seventy-nintb. G. Mason.
Copy Of disclaimer of w. d. Porter ia his applicG.
tion for an Improved still for making Icood
gas" "fLsd august 5, 1854. Letters patent issued
Anenst22, 1854.
81 do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
subjecting the products of destructive distlation
thereirom 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 PGtent O6foe--Ib all persons to
1chopp these presents shall come greeting:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is 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 ffty-four.
In testimony whereof, ], Charles Mason, Com
missioner OF Patents, have caused the
seal OF the Patent Office 10 be hereunto
:, : affixed this twenty.fflh day of August,
IL 81 in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and fifty -four, and Of the
independence OF the United States the
seventy-ninth. G. MASON
Ez1raet from Specification Of w. ID. Porter on
4chieh letters patent Dere issued Amgna ~, 1854.
CIAM.-What claim as my invention and de.
sire TO secure by letters patent is:
"The construction OF a gas apparatus or still,
consisting OF metallic other cylinder B, the
cones + and ID, diaphrsm plate G, and exit pipe
+, substantially as described in the foregoing spe.
cifcation, and shown in the accompanying draw
ings."
The truth ofthe above may be ascerained from
the records Of the Patent Office, TO which all have
access.
VIM. p. MCCONNELL,
Bv his attorney CHAS G. PAGE