Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-21

WOOD CAs,-CAUTION.

DE 1t known that i, the subscriber OBJ
LID tanned letters patent in December, 1901, Tor
apparatus for the destructive dlstlaton OF
wood, and The making thereirom OF tar or pitch at
pleasure, and gas and that in the Judgment OF
competent persons the invention oil an appar-
tus recently patented by w. d. Porter cannot be
used by him or any other person without intrng.
ing my said patent. And, further that what rs
patented by said Porter righlfuly belongs TO me,
| expect 10 prove ere long before the United
States Patent Office; and further, that the use oil
said Porers invention involves also process
which am now claiming before the United States
Patent Office, and which has been adjudged 10 be
patentabe 10 the first inventor thereof. and which
said w. ID. Porter has formally disclamed. 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 Nalionn hteuigencer Of the 25th instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the Exclusive right 10 making gas from
woodn and threatens prosecution to all parties
infringing his patent ask how tins statement
comports with the fact Of my patent OF December,
1851, and how far the threat can intimidate under
such circumstances? Mr.. Porers claim is based
upon movable perforated diaphragm and was
80 under sto ID by.the Patent Office, il appears
from the records of the Patent Office that his
claim Was at first refused rs interfering with
prior patent TO Robert FOULS, of Canada, for an
equivalent conlrivance, This claim, as given be-
saving clause is what Mr. Porter calls securing
the "exclnsive right 10 making gas from wood"
The statement carries absurdity on It's 'front.' and
is libel on the good sense OF the Patent dice.
II such claim or right had been granted II won'd
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal manuiactory
in the country.
The following copies OF correspondence and
extracts from the records fthe Patent Ohiee will
show the true state OF the case:
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,
AugRa -, 1854.
SIR. In reply TO 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
TO any other person persons, securing 10 him
or them Mf elritsire right Of making gas from
Nood" and whether any such claim was made by
w. ID. Porter, under his application for patent,
which letters patent We're ISSUED bearing Inc
above date, you are informed that W. u. Porters
claims are believed 10 be mined 10 his appara-
tus; and further, this office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the e'cin-
nce right Of making gas from nO0d II would,
however he unjuslitiable 10 expect me 10 make
an extended investigation 10 answer your re-
quest.
am respectfuy your obedient servant,
C.. Mason, Commissioner OF Patents.
w. p. McCoNAELI- Esq,
Care of Prof c. G. Page, Washington, ID. c,
TIE Unitsd States Paic,u OEce-Io all persons 10
rcLDm thess presents shall come, grating:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is a true 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 WD. Porter on the 22d day of August,
eighteen hundred and fiiy-four.
In TESTIMONY whereof, /. Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents, have caused the seal
OF The Patent Office TO be hereunto affixed
H. S this 2Jtb day of August, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and ffiy-
four, and of the independence of the United
States the seventy-ninib. Z. MASON
Com N dtseLuia,fy of w d. Porter ia his aJyicd.
fioN lfor "an improtrd aW for making rood
gGs,Hfled August 5, 1854. Letiers patent issRed
AHgsa22, 1854.
~ do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
subjectng the products of destructive distillatlon
therefrSm TO a high degree OF heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth il the specification Of w. p Mcconnell"
The U1iLed States Patent ORce-To al JersoMS TO
t,tOm heepyesemts snail coma grating;
This is TO certify that the annexed is a true copy
from the records of this Office Of an extract from
the specification Of w. ID. Porers patent, issued
on tie twenty second day of August, eighteen
hundred and iiiy-four.
In Testimony whereof |, Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents. have caused the
seal Of the Patent Office TO be hereunto
:. affixed this tweniy.fith day OF August,
IL : in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ffy-four, and of the
independence. Of the United States the
seveity-ninth. e. Mason
Ezarad from Specification ef W. ID. Porter on
tcLieh ktters ydisnt treye iSsRed ARgna %, 1854.
CIAiM-What | claim my invention and de-
sire 10 secure by letters patent is
The construction OF a gas apparatus or still,
consisting Di metallic or other cylinder B, the
cones aDl ID, diaphram plate c, and exit pipe
r. substantially as described in the foregoing spe-
ci6ca,ion, aid shown in the accompanying draw
ings."
The irull ofthe above may be ascertained from
the records Of the Patent Office, TO which all have
access.
WIN. r. MCCONNELL
by his attorney CIiAS. G. PAGE.
CCoTTs WEEKLY PAPER.--The pub