Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-13
a1isfsllaaf0ns.
WOOD GAs.-CAUTION.
it known that 4. the subscri

TIE it known that L, the subscriber OBJ
I'D tanned letters patent in December, 1881, for
an apparatus for the destructive djstillation 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. 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 rightfully belongs 70 me,
as | expect TO prove ere long before the United
States Patent Office and, further, that the use Of
said Porier's 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. 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
a copyyof his claims. it7 ,ssl ttte -,f.ii3 n =
In the National Iptelligenesr 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 of my patent of December,
1851, and how far the threat can intimdate under
such circumstances? Mr.. Porter's claim is based
upon movable perforated diaphragm, and was
so understood by the Patent Office, as il appears
from the records of the Patent Office that his
claim was al 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 "excusiye right TO making gas from wood"
The statement carries absurdity on its front, and
is a libel on the good sense of the Patent Office.
If such claim or right had been granted II would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal mandatory
in the country. GI Il ir ,j5t sge sfs
The following copies of correspondence and
extracts from the records of the Patent Office will
show the true state of the case:
q UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,
Ha a august 25 1854.
-r-... .I. lo.. IL,
elf any patent has been granted TO w. ID. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1854, or al any other time, or
to any other person or persons, securing TO him
or them " "Msercinsivs right Of making gas from
scood,n 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 10 be Q Mined TO his appara-
tus; and, further, this Office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the erclu-
sive right of making gas from scosd II would,
however, be unjnstifable TO expect me TO make
an extended investigation TO answer your re-
quest. eU1
lam, respectfully, your obedient servant,
c. Mason, Commissioner of Patents.
w. p. McCoNAELI, Esq,
Care Of Prof G. G. Page, Washington, ID. G.
The United States Patent OGce--To all persons TO
1chons these presents shall come, grating:
This is TO certify that the annexed is atrue copy
from the files of this Office Of 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 fifty-our.
In testimony whereof, Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents, have caused the seal
of the Patent Office TO be hereunto affixed
H. 81 this 25th day Of August, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and ffy
four, and of the independence of the United
States the seventy ninth. c. MASON
Copy of disclaimer of ". d. Porter in his aypiica.
fion for "an Improved sfiH for making tcood
gas" fled august 5, 1854. Letters patent issued
AAgua22, 1854.
al do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz
subectins the products Of destructive distillaton
TO high degree of heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes sci
forth in the specification of w. p. Mcconnell"
The United States Parent Ofee-75 all persons to
1chom thssepresents shall come greeting:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is a true copv
the specification of w. ID. Porter's patent, issued
on the twenty second day of August, eighteen
hundred and ifty-four.
In testimony whereof, I, Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents, have caused the
seal OF the Patent Office 10 be hereunto
r.. affixed this twenty6fh day OF August
IL 81 in the year of'our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ffty-four, and OF the
Independence OF the United States the
seventy ninth. G. Mason.
Ea4raet from Specification of W. d. Porter on
scioh letters pafenf srere issEed August % 1854.
CLAM.-What claim as my invention and de.
sire TO secure by letters patent is:
=" The construction Of gas apparatus or stiIl
consisting OF metallic or other cylinder B, the
cones and D, diaPhram plate g, and exit pipe
F. substantially as described in the foregoing spe-
ciication and shown in the accompanying draw
ings." ~
The truth ofthe abeve may be ascertaned from
the records Of the Patent Office to which all have
access.
WIN. p. MCCONNELL,
BY his attorney CHAS. G. PAGE.
cycorr,. wEEuKIY pApKp.-To, ,nn-