Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-06
WOOD CAs.-CATTroN.

ID Il t known that 1, the subscriber OH
Id tanned letters patent in December, 1851 for
an apparatus for the destructive distillation OF
wood and the making therefrom Of tar or pitch ai
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 is
patented by said Porter rightfully belongs to 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 adjudged TO be
patentable 10 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
In the National Intelligencer OF the 25th instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the 'sexclusive right 10 making gas from
wood" and threatens prosecution to all parties
infringing his patent. ask how this statement
comports with the fact ofmy patent of December,
1851, and how far the threat can intmdate 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 nj first refused interfering with a
prior patent TO Rober, FOULS, of Canada, for an
equivalent conrivance. THIS claim, given be-
low, aud in which the perforated diaphragm is the
the exclusive right 10 making gas from wood"
The statement carries absurdity its 'front.' and
Is libel on the good sense OF the Patent Office
If such claim or right had been granted il 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:
UNirEs STATES PATENT OFFICE,
august 25, 1854
SIR. In reply TO your letter OF this date, asking
if any patent has been granted 10 w ID. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1881, or al any other time or
to any other person or persons, securing TO him
or them tie epci0siUe right Of making gas from
qoood,n and whether any such claim 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 believed TO be mined TO his appara-
tus; and, further, this Office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore tor the ezcfu-
stvc rigM Of making gas from icosd. II would,
however, be unjustifable to expect 10 make
extended investigation 10 answer your re-
quest
lam, respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. MASON, Commissioner of Patents
w. p. McCoNAELLsEsq,
Care of Prof G. G. Page, Washington, ID. G.
The Uniaed States Patent OGce-To all persons 10
whoas these presents shall come, gretiRg:
This is To certify that the annexed is true copy
from the files of this Office of an extract from a
paper fled 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 the 22d day of August,
eighteen hundred and fhy-four.
In testimony whereof, l. Charles Mason, Com
missioner Of Patents, have caused the seal
OF the Patent Office 10 be hereunto affixed
IL. s. this 25th day of August, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty
four, and of the independence OF The United
States the seventy-nlnth Z. MASON. .
Copy Of disclaimer Of w. d. Porter IN his applica.
tton for an improved still for making tcood
gas,n filed August s, 1854. Letters patent Issued
August %, 1854.
. do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, VIZ:
subjecting the products of destructive distauon
theretrom 10 high degree of heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth In the specification of w. P. Mcconnell
Tie Urirsd States Patent OoEcs-Io all persons 10
piom ttesepyeSeRts shall come creating:
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. Poner's patent, issued
in the twenty second day Of August, eighteen
hundred and thy-four.
In testimony whereof, /, Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents, have caused the
seal Of the Patent Office TO be hereunto
affixed this twenty fifth day OF August,
the year OF our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ffty-four and oi the
independence OF the United States the
scventy-ninth. G.. MASON.
Eaaraot from Specification Of W. ID. Porter on
tctich ltters patent ,oere issued August %, 1854
CLAIM.--What claim as my invention and de-
sire TO secure by letters patent is
The construction OF a gas apparatus or still,
consisting of a metallic or other cylinder B, the
cones and d, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
F, substantially as described in the foregoing spe-
ci6caiion, and shown in the accompanying draw
nRs."
The truth ofthe above may be'ascertained from
the records OF the Patent Office, TO which all have
access
WIN. p. MCCONNELL
BY his attorney CHAS. @. PAGE.