Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-04-10
WOOD GAs.-CAUTIoN.

lie IL known that j, the subscriber OBJ
| Id tanned letters patent in December, 1851, for
an apparatus for the destructive distiation OF
wood, and the making therefrom of tar 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 caanot be
ing my said patent. And further, that what IS
patented by said Porter rightfnlly 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
patentabe 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 official copy is hereto annexed, and also
a copy Of his claims
In the National IltsHigeucer of the 25th Instant
Mr.. Portec announces that he has secured by
patent the exclusive right TO making gas from
wood" and threatens prosecution 10 all parties
infringing his patent. i ask how this statement
comports with the fact of my patent of December,
1851, and how far the threat intimidate under
such circumstances? Mr.. Por.ers claim is based
upon a 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 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 statement carries absurdity on its front, and
is libel on the good sense of the Patent Office
If such claim or right had been granted, itwould
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 IS, 1854.
SIR In reply 10 your letter of this date, asking
{
dated 22d August, 1854 or at any other time, or
TO any other person or persons, securing 10 him
or them "Meercinsipe right Of making gas from
aoood," 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. d. 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 ezciu
sue right Of making gas from aco0d IL would /
however, be unJusthable 10 expect me 10 make |
extended investigation 10 answer your re-
quest.
| am, respectfully, your obedieht servant,
c. MASON, Commissioner of Patents.
w. p. MCDONALD, Esq,
Care Of Prof c. G. Page, Washington, ID. c.
The United States Patent OGce-Io all persons TO
schona these presents shall come, gretins:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is true copy
from the files Of this Office of an extract from
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 fifty -four.
In testimony whereof, l. Charles Mason, Com |
missioner of Patents, have caused the seal |
of the Patent Office 10 ba hereunto affixed |
L. 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 seveniy-nintb. Q. Mason.
Copy of disclaimer of W. d. Porterfn his appiica. |
tiom for an Improved still for making rcood
gas, FLED august 5, 1854, Letters patent issued
Augna22 1854.
@ do not claim as my invention and discovery |
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz
subjectins the products of destructive distillaton
thererom 10 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 Patent Ofce-To all persons to
tchom hesepresents shall come greettng:
This is TO certify that the annexed is true copy
from the records of this Office of an extract from
the specification of w. d. Porter's patent issued
in the twenty second day of August, eighteen |
hundred and ffy-four.
In testimony whereof /, Charles Mason Com
missioner Of Patents, have caused the
seal OF the Patent Office to.be hereunto
r, affixed this twenty-ffh day OF August,
y D n the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and fffy-four, and OF the
independence of the United States the
seventy y-ninth. Q. MASON.
Eazraot from Specification Of W. ID. Porter on
-cllich letters patent issued august %, 1854.
CLAIM.-What1 / claim as my invention and de-
sire TO secure by letters patent is:
"The construction OF gas apparatus or still,
consisting OF a metallic or other cylinder b, the
cones Z and ID, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
r, substantially described in the foregoing spe-
cifcation, and shown in the accompanying draw
ings."
The truth fthe above may be ascertaned from
the records of the Patent Office, TO which all have
access.
WIN. p. MCCONNELL,
BY his attorney CHAS. 9. PAGE.