Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-09-01
WOOD GAs.-CAUTION.

Il H. II known tnat i, the subscriber OBJ
I'D tanned letters patent in December, 1851, for
an apparatus for the destructive distillation 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 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 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 to the first Inyentor thereof, and which
said w. ID. Porter has formally dsclaimed, as ap-
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 Iitelligsncer of the 25h instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the "excnsive right to making gas from
wood,n and threatens prosecution to 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 intimidate under
such circumstances? Mr.. Porters 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 interfering with
prior patent TO Robert FOULS, of Canada, for an
equivalent contrvance. 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 absurdity on its front and
is libel on the good sense OF the Patent Othce
If 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 ease:
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,
august 25, 1854
SIR In reDly q yOur latter this date asking
g if any patent has been granted TO w. ID. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1854, or at any other time, or
10 any other person or persons, securing TO him
or them tho erciustue RI gilt Of making gas from
7coodn 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 to be mined TO his appara-
tus; and, further, this Office is not aware that a
patent has been granted heretofore for the erciu-
stue right of making gas fiom aoo0d. II would,
however, be unIustifabe TO expect me TO make
an extended investigation 10 answer your re-
quest.
am, respectfully, your obedent servant,
G. MASON, Commissioner OF Patents.
w. P. McCoNAELL, Esq,
Care Of Prof. c. G. Page, Washington, D. c.
The U,sitsd States Patent O6sce-To all persons 10
1cAoul these presents shall come, gret,ng
This is 10 certify that the annexed is a true copy
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 fifty-four.
In testimony whereof, l, Charles Mason, Com
missioner Of Patents, have caused the seal
of the Patent Office to he hereunto affixed
H. 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
S,a,a sh nafxy- ~ Mt
Copy of disclaimer Of W. ID. Porter IN has applica.
tion for "an improved aiH for making GOOD
gas" filed August 5, 1854. Letters patent ISSUED
Augnst22, 1854.
al do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
subjecting the products of destructive dstillaton
therefrom to a high degree of heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification Of w. P. Mcconnell"
The Unitsd States Patent OGce--1o all persons 10
tchonl these presents shall come creating:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is a true copy
from the records Of this Office of an extract from
the specification of w. ID. Porter's patent, issued
in 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 to be hereunto
affixed this twenty-ffth day OF August,
= q n the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and fifty -four, and OF the
independence of the United States the
seventy-ninth Z. MASON
Eaaraa from Specification Of w. ID. Porter on
soj.ich letters patent were issued august 22 1854.
CLAIm.-What claim as my invention and de-
sire TO secure by letters patent is
THE construction of gas apparatus or still,
co onsisting of a metallic other cylinder B, the
cones and ID, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
F, substantially described in the foregoing spe-
cifcaton and shown in the accompanying draw
ings."
The truth ofthe above may be ascertained from
the records Of the Patent Office, 10 which all have
access.
WIN. p. MCCONNELL,
BY his attorney CHAS @. PAGE