Washington sentinel., 1855-03-20
WOOD GAs.-CAUTION.

DE 1t known that i, the subscriber OBJ
I'D tanned letters patent in December, 1885, for
an apparatus for the destructive distillation 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. 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 Porters invention involves also process
which | am now claiming before the United States
Patent Office, and which has been Judged to be
patentable 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 an official copy is hereto annexed, and also
a copy of his claims.
In the National InteUigsncer of the 25th instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the ."exclusive right to making gas from
WOOD" and threatens prosecution TO 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 can intmidate under
such circumstances? Mr.. Porter's claim is based
upon movable perforated Diaphragm and was
so understood by the Patent Office, il appears
from the records Of the Patent Office that his
claim was al FIRST refused as interfering with
prior patent to Robert FOULS, of Canada for au
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 exclusive right TO making gas from wood"
The statement carries absurdity on its front, and
is libel on the good sense of The Patent Office
II 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 Of6ce viii
show the true state Of the case:
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIcE,
August 23, 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 al any other time, or
or them " the ercinsive right of making gas from
rood" 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. ID. Porters
claims are believed 10 be mined 10 his appara-
tus; and, further, this office is not aware tha,
patent has been granted heretofore for the eTefu.
sfue right Of making gas from toosd II would,
however, be unjusti6able 10 expect me 10 make
an extended investigation TO answer your
quest.
am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. MAsos, Commissioner of Patents,
w. p. MCDONALD, Esq,
Care Of Prof. G. G. Page, Washington, d. c..
The United States Patent O6oe-Te all persons 10
schons these presents shall come, grating:
This Is TO certify that the annexed is true copy
from the files Of this Office of extract from "A
w.
ID. Porter for letters patent, in accordance with
which application letters patent issued TO the
said W. ID. Porter 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 che Patent Office 10 be hereunto affixed
L. s. this 23th day Of August in the year OF our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and 6fiy-
four, and Of the independence of the United
States the seveniy-nintb. G. Mason.
Copy Of disclaimsr Of W. ID. Porter IN has applica.
ron for can improred still for making GOOD
gas, FLED August 5, 1854. Lefte,s patsnf issnrd
August %, 1854.
" i do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
subjecting the products of destructive distlation
thereirom TO q high degree Of heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification of w. p. Mcconnell"
The Unasd States Patent O6fee--To al persons TO
fchom thssep presents shall come gyeaing
This is TO certify that the annexed is n true copv
from the records Of this Office of an extract from
the specification of w. ID. Porters patent, issded
in the twenty second day Of August, eighteen
hundred and ffty-four
In testimony whereof T. Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents, have caused the
seal OF the Patent Office 10 be hereun,o
r, Il affixed this twenty.fhh day OF August,
= in the year Of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ifty- -four, and OF the
independence of the United States the
seventy-ninth. G. Mason.
Euyaa from Specification of w. ID. Ps,ter on
.chich letters patent cere issued Augns. %, 1884
CLAIM-What claim my invention and de-
sire TO secure by letters patent is:
The construction OF gas apparatus or still,
consisting of a metallic OF other cylinder b, tho
cones F and ID, diaphrsm plate G, and exit pipe
+, substantially as described in the foregoing spe-
cifcaiion, and shown in the accompanying draw
ings."
The truth ofthe above may be ascertained from
the records OF the Patent Office, to which all have
access,
WIN. r. MCCONNELL.
BY his attorney CHAS. G. PAGE
SDOOR's RAILROAD MAP or TINE
UNITED STATES.o-This celebrat
ted Map, recently eulogised by Lieutenant Msu,