Washington sentinel., 1855-03-13
WOOD GAs.-CAUTION.

DE 1t known that /, the subscriber OBJ.
I'D tanned letters patent in December, 1851, for
apparatus for the destructive distiation OF
wood, and the making therefrom of tar or pitch NJ
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 10 me,
expect to prove ere long before the United
States Patent Office; and, further, that the Of
said Porters invention involves also q 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. d. Porter has formally disclamed, as ap-
pears upon the public records OF said Office, OF
whichan official copy is hereto annexed, and also
copy of his claims.
In the National Inteuigencer 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,
1861, and how far the threat can niimidate under
such circumstances Mr. Porter's claim 10 based
upon movable perforated diaphragm, and was
so understood by the Patent Office, as il appears
from the recotas of the Patent Office that his
claim was al trst refused as interfering with q
prior patent 10 Robert FOULS, of Canada, for an
equivalent contrivanee. 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 woodS
The statement carries absurdiy on its front, and
is libel on the good sense Of the Patent Ofice
II such claim right had been granted il would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal manuiactory
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 OrrrcK
Angua IS, 1854
Sir. In reply to your letter Of this date, asking
I" If any patent has been granted to w. ID. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1854, or at any other time, or
or them "Mserciusive 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. Portsrs
claims are believed 10 be mined TO his appara-
tusi and further, this Office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the srein-
SIRE rigM Of making gas from cosd II would,
however be unjustifable TO expect me TO make
an extended investigation TO answer your re-
quest.
am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. Mason, Commissioner Of Pafcnts
w. p MCDONALD, Esq,
Care Of Prof G. O. Page, Washington, D. @.
The United States Patent OHce-To all PERSONS TO
fch0m these presents shall como, grsinx:
This is TO certify that the annexed Is true copy
from the files OF this Office of extract from q
paper filed in the matter Of the application Of w.
u. Porter for letters patent, in accordance with
which application letters patent issued TO the
said w. ID. Porter on the 22d 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 10 he hereunto s@xed
IL. $. this 18th day of August, in the year Of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and 6hy-
four, and of the independence of the United
States the seventy ninth. G. Mason.
Copy Of disela,sssr Of W. d. Porter IN his appiiea.
fien for "aa improved stM for making GOOD
gas fled Aagua 8, 1854. Letters paisaf isned
ARgus22 1854
81 do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
subjecting the products of destructive distlstion
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 United STATES Patent OEee-- To all persons 10
tohom these presents shall come greeting:
This is to certify that the annexed is n true COPY
from the records of this Office of 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
Z, affixed this twenty.ffth 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
scventy-ninth. G. MAsoN,
Eaaraet from Specification of w. ID. Psyfev on
schich letters patent issued August ~, 1854
CIAIM.-What claim my invention and de-.
sire to secure by letters patent is:
"The construction of gas apparatus or still.
consisting of metallic or other cylinder B, the
cones + and ID, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
+, substantially as described in the foregoing spe-
cifcation, and shown in the accompanying draw
ingsn
The truth ofthe abovema be ascertained from
the records of the Patent Office, TO which all have
access.
VIM p. MCCONNELL,
BY his attorney CHAS. @. PAGE.
esDOOR,s RAILROAD MAP or TINE