Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-21
MisrfIlanagns.
WOOD GAs.-CAUTION.


DE 1t known that 1, the subscriber OBJ
I'D tanned letters patent in December, 1881, for
an apparatus for the destructive distiaton OF
wood and the making therefrom OF tar or pitch Al
pleasure, and gas T; and that in the judgment OF
competent persons the invention OF an appar-
tus recently patented by w. D. 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 rightfuly belongs to me,
as ! expect 10 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 TO the first inventor thereof, and which
said w. d. Porter has formally discaimed, 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 I,neLigenceT of the 25th instant
Mr. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the "exclusive right 10 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,
1851, and how far the threat can intimidate under
such circumstances! Mr.. Porer'xclaim is based
upon movable perforated diaphragm, and was
SO understood by the Patent Office, as II appears
from the records of the Patent Office that his
claim was at first refused as interfering with
prior patent 10 Robert FOULS, of Canada, for an
equivalent conirivance. 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 absurdiiy on its front, and
ia 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:
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,
august 25, 1854.
SIR. In reply TO your letter of this date, asking
eff any patent has been granted TO w. d. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1854, or at any other time, or
TO any other person or persons, securing TO MIN
or them :" the ercinsire right Of making gas from
acood" 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. u. Porter's
claims are believed to De mined 10 his appara-
tus; and, further, this office is not aware that a
patent has been granted heretofore for the erciu-
sive right of making gas from rco0d 1t would,
however be unlusti6able to expect me 10 make
an extended investigation to answer your re-
quest.
am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
c. MASON, Commissioner of Patents.
w. p. MCDONALD, Esq,
Care of Prof. c. G. Page, Washington, d. c.
The United States Patent Ofce-Io all persons 10
achons these presents shall come, greting:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is true copy
from the files of this office of an extract from
paper filed in the matter of the application OF w.
b. Porter for letters patent, in accordance with
which application letters patent were issued to the
said w ID. Porter the 22d day OF August,
eighteen hundred and fftyfour.
In testimony whereof, Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents, have caused the seal
OF the Patent Office 10 he hereunio affixed
II. s.. this 25th day of August in the year of our
ii hnu nd ai0 hundral
four, and of the independence ofthe United
States the seventy-nintb. c. MASON.
Copy of disclaimer of W. d. Porter IN his appliea.
tion for " an Improved stiH for MAKING tcood
gas, Eled august S, 1854. Letters patent issued
Augua22 1854
:" do not claim as my invention and discovery
he improvements in making gas from who'd, viz
,ubjectns the products of destructive distillation
herefrom 10 high degree OF heat, substantially
Is has been described and for the purposes set
orth in the specification of w. p. Mcconnell"
The United States Patent OHcs-To all persons to |
,olopa thsse presents shall come greeting:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is true copy
rom the records OF this Office of an extract from
he specification of w. d. Porters patent, issued
IN the twenty second day of August, eighteen |
hundred and fRy-four.
In testimony whereof, !, Charles Mason, Com.
missioner of Patents, have caused the |
seal Of the Patent Office 10 be hereunto |
,. affixed this twenty fifth day OF August,
IL 81 in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ffty-four, and OF the
independence OF the United States the
seventy-ninth. 9. MASON
Ezryaot from Specification Of w d. Porter on
tohieh letters pateit issued august ~, 1854.
CLAIM.--What claim as my invention and de |
,ire to secure by letters patent is:
THE construction OF gas apparatus or still
% insisting OF a metallic or other cylinder B, the
zones and d, diaphram plate c, and exit pipe |
F, substantially described in the foregoing spe-
,ifcation, and shown in the accompanying draw
ngs."
The truth OF the above may be ascertained from
he records Of the Patent Office, 10 which all have
access. -
VIM p MCCONNELL,
BY his attorney CHAS. @. PAGE.
OCOTT,s WEEKLY PAPER.--The pub