Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-27
TisteIlankgMs.
WOOD GAS.-CAUTION.
y II knOxvn that i. the subscriber

DE II known that /, the subscriber OBJ
ID tanned letters patent in December, 1891, Tor
an apparatus for the destructive distiilatlon OF
wood and the making therefrom OF tar or pitch at
pleasure and gas and that in lhe judgment oj
competent persons the invention Of an appar-
tus recently patented by w. d. Porter cannot be
used by him or any other person without infEing-
ing my said patent. And, further, that what IS
patented by said Porter rightiully belongs 70 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 10 be
patentabe to the first inventor thereof and winch
said w. d. Porter has formally dlscialmed as ap-
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 Iateligsncer 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,
1851 and how far the threat can intimidate under
such circumstances? Mr.. Porer's claim 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 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 ssexclusve right TO making gas from wood" !"
The statement carries absurdity on its front, and
is a libel on the good sense of the Patent ONCE
If such claim or right had been granted, II would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal manufactory
in the country.
The following copies of correspondence and
extracts from the records of the Patent Oice VIII
show the true state of the case:
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,
August 25, 1854.
SIR. In reply TO your letter of this date, asking
"if any patent has been granted 10 w u. Porter,
dated 22d August 1854, or at any other time, or
to any other person or persons, securing TO MN
or them !" the erclusive right Of MAKING gas from
trood" and whether any such claim was made by
w. ID. Porter, under his application Tor patent,
which letters patent were issued bearing Inc
above date, you are informed that w. d. Porter's
claims are believed to be mined to his appara-
tus and further, this Office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the ezctn-
sire right of making gas from tcosd 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 Patents,
w. P. McCoSAELL, Esq,
Care of Prof. C. G. Page, Washington, D. c.
Tie United States Patent Q5fee-To all persons 10
1chona these presents snail come, grcttns:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is a true copy
from the files of This Office of an extract from
paper filed in the matter of the application OF w
ID. Porter for letters patent, In accordance with
which application letters patent We're issued TO Inc
said w. d.. Porter on the 22d day OF August,
eighteen hundred and ffy-four.
In testimony whereof, /, Charles Mason. Com.
missioner or ratenrs, have caused the seal
of the Patent Office 10 be hereunto affixed
H. 81 this 18th day Of August, in the year OF our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and hfiy-
four, and ofthe independence of the United
States the seventy y-ninib. G. Mason.
Copy of iselaiaer of W. ID. Porter im has applica.
tion for an Improved sttH for MAKING roood
gas" fLed August 5, 1854. Letters patent 'ssHed
August %, 1854.
"I do not claim as my Invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
subjecting the products OF destructive dst1lauon
therefrom 10 high degree OF heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification OF w. p. Mcconnell"
TIE United States Patent Ofce-To all persons 10
.chopi h1sspreSeus shall come greding:
This is to 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
on the twenty second day OF August, eighteen
hundred and fhy-our.
In testimony whereof l. Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents, have caused the
seal OF the Patent Office to be hereunto
:, affixed this twenty-ifth day OF August,
l. 81 in the year Of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ffiy-four, and OF the
Independence OF the United States the
seventy-ninth C. Mason.
Eaaraot from SPECIFICATION of W. ID. Porter
scLich letters patent ,cere issued AHgUa %, 1854
CLAIM.-Wha, claim as my invention and de.
sire TO secure by letters patent is
"The construction Of gas apparatus or still,
consisting OF a metallic other cylinder B, the
cones and d. dsphram plate c, and exit pipe
+, substantially as described in the foregoing spe-
ci6ca,ion and shown in the accompanying draw
ings."
the records of the Patent Office, 10 which all have
access
WIN. p. MCCONNELL.
BY his attorney CHAS. g. PAGE.