Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-04

IL u IL kHoWh thdt ~ tie suDSCTiUcf ob-
ID tanned letters patent IN December, 1851, lor
an apparatus for the destructive distillation OF
wood, and the making therelrom of tar or pitch al
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 infriDg-
ing my said patent. And, further that what Is
patented by said Porter rightfuly belongs 10 me,
as i 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 10 be
patenlable 10 the first inventor thereof and which
said w. ID. Porter has formally disclaimed, 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 Iateligencer of the 25th instant
Mr.. Porter annou0ces that he has secured by
patent the Exclusive right 10 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 lntImldate under
such circumstances? Mr.. Porter's claim is based
upon a movable perforated diaphragm, and was
so understood by the Patent Office, as il appears
from the records Of the Patent Office that his
claim at first refused az interfering with a
prior patent TO Robert Fouls, OF Canada, for an
equivalent contrivance. This claim, given be-
low, and in which the perforated diaphragm is the
saving clause is what Mr. Porter calls securing
the exclusive right 10 making gas from wood"
The statement carries absurdity on its front, and
is libel on the good sense of the Patent Office
If such claim right had been granted, il would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal manniactory
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
UNITKB STATES PATENT OFFICE,
August rs, 1854.
H. Ia,,. &c ~,
&C if 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 him
or them /" thecrciusiUe right Of making gas from
1oo0d,D 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. Porer's
claims are believed TO be mined to his appara-
tus; and, further, this Office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore tor the eaciu-
siUe right Of making gas from aoosd II would
however, be unJustibable 10 expect me TO make
an extended investigation to answer your re-
quest
| am, respectfully, your obedienl servant,
c. Mason, Commissioner of Patents.
w. P. McCoNAELL, Esq,
Care OF Prof. G.. G. Page, Washington, ID. 9.
The United States Patent OEce-To all persons TO
ichom these presents shall come, grazing
This is TO 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.
ID. Porter for letters patent, in accordance with
which application letters patent were issued TO the
said w. ID. Porter on the 22d day of August
eighteen hundred and 6fty-lour.
In testimony whereof, l. Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents, have caused the seal
OF the Patent Office TO be hereunto affixed
IL. ST. 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
States the seventy-nIntb. C. Mason.
Conn of disclaimer of w ID. Porter i has applica.
tion for " an improved sfH for making toood
gas filed august S, 1854. Lctters patent issued
August 90, 1854.
81 do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
sublecing the products of destructive distillation
thereirom To 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 OGce--To oil persons to
phom tlesepresents shall come grating:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is true copy
from the records ofths Office Of extract from
the specification of w. ID. Porter's patent, issued
in the twenty second day Of August, eighteen
hundred and ffiy-four.
In testimony whereof |, Charles Mason, Com
missioner Of Patents, have caused the
seal of the Patent Office 10 be hereunto
affixed this twenty-ffth day OF August,
q n the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ffy-four, and OF the
independence Of the United States the
seventy-ninth. g. MASON.
Euract from Specification Of W. ID. Porter on
schieh letters patent fcers issued august o. 1854
CLAM.-Whst | claim my invention and de-
sire 10 secure by letters patent is:
The construction of a gas apparatus or still,
consisting OF a metallic other cylinder b, the
cones and ID, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
+, substantially as described in the foregoing spe-
cifcaiion, and shown in the accompanying draw
ngs.n
The truth ofthe above may be ascertained from
the records Of the Patent Office, TO which all have
access,
WIN. r. MCCONNELL,
Rv his affnrneu CHAS q. PAGE