Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-23
MisfeIlanEuns.
WOOD GAs.-CAUTION.


DE It known that I, the subscriber OBJ
ID tanned letters patent in December, 1851. for
an apparatus for the destructive dstiliatlon Of
wood, and the making therofrom of tar or pitch Al
pleasure, and gas and that in the Judgment OF
competent persons the invention OF an appar-
lus recently patented by w. d. Porter cannot be
used by him or any other person witaout infring-
ing my said patent. And, further, that what -
patented by said Porter rightfuly belongs 10 me,
as | expect TO 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 Staies
Patent Office, and which has been adjudged to be
paientable 10 the FIRST inventor thereof and which
said w D. Porter has formally disclaimed, us ap-
pears upon the public records oi said ONCE, OF
which an official copy is hereto annexed, and also
copy Of his claims. Afa-f 9
In the National I,teligsneer or the 25thinstant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the acxciuslve right 10 making gas from
wood" 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 intimidate under
such circumstances? Mr.. Porer's claim is based
upon a movable perforated diaphragm, and was
80 understood by the Patent Office, as II appears
from the records Of the Patent Office that his
claim was al first refused as interfering with a
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 exclusive right TO making gas from wood" "
The statement carries absurdty on lis front, and
is q libel on the good sense of the Patent Odice.
If such claim or right had been granted, 1t would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal mandatory
in the country. A 's3.
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 lotter Of this date, asking
"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 70 MIN
or them the erciusivs right Of making gas from
tcood- 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 that
patent has been granted heretofore for the ereia-
stue right Of making gas from wosd II would
however be uniusIifiable TO expect me TO make
an extended investigation to answer your re-
quest.
am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
@. Mason, Commissioner of Patents.
w. p. McCoNaELL, Esq,
Care Of Prof. c. G Page, Washington, d. c,
The United States Patent OGce-To all persons TO
schon these presents shall come. grating:
This is 10 certify thai 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.
d. Porter for letters patent in accordance with
which application letters patent were issued TO the
said w. d. Porter on the 22d day Of August,
eighteen hundred and hfty-four
In testimony whereof, Charles Mason, Com
missioner Of Patents, have caused the seal
Of The Patent Office 10 he hereunio afhxed
H. 6 this 25th day Of August. in the year Of our
4 nrd fh and iuhf bu a N "
four and ofthe independence of the United
States the seventy G. Mason.
Copy Of disclaimer Of w D. Porter his appiiea.
tion for IAN improved HH for MAKING 'oood
gas Med august 5, 1854. Letters patent issued
Augna22. 1854.
g / do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz: /:
subjeciing the products Of destructive distation
therefrom to high degree of heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes sci
forth in the specification of w. P. Mcconnell"
The Unued States Patent OEce-To all persons to
schom these presents shall conn greeting:
This is to certify that the annexed is true copy
from the records OF this oiire OF an extract from
The specification Of w. D. Porter's patent, issued
the twenty second day of August, eighteen
hundred and fifiy-four.
In testimony whereof, j, Charles Mason, Com
missioner Of Patents. sAave caused the
seal Of the Patent Office to be bereunio
:. affixed this twenty fifth day OF August.
L o. in the year Of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and fifty -four, and OF the
independence of the United States the
seveniy-ninth. c. Mason
Erraet from Specification Of W. d. Porter on
schieh hfters patsnf ,0sre issued Angnsf r. 1854.
CLAra.-What I claim my invention and de
sire 10 secure by letters patent is:
"The construction of gas apparatus or still,
co insisting OF metallic or other cylinder B, the
cones E and D. diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
r, substantially described in the foregoing spe
cifcaion, and shown in the accompanying draw
ings.n
The truth ofthe above may be ascertained from
the records OF the Patent Office, TO which all have
access.
WM. p. MCCONNELL
BY his attorney CHAS. G. PAGE.