Washington sentinel., 1855-02-15
WOOD GAS.-CAUTION.
DE n known that L. the suhsc ribe

an apparatus for the destructive dlStatlon oil
wood and the making therefrom 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 infring-
ing my said patent. And, further, that what as
patented by said Porter rghtfully belongs TO me,
as | 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 adludged 10 be
patentabe TO 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 LatelligeRcer of the 25th instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the Exclusive 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 intmdate under
such circumstancesa Mr.. Porter's claim is based
upon movable perforated diaphragm, and was
understood by the Patent Office, as il appears
from the records OF the Patent Office that his
claim was al first refused 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 Exclusive right TO making gas from wood"
The statement carries absurdty its front, and
is a libel on the good sense of the Patent OFF ce
IL such a claim right had been granted, il would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal mandatory
an 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
if any patent has been granted 10 w. ID. Porter,
dated 0r at nj her me- or
to any other person or persons, securing 10 him
or them the ezcinstus right of making gas from
rood and whether any such claim 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. Porter's
claims are believed TO be mined 10 his appara-
tus; and, further, this Office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the erciu-
size righ of making gas from t0oed II would,
however be unjustifable 10 expect me TO make
an extended investigation 10 answer your re.
quest.
am, respectfully, your obedient servant
G. Mason, Commissioner OF Patents.
w. p. MCDONALD, Esq,
Care Of Prot. G. G. Page, Washington, d. G.
The United States Patent Ofee-To all persons 10
sohom these presents shall come graing
This is 10 certify that the annexed is true copy
from the files Of this Office Of extract from a
paper filed'in the matter Of the application Of W.
ID. Porter for letters patent, in accordance with
which application letters patent issued 10 the
said w. d. 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 be hereunto affixed
IL. 81 this 25th 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 seventy-nintb. G. Mason.
Copy Of disclaimer of ". d. Porter in his aypliea.
tion for can tmprored aW for making tcood
gas"ftd August D, 1854. Letters patent fssued
Augua22, 1854.
do not claim as my invention and discovery |
the improvements in making gas from wood viz |
the products OF destructive dstiIlation
Iherefrom to high degree Of heat, substantially
rs has been described and for the purposes SET |
orth in the specification Of w. p. Mcconnell
The United States Patent 0Gce-To all persons 10 |
whom Mssspresen shall come greeting:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is true copv
rom the records ofthis Office Of an extract from |
he specification Of w ID. Porters 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
II, al affixed this twenty.iflh day OF August,
!" - in the year Of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ffty-four, and OF The
independence Of the United States the
seventy-ninih. G. MASON
Enract from Specification of W. d. Porer on
chtoh letters patent acsre fssued Augua 90, 1854,
CLAM-What | claim as my invention and de-
ire to secure by letters patent is:
The construction of gas apparatus or STILL
o insisting OF a metallic or other cylinder r. The
ones f and d, diaphram plate @, and exit pine
!, substantially as described in the foregoing spe.
ihcation and shown in the accompanying draw.
ngs."
The truth ofthe above may be ascertained from
ne records OF The Patent Office, TO which all have
ccess.
VIM p. MCCONNELL,
BY his attorney CHAS, @. PAGE.