Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-10-13
WOOD GAs.-CAUTION.


DE IL known that i, the subscriber OBJ
ID tanned letters patent in December, 1851, for
an apparatus Tor the destructive distlllation OF
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 any other person without infring-
ing nv said patent. And, further, that what
patented by said Porter rightfully belongs 10 me,
as | expect to prove ere long before the United
States Patent Office and, further, that the of
said Porler's invention involves also process
which am now claiming before the United States
Patent Office and which has been adjudged 10 be
paentable 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 official copy is hereto annexed, and also
copy of his claims
liz the National LlteAigencer 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. j ask how this statement
comports with the fact Of my patent of December,
1851, and ho w far the threat can intmdate under
such circumstances? Mr.. Porter's claim is based
upon 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
equivalent contriyance. 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 10 making gas from wood"
The statement carries absurdty on lts front, and
is libel on the good sense OF the Patent Office
If such claim or right had been granted, II would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal manuactory
IN the country.
The following copies of correspondence and
extracts from the records OF the Patent once VIII
show the true slate OF the ease
UNlTEs STATES PATENT OFFICE
august 25, 1854.
SIR. In reply 10 your letter of this date, asking
: if any patent has been granted 10 W. u. Porter,
dated 22d August 1854, or al any other time, or
10 any other person or persons, securing TO him
or them "he e1ciusiue right Of making gas from
tc0oa" 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. 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 Tor The eaein-
Stpe right of making gas from Icosd II would,
however, be unjusti6able 10 expect me 10 make
an extended investigation TO answer your re-
quest
am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
c. Mason, Commissioner OF Patents
w. Z. McCoNAELI. Esq,
Care of Prof. G. G. Page, Washington, u. y.
The Ua.ted States Patent OEce-1o all persons 10
rohon these presents shall come, grating
This is 10 certify that the annexed IS atrue 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 10 the
said W. ID. Porter on the 22d day Of August,
eighteen hundred and 6hy-four.
In testimony whereof, l. Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents, have caused the seal
of the Patent Office TO be hereunto affixed
f.. 5. this 25th day of August, in the year OF our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and nifty
four, and of the independence of the United
States the seventy-nintb =. MASON.
Copv of disclaimer of W d. Poner IN has applioa.
ton for an improved stW for making roood
gas FLED Augma 5, 1854. Letters patent issued
Aagust22 1854.
IL do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, VIZ:
subjectng the products of destructive distillauon
thereiron to a high degree of heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification of w. P. Mcconnell
The Unaed STATES Patent Oece-To all persons 10
tcho1a these presents shall come creating:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is a true copy
from the records Of this Office of extract from
the specification of w. ID. Porter's patent, issued
in the twenty second day of August, eighteen
hundred and -four.
In testimony whereof, l. Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents, have caused The
seal Of the Patent Office TO be hereunto
affixed this twenty fifth day OF August,
: 81 n the year of Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ffty-four, and OF the
independence of the United States the
seventy-ninth. =. Mason
Egzraa from Specification Of w. ID. Porter on
tolieh letters patent issued Angra ~, 1854
CLAIM-What claim my invention and de-
sire 10 secure by letters patent is:
"The construction Of gas apparatus or still,
consisting OF a metallic other cylinder b, the
cones and ID, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
F, substantially as described in the foregoing spe-
ciication, and shown in the accompanying draw
ngs.n
The truth ofthe above may be ascertained from
the records of the Patent Office, TO which oil have
access
VIM p. MCCONNELL,
BY his attorney CHAS. 9. PAGE.