Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-03-24
WOOD GAs.-CAuTION.

IL T. 1t known that i, the subscriber OBJ.
Id tanned letters patent in December, 1851, for
apparatus for the destructive distillation 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
ing my said patent. And, further, that what is
patented by said Porter rightfully 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 States
Patent Office, and which has been adjudged to be
patentable to the first inventor thereof and which
said w. ID. Porter has formally disclaimed, IS ap-
pears upon the public records OF said oiice, o,
which official copy is hereto annexed, and also
a copy Of his claims.
In the National hteAigeaeer 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 statemens
compors with the fact Of my patent of December,
1881, and how far the threat can intmdaie under
such circumstances Mr.. Porter's claim 10 based
upon a'movable perforated diaphragm, and was
so understood by the Patent Office. ns ia app..,s
from the records OF the Patent Office thai his
claim was al first refused as interfering with
prior patent TO Robert FOULS Of Canada, for an
equivalent conirivance. This claim, as given be-
low, and in which The perforated diaphragm is the
saving clause is what Mr. Porter calls securing
the "exclu-ire right 10 making gas from wood"
The statement cnrries absurdity on its front, and
is a libel on the good sense Of the Patent Office
IL such claim right had been granted, il would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal mandatory
IN the country.
The following copies of correspondence and
extracts from the records Of the Patent Office viii
show the true state Of the ease
UMTKD STATES PATENT OFFICE,
august 25, 1854.
Sir. In reply to your letter Of this date, asking
" if any patent has been granted TO w. ID. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1854, or al any other time, or
TO any other person or persons, securing to him
or them Hss srcimsipe right Of making gas from
rood" and whether any such claim was made by
w. ID. Porter under his application for patent,
which letters patent were Issned bearing the
above date, you are informed that w. ID. Porters
claims are believed 10 be mined TO his appara-
tus; and, further, this Office is not aware that a
patent has been granted heretofore for the eroiS-
size right Of making gas from tcosd. 1t would,
however, be unjusti6able 10 expect me TO mako
an extended investigation TO answer your
quest.
am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. MASON, Commissioner of Patents.
w. P. McCoNAELLr Esq,
Care Of Prof. C. G. Page, Washington, D. c.
The United States Patent OGee-To oil PERSONS 10
,chom these presents shall eo~s, syefing:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is a true copy
from the files Of this Office Of extract from q
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 tho
said w ID. Porter on the 22d day Of August,
eighteen hundred and ifty-four.
In testimony whereof, Charles Mason, Com
missioner OF Patents, have caused the seal
of the Patent Office 10 he hereunto affixed
IL. s. this 25th day Of August. in the year OF our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and 6fty-
four, and of the independence of the United
States the seventy-nintb. G.. mason
Copy of disclaimer of w. d. Porter ,n his apphca.
ton for "an ipproped sfiX for making roood
gas,"fhd Aags" 5, 1854. Letters patent t''ned
Augma22, 1854.
"I do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
subjecting the products Of destructive distilauon
thereirom to high degree of heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification of w. p. Mcdonnell"
TRs United States Patent OGce-To all persons TO
vhom hissspresents shall come greeting:
This is TO certify that the annexed is a true copy
from the records Of this Office of extract from
the specification of W. ID. Porer's patent, issued
in the twenty second day of August, eighteen
hundred and ffly-four.
In testimony whereof /, Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents, have caused the
seal OF the Patent Office TO be hereunto
:. affixed this twenty. fifth day OF August,
L. VI in the year Of our Lord one Thousand
eight hundred and fifty -four, and OF tho
independence of the United States the
seyenty-ninih. G. MAsoN.
Ensraei from Specification Of w. ID. Porter
whioh letters patent toere issued august %, 1854.
CLArM.-What claim my invention and de.
sire to secure by letters patent is:
"Tbe construction Of a gas apparatus or still,
co insisting OF metallic other cylinder b, the
cones and ID, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
7, substantially as described in the foregoing spe-
cifcaton, and shown in the accompanying draw
| ingsn
the records Of the Patent Office, to which all have
access.
WIN. p. MCCONNELL,
BY his attorney CHAS. G. PAGE.
ssDOOR's RAILROAD NAP or THE
UNITED STATES.',-This celebra
III