Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-09-18
WOOD GAs.-CAUTION.

DE Ii known that i, the subscriber OBJ
ID tanned letters patent in December, 1851 for
an apparatus for the destructive dstlllation OF
wood. aud 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 inrlng-
ing nv said patent. And, further, that what is
patented by said Porter rightfuIy belongs to me,
as / expect TO prove ere long before the United
States Patent Office; and, further, that the OF
said Porters invention involves also process
which am now claiming before the United States
Patent Office, and which has been adludged 10 be
pa.entable TO the first inventor thereof aud which
said w. ID. Porter has formally disclalmed, as ap-
pears upon the public records OF said office, OF
which an official copy is hereto annexed, and also
copy Of his claims.
In the National hlteAigencer of the 25th instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has. secured by
patent the texclusive right 10 making gas from
woodn and threatens prosecution 10 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 lntimidae under
such circumstances? Mr. Porter's claim is based
upon movable perforated diaphragm, and was
so understood by the Patent Office, il appears
from the records of the Patent Office that his
claim at first refused interfering with
prior patent 10 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 MIR. Porter calls securing
the "exclusive right TO making gas from wood"
The statement carries absurdity on Its front, and
is libel on the good sense OF the Patent Othce
If such a claim or right had been granted, it twould
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal mandatory
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
UNlTEs STATES PATENT OFFICE,
august %, 1854.
SIP N Left pf Iat
!" if any patent has been granted TO w. ID. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1854 or at any other time, or
10 any other person or persons, securing TO him
them tile erciusipe right Of making gas from
1cood" 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. Porter's
claims believed TO be mined to his appara-
tns; and, further, this office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the ereln-
size right of making gas from Wosd II would,
however, be unjustifable TO expect me to make
extended investigation to answer your re-
quest.
am respectfully, your obedieni servant,
G. MASON, Commissioner of Patents
w. p. MCDONALD, Esq,
Care of Prof. G. G. Page, Washington, d. @.
TIE United States Patent Ofce-To all persons 10
1OAon these presents shall come, grating:
This is TO certify that the annexed is atrue copy
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. 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
l.. s 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 Q. MASON.
COPY Of disclaimer Of w. ID. Porter ia his opplica.
ti0n for san improved still for making soood
gas FLED august 5, 1854. Letters patent issued
Augmst22, 1854.
g | do not claim as my invention and discovery
the Improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
subjecting the products of destructive distiation
therefrom 10 a 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 Ofce--To all persons 10
rcLonl these presents shall come greeting:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is true copy
from the records Of this Office of an extract from
the specification Of w D. Porter's patent, issued
in the twenty second day of August, eighteen
hundred and ffy-four.
In testimony whereof, /, Charles Mason, Com
missioner Of Patents, have caused the
seal of the Patent Office TO be hereunto
:, affixed this twentyffh day OF August,
- 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.
Earqct from Specification Of W.. ID. Porter on
tohieh letters patent issued August %, 1854.
CLAIM.-What claim as my invention and de-
sire 10 secure by letters patent is
:" The construction of gas apparatus or still,
consisting OF a metallic or other cylinder b, the
cones L and d, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
4, substantially as described in the foregoing spe-
cfcation, and shown in the accompanying draw
ings.n
The truth ofthe above may be ascertained from
the records Of the Patent Office 10 which all have
access,
WIN. P. MCCONNELL