Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-10-04
WOOD GAS.-CAUTION.

II u
Id tanned letters patent in December, 1851, for
an apparatus for the destructive distllation OF
wood, and the making therefrom of tar or pitch at
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 Is
patented by said Porter rghtfully belongs 10 me,
as / expect TO prove ere long before the United
States Patent Office; and, further that the use of
said Porters invention involves also process
which am now claiming before the United States
Patent Office, and which has been adjudged to be
patentable 10 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
copy of his claims.
In the National InteAigencer of the 25th instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the "excusive right TO making gas from
wood" 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 intimidate under
such circumstances? Mr.. Porter's claim is based
upon movable perforated diaphragm and was
SO understood by the Patent Office, as il appears
from the records of the Patent Office that his
claim was al first refused as interfering with
prior patent TO Robert Fouls, of Canada, for an
equivalent conlrivance. This claim, a. 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 absurdity on its front, and
il a libel on the good sense of the Patent Oibce
Ii such d claim or right had been granted il would
forbid every coai-lsiln and charcoal manuiactory
in the country.
The following copies of correspondence and
extracts from the records Of the Patent Once VIII
show the true state OF the ease:
INTED STATES PATENT OFFICE,
August 25, 1854.
SIR In reply 10 your letter 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 TO hun
or them /" Us ezciasive right Of making gas from
vood," and whether any such claim was made by
w. d. Porter, under his application for patent,
which letters patent issued bearing the
above date, you are informed that w. u. Porters
claims are believed to be mined TO his appara-
tus; and, further, this office is moi aware mat
patent has been granted heretofore for The eaciu-
sine right Of making gas from acooa Il would,
however, be unjusifable 10 expect nie 10 make
an extended investigation to answer your re-
quest
am, respectfully your obedient servant,
@. Mason, Commissioner OF Patents.
WP MCDONALD, Esq,
Care of Prof c. G. Page, Washington, D. G.
The United States Patent OHce-To all persons to
schoDa tsese presents shall come, grating
This is to certify that the annexed is atrue copy
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 ID. 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 TO be hereunto affixed
H. 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
-. .,fh
Copv of disclaimer of W. d. Porter in has Gppiica.
tion for I" an improved stiU for making fcood
gas filed august 5, 1854 Letters patent issued
Augusta, 1854.
81 do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, VIZ:
theretrom 10 high degree Of heat sta9
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification of w. P. Mcconnell"
The U,aised States Patent OGce-To all persons to
tchon these presents shall come creating:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is true copy
from the records of this Office OF an extract from
the 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
r, affixed this twenty-ffth day of August,
L 81 n the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ffiyfour, and OF the
independence of the United States the
seventy-ninth. G. Mason.
Eairact from Specification Of w. ID. Porter
rohieh bftsrs patent ,cere issued Aagus %, 1854.
CLAM-What | claim as my invention and de-
sire TO secure by letters patent is:
"The construction Of a gas apparatus or still,
consisting OF a metallic or other cylinder b, the
cones and d, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
F, substantially as described in the foregoing spe-
cifcation, and shown in the accompanying draw
ings."
the records OF the Patent Office, 10 which all have
access.
WIN. p. MCCONNELL,
BY his attorney CHAS. c. PAGE.