Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-09-04
WOOD GAS.-CAUTION.

n tanned letters patent in December, 1851 for
an apparatus Tor the destructive distlation 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 intring-
ing my said patent And, further, that what IS
patented by said Porter rightfully belongs TO 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 adudged 10 be
patentable to the first inventor thereof and which
said w. ID. Porter has formally disclaimed, as ap-
pears upon the public records OF said ohice, OF
which official copy is hereto annexed, and also
a copy of his claims.
In the National huelligencer of the 25th instant
Mr. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the exclusive right TO making gas from
wood" and threatens prosecution TO ali parties
infringing his patent | ask how this statement
comports with the fact of my patent OF December,
1851, and how far the threat can lntlmldate under
such circumstances? Mr.. Porters claim is based
upon movable perforated diaphragm, and was
so understood by the Patent Office, as it appears
from the records of the Patent Ofiice that his
claim was al first refused as 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 absurdity on Its front, and
is a libel on the good sense OF the Fatent ohce
If such claim or right had been granted, it 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 Will
show the true state of the ease:
UNIrRD STATES PATENT OFFICE,
august 25, 1854.
SIR. In reply to your letter of this date, asking
"if any patent has been granted 10 w. d. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1854, or nj any other time, or
10 any other person or persons, securing 10 hlm
or them "the srrlwsus right Of making gas jron
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. " Porters
claims are believed TO be C mined TO his appara-
tus; and, further, this office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the eaclu-
sipe right of making gas from icoad II would,
however, be unjusti6able TO expect me 10 make
an extended investigation to answer your re-
quest.
am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
c. MASON, Commissioner of Patents.
w. P. MCCoNAELI, Esq,
Care of Prof. c. G.. Page, Washington, ID. Z.
The United States Patent O6fce-To all persons to
achon, these presents shall come, grettmg:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is true copy
from the files Of this Office of an extract from a
paper filed in the matter of the application OF W.
ID. Porter for letters patent, in accordance win
which application letters patent were issued TO the
said W. ID. Porter 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 afiixed
H. s.. this 25th day of August, IN the year OF our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and hfy-
four, and of the independence of the United
States the seventy y-nlntb. Z. MASON
Copy of disclaimer of w. ID. Porter in his arpica.
fion for "an improved still for making 1oood
gas, fled august 5, 1884. Letters patent assured
August 90, 1854.
s / do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, VIZ;
subjecting the products of destructive distilla'on
therefrom TO a high degree OF heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification of w. p. Mcconnell" ri
The United States Patent OGce-1o all persons 10
.chona 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. d. Porter's patent issued
in the twenty second day of August eighteen
hu ndred and ffty-four.
In Testimony whereof !, Charles Mason Com
missioner of Patents, have caused the
seal of the Patent Office TO be hereunto
affixed this twenty-ffth day OF August
L 81 n the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and fifty -four, and OF the
independence of the United States the
seventy-ninth. O. MASON.
Earract from Specification Of W. ID. Porter on
,phieh Letters patent tcere issued August ~, 1884.
CLAIN.-What claim as my invention and de.
sire to secure by letters patent is
THE construction of gas apparatus or stlll
consisting OF a metallic or other cylinder B, the
cones f and ID, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
r, substantially as described in the foregoing spe
ci6cation, and shown in the accompanying draw
ings."
The truth ofthe above may be ascerained from
the records OF the Patent Office, TO which all have
access. -
VIM p MCCONNELL,
py his attornev CHAS G. PAGE.