Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-03-02
WOOD GAS.-CAUTTON.
DE 1t known that I, the subsc rIber

, knOWn tndt Il, Tie SUBSCRIBER Cd
Id tanned letters patent in December, 1851, for
an apparatus for the destructive distillaton OF
wood, and the making thereirom Of tar pitch al
pleasure, and gas and that in the judgment OF
competent persons the invention OF an appar-
tus recently patented by w. D. Porter cannot be
used by him any other person without infring-
ing my said patent. And further, that what IS
patented by said Porter rightfully belongs to me-
as | expect 10 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 adiudged 10 be
patentabe TO the first inventor thereof and which
said w. d. Porter has formally disclaimed as APP
pears upon the public records OF said office, OF
which an official copy is hereto annexed, and also
a copy Of his claims.
In the National Ilteligencer OF the 18th instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the Exclusive right 10 making gas from
wood, and threatens prosecution 10 all parties
infringing his patent | ask how this statement
COMFORTS with the fact of my patent of Decent or,
1851, and how far the threat intimidate under
such circumstances? MIR. Porters claim is based
upon a movable perforated diaphragm, and was
so understood by the Patent Office, as il appears
from the records of the Patent Office that his
claim AT first refused as interfering with a
prior patent TO Robert FOULS of Canada, for an
equivalent contrvance. 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 libel on the good sense Of the Patent Office
If such claim or right had been granted, il would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal mandatory
an the country.
The following copies OF correspondence and
extracts from the records of the Patent Office will
show the true state of the ease
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE
August IS, 1854.
SIR. In reply 10 your letter of this date, asking
" il 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 10 him
or them "he ezclmsits 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 issued bearing the
above date, you informed that w. d. Porter's
claims are believed 10 be Mined 10 his appara-
tus; and, further, this Office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the erein-
siue right Of making gas from scOsd II would,
however, be unIustifiable TO expect me 10 make
an extended investigation 10 answer your re-
quest.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. MASON Commissioner of Patents.
w. p. McCoSAELI, Esq.
Care of Prof c. G.. Page, Washington, d. c.
The Uniied States Patent OGce-To all persons 10
achoDi these presents shall come, grating:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is a 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 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, l. Charles Mason, Com
missioner Of Patents, have caused the seal
of the Patent Office TO be hereunto affixed
IT, $. this 18th day Of August, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty
four, and ofthe independence ofthe United
States the scyenty-nintb. G. Mason.
Copy Of disclaimer Of W. d. Porter in his apphca.
foR for an Improved sM for making scood
gas, fisd august 3, 1854. Letters pattern issued
August % 1854.
81 do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
subJectng the products of destructive dstillation
thereirom to 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
tchoni these presents shall come greeting:
This is TO certify that the annexed is true copy
from the records of this Office Of an extract from
the specification Of w. ID. Porter's patent, issued
in the twenty second day of August, eighteen
hundred and ffty-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,
in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and fihy.four, and OF the
Independence of the United States the
seyenty-ninih. G. Mason.
Eurac from SPECIFICATION of W. ID. Porter on
,chteh letters patent issued august %, 1854.
CLArM.-What claim as my invention and de.
sire to secure by letters patent is
The construction of gas apparatus or still,
consisting OF a metallic or other cylinder B, the
cones and ID, diaphram plate G., and exit pipe
+, substantially as described in the foregoing spe.
cifcation, and shown in the accompanying draw
ings.n
The truth Of the above may be ascertained from
The records Of the Patent Office, to which all have
access,
WIN. r. MCCONNELL,
BY his attorney CHAS. G. PAGE.
HEADEIRA NJJTS latest rrouth n ra.H