Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-20
Misrfllantuus.
WOOD GAs.-CAUTYON.


DE 1t known that I, the subscriber OBJ
| I'D tanned letters patent in December, 1851, fol
| an apparatus for the destructive distniation oi
wood and the making therefrom oftar or pitch u
pleasure, and gas and that in the judgment oI
competent persons the invention OF an appar-
| tus recently patented by w. d. Porter cannot be
used by him or any other person without infring-
ing my said patent. And, further, that what -
patented by said Porter rightfuly belongs 70 me,
as | expect to prove ere long before the United
States Patent Otice; 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
patentabe TO the first inventor thereof, and which
snsi W. D. Pointer has formally discaimcd, % ap-
pears upon the public Tecofds ~uf 04ss, -
which official copy is hereto annexed, and also
a copy of his claims.
In the National IateA gencer 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 all parties
infringing his patent I 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 it appears
from The records Of the Patent Office that his
claim was at first refused interfering with a
prior patent 10 Robert Fouls, Of Canada, for an
equivalent contrivance. This claim, 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 Patent Ofice.
If such claim or right had been granted, it would
forbid every coal-kn and charcoal ma1ntactory
in the country.
The following copies Of correspondence and
extracts from the records OF the Patent Onlce Will
show the true state of the case
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,
august IS, 1854.
SIR. In reply to your letter of this date, asking
\" if any patent has been granted to w. u. Porter
dated 22d August, 1851, or at any other time, or
TO any other person or persons, securing TO him
or them "the erclusiUe right Of making gas from
rood" and whether any such claim was made BY
w. d. Porter, under his application tor patent,
which letters patent were ISSUED bearing the
above date, you are informed that w. D. Porters
claims are believed to be mined 10 his appara-
tus and, further, this Office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the e1cln-
sive right of making gas from WoSd II uwouid,
however, be unjustfabIe to expect me to make
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, d. c.
The United States Paeat OHce-To all persons 10
achona these presents shall come, grazing:
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 AAgust
eighteen hundred and ffiy-four.
In testimony Whereof l Charles Mason, Com
missioner Of Patents, have caused the seal
Of the Patent Office TO he hereunto affixed
H. S.. this 25th day Of August, in the year Of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty
oTt tk1,, lopa an1o CFf fha nj tad
States the seventy-nintb. G. MASON
Copy of disclaimer of W. d. Porter IN his appliea.
tion for g an improved stiH for making scood
gas, FILED .Augast S, 1854. Letters patent issued
August q, 1854.
al do not claim rs my invention and discovery
the Improvements in making gas from wood, VIZ: :
subecing the products of destructive distillaton
therefrom TO high degree OF heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification Of W. P. Mcconnell"
The United States Patent OEce-7o all PERSONS to
1cAom Mssepresents 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. ID. Porter's patent, issued
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
H. 81 a. ,be voar Of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ifly-four, and OF the
independence of the United States the
seyenty-ninth. G. MASON.
Earac from Specification of w. d. Perer on
aojt,ch letters patent acre issued august %, 1854.
CLAIM-What claim my invention and de-
sire TO secure by letters patent is
THE construction OF gas apparatus or stil
co insisting OF metallic other cylinder B, the
cones and ID, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
+, substantially as described in the foregoing spe-
ci6cation, and shown in the accompanying draw
ngs."
The truth ofihe above may be ascertained from
the records of the Patent Office, to which all have
access.
WIN. p. MCCONNELL,
By his attorney CHAS. g. PAGE.