Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-04-14
WOOD GAS.-CAUTION.

DE II known that 1, the subscriber OBJ
I'D tanned letters patent in December, 1851 for
an apparatus for the destructive distillation 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. d. 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 rightfuly belongs TO me,
as | expect TO 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 adJudged TO be
patentabe to the first inventor thereof and which
said w. ID. 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 Lstelligencey of the 25th instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the exclusive right 10 making gas from
wood" and threatens prosecution TO all parties
infringing his patent. 4 ask how this statement
compors 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 at 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 10 making gas from wood"
The statement carries absurdity on its front, and
is a libel on the good sense of the Patent Office
If such claim or right had been granted, it would
forbid every coal-kin 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:
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,
august 25, 1854.
SIR. In reply 10 your letter of tins date, asking
f" if any patent has been granted 10 w. ID. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1854, or at any other time, or
10 any other person or persons, securing TO him
or them " the erclnuUe right of making gas from
soood," and whether any such claim was made by
W. d. Porter, under his application for patent,
which letters patent were issued bearing the
above date, you are informed that w. ID. Porter's
claims are believed TO be mined TO his appara-
tus; and, further, this Office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the erelae
size right Of making gas from acoSd IL would,
however, be unJusl6able 10 expect me 10 make
an extended investigation TO answer your re-
quest.
| am, respectfully your obedient servant,
c. MASON Commissioner Of Patents.
w. P. McCoNAELL, Esq,
Care of Prof C. G. Page, Washington, ID. G.
Tie United States Patent OGce-To all persons 10
achons these presents shall come, greting:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is q 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 the 22d day of August, |
eighteen hundred and fifly-four.
In testimony whereof, / Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents, have caused the seal
Of the Patent Office TO be hereunto affixed
L. 81 this 25th day Of August, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and ffty- |
four, and OF the independence of the United
States the seveniy-nlntb. u. MASON.
Copy of disclaimer of W. d. Porter IN his 0pplica.
lion for "aa impropsd SfiH for making tcood
gas filed Augmst 5, 1854. Letters patent issued |
Angna22, 1854.
|" | do not claim my invention and discovery |
the improvements in making gas from wood viz:
subectins the products of destructive distillation
therefrom 10 q 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 OHce--To all persons to |
tchom these epresezts shall come greeting:
This is TO certify that the annexed is true copy
from the records ofthis Office of an extract from
in the twenty second day Of August eighteen
hundred and fifiy-four.
In testimony Whereof /, Charles Mason, Com
missioner OF Patents, have caused the |
seal OF the Patent Office TO be hereunto |
:, affixed this twenty-ffih day OF August
= q n the year of our Lord one thousand |
eight hundred and fhy-four, and OF the |
Independence Of the United States the
seventynnth. c. Mason.
Ez1ract from Specification Of W. d. Porter on
tchioh letters patent mere issued august %, 1854.
CLAIM--What | claim as my invention and de-
sire 10 secure by letters patent is:
"The construction OF a gas apparatus or STILL |
co onssting OF metallic or other cylinder B, the |
cones + and j, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe |
f, substantially described in tue foregoing spe-
and shown in the accompanying draw
ings"
The truth ofthe above may be ascertaned from |
the records Of The Patent Office, 10 which all have
access.
WIN. p. MCCONNELL,
BY his attorney CHAS. @. PAGE