Washington sentinel., 1855-03-21
WOOD GAs.-CAUTTON.

ID e 1t known that i, the subscriber OBJ
Id 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 rightfully belongs to me,
/ expect to prove ere long before the United
States Patent Office; and, further, that the Of
said Porter's invention involves also aprocess
which am now claiming before the United States
Patent Office, and which has been adjndged to 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 Office, OF
which an official copy is hereto annexed, and also
a copy of his claims.
In the National InteUigsneer 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 a 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 TO Robert Fouls, Of Canada, for an
equivalent contrivancc.. This claim, as given be-
low, and in which the perforated diaphragm il 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 libel on the good sense of the Patent Office
IL such a claim right had been granted, il would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal mandatory
IN the country.
The following copies Of correspondence and
extracts from the records of the Patent OfRce will
show the true state of the ease:
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. ID. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1854, or at any other time, or
TO any other person persons, securing TO him
or them the ercinsipe 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 are informed that w. ID. Porter's
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 srcln-
sive righ of making gas from scosd II would,
however, be unJustihabie 10 expect me TO mako
an extended investigation 10 answer your re-
quest.
am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. Mason, Commissioner of Patents,
w. p. McCoSAELr, Esq,
Care Of Prof. c. g. Page, Washington, d. c.
The Uniied States Patent OToe--Ts al persons 70
,chon these presents shall come, gratinx:
This is TO 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 with
which application letters patent issued TO the
said W. b. 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 he hcreunto 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
States the seventy ninth. c. Mason.
Copy of disclaimer of W. d. Porter In his ayplsoa.
ron for "an improved strH for making GOOD
gas, pfLed Augna 5, 1854. Lners pafenf issred
Angna22, 1854
L do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz
subJecting the products Of destructive dstillation
therefrom 10 high degree Of heat, substs nfially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification Of w. p Mcconnell
The Unaed States Patent O6oe--T To all yeysons 10
,chom ths@presents shall come grestipg:
This is TO certify that the annexed is true copy
from the records OF this once OF an extract from
the specification of w. ID. Porter's patent, issued
in the twenty second day Of August, eighteen
hundred and hhy-fou
In testimony whereof l. Charles Mason, Com.
missioner of Patents, have caused the
seal Of the Patent 0f6ce to be hereunto
r, affixed this twentyifih day OF August,
u y in the year OF our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and fifty four, and OF the
independence Of the United States the
seventy G. Mason.
Eazraa from Specification of w. ID. Psrter on
,chieh letters patent srere issued Augna %, 1854.
CIAIm-What claim as my invention and de-
sire 10 secure by letters patent is.
1.-The construction Of gas apparatus or still,
co insisting OF a metallic or other cylinder b, the
cones E aud ID, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
+, substantially as described in the foregoing spe-
chcation, and shown in the accompanying draw
ings."
The truth ofthe above may be ascertained from
the records of the Patent Office, to which all have
access.
WIN. P. MCCONNELL
BY his attorney CHAS. O. PAGE.
ssDOOR,s RAILROAD MAP OF THE
UNITED STArEs.,-This celebrai
ted Map, recently eulogized by Lieutenant Mau
ry, in his "Virginia Letters is on sale at