Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-11-01
WOOD GAS.-CAUTION.

WOOD GAS.-CAUTION.
DE II known that 1, the subscriber OBJ
ID tanned letters patent in December, 1881, for
an apparatus for the destructive distillation 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. d. Porter cannot be
used by him or any other person without intrng
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 of
said Porter's invention involves also process
which am now claiming before the United States
Patent Office and which has been adiudged to be
patentabe 10 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 official copy is hereto annexed, and also
a copy of his claims.
In the National Iateligenosr of the 25th instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the Exclusive right TO making gas from
wood" and threatens prosecution 10 all parties
infringing his patent. | ask how this statement
comports with the fact of my patent Of December,
1851 and how far the threat can intmdate 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 al first refused interfering with
prior patent Robert Fouls, Of Canada, for an
equivalent contrivance. This claim, "a given be-
low, aud 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 It's 'front.' and
libel on the good sense OF the Patent ONCE
Ifsuch claim or right had been granted il would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal manuiactory
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
UN1rEB STATES PATENT OFFICE,
August IS, 1854.
SIR. In reply TO your letter OF this date, asking
" if any patent has been granted 10 W -. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1854, or at any other time, or
TO any other person or persons, securing 10 him
or them " the exclusive right Of making gas from
7cood" aud 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 10 be Mined 10 his appara-
tus and, further, this Office is not aware that a
patent has been granted heretofore Tor the ercla.-
sipe right of making gas from r01d II would,
however, be unjust6able TO expect me TO make
an extended investigation 10 answer your re-
quest.
| nm, respectfully your obedient servant,
G. Mason Commissioner Of Patents.
w. p. MCDONALD ESQ.,
Care Of Prof C, G. Page, Washington D. C.
The United States Patent OGes-To all persons to
schoD. these presents shall come, grefimg:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is atrue copy
from the files of this Office Of extract from
paper filed in the matter of the Application Of w.
ID, Porter for letters patent, in accordance with
which application letters patent were issued 10 the
said W. d. 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 10 be hereunto affixed
IL. ST. 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-nIntb. O. Mason.
Copy of disclaimer Of w. d. Porter IN has appliea.
fion for "an improved stiH for making toood
gas" fled august 5, 1854. Letters patent issued
August %, 1854.
al do not claim my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
subiecting the products of destructive distiation
therefrom 10 a high degree Of heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification of w. p. Mcconnell"
THs Uuited States Patent O6foe-To all persons 10
tchopa these presents shall come greetiHg:
This is TO certify that the annexed is a true copy
from the records ofth 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 /, Charles Mason, Com
missioner Of Patents, have caused the
seal OF the Patent Office 10 be hereunto
IT, 81 ,ss vaar oe anr Lord ope ,bousand
eight hundred and ffty-four, and OF the
independence Of the United States the
seventy-ninth. G. Mason.
Eztraoi from Specification of. w. ID. Porter
tchieh htters pate,t tcere issued August %, 1854
CLATM.-What claim my invention and de-
sire 10 secure by letters patent is
"The construction of a gas apparatus or still,
consisting OF a metallic or other cylinder B, the
cones and d, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
F, substantially as described in the foregoing spe
c6cation, and shown in the accompanying draw
ings.n
The truth ofthe above may be sscertsined from
the records OF the Patent Office, TO which all have
access.
WIN. p. MCCONNELL,
D.,