Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-10-09
WOOD GAS.-CAUTION.

I'D tanned letters patent in December, 1851, foI
| an apparatus for the destructive distllaton o
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-
tns recently patented by w. ID. Porter cannot be
used by him or any other person without infrng-
ing my said patent. And, further, that what IS
patented by said Porter rghtfully belongs 10 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 a 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 dsclaimed, 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 Iateligencer 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. | ask how this statement
comports with the fact of my patent OF December,
1851 and how far the threat can intimidate under
such circumstancesa Mr.. Porters claim is based
upon a movable perforated diaphragm, and was
so understood by the Patent Office, il 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 contrvance. This claim, given be-
low and in which the perforated diaphragm is the
saving clause is what Mr.. Porter calls securing
the "excusive right 10 making gas from wood. "
The statement carries absurdity on its front, and
is libel on the good sense of the Patent Office
If such a claim or 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 Office will
show the true state of the ease:
UNIrES 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 or persons, securing TO him
them g tie eaclnsive 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 C mined to his appara-
tus; and, further this office is not aware that a
patent has been granted heretofore for the eIclA-
sspe right Of making gas from aoosd. IL would,
however, be unjustifabe TO expect me TO make
extended investigation 10 answer your re-
quest.
| am respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. MASON, Commissioner OF Patents
w. p. MCDONALD, Esq,
Care of Prof. G. 6. Page, Washington, ID. G.
TIE United States Patent O6foe-Io all persons TO
achon these presents shall come, grating:
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 were issued TO the
said w. d. 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 10 be hereunto affixed
H. s.. this 25lh 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-nlntb, T.. MASON.
Copy Of disclaimer Of w. d. Porter us has appiiea.
fton for san improved stiH for making scoosi
gas filed August 5, 1854. Letters patent ISSUED
AugnSt22, 1854.
- do not claim my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, VIZ
subjecting the products of destructive distiation
therefrom TO a high degree of heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes sci
forth in the specification of w. P. Mcconnell"
TIE Untsed States Patent Office To all persons 10
tchopu these presents shall come greeting
This is 10 certify that the annexed is a true copy
from the records Of this Office of 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
affixed this twenty fifth day OF August,
q the year Of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ffy-four, and OF the
Independence Of the United States the
seventy ninth q. MASON.
Eg1ract from Specification oC w. ID. Porter on
thich Ltisrs patent aoere issued AHgua p, 1854
CLAIN-What claim as my invention and de-
sire 10 secure by letters patent is:
The construction of gas apparatus or still,
consisting OF metallic or other cylinder b, the
cones and ID, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
f. substantially described in the foregoing spe-
cifcaton, 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. p. MCCONNELL
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