Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-15

Y
ID tanned letters patent in December, 1851 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. ID. 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,
as expect to 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
patentable 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
copy Of his claims.
In the National Iatelhgenoey 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. ! 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 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 to making gas from wood"
The statement carries absurdity on its front, and
is a libel on the good sense Of the Patent Office
lfsuch claim or night had been granted, il would
forbid every coal-kn 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:
UNlTED STATES PATENT UfFlcK,
August 25, 1854.
SIR. In reply to your letter of this date, asking
"if any patent has been granted to w. u. Porter
dated 22d August, 1854, or at any other time, or
to any other person or persons, securing to him
or them " tho erclusive right of making gas from
soood," 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 10 his appara-
tus; and, further, this Office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the egclu-
ssue right Of making gas from acosd II would,
however, be unjustifable to expect me TO make
an extended investigation to answer your re-
quest.
am respectfully, your obedient servant,
@. MASON, Commissioner of Patents.
w. P. MCDONALD, Esq,
Care of Prof G. G. Page, Washington, d. G.
Tie United States Patent O6fce-To all persons to
vhonp these presents shall come, greting
This is TO certify that the annexed is atrue copy
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 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 to be hereunto affixed
H. 81 this 25th day of August in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty
four, and of the independence fthe United
tataz he
Copy of disclaimer of w. ID. Porter IN has appica.
tion for an improved stiH for making toood
gas" filed Amgust S, 1854. Letters patent ISSUED
Amgxa22, 1854.
al do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
subjecting the products of destructive distlation
therefrom TO a high degree of heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification Of w. p. Mcconnell"
The Uniled States Patent Ofce-To all persons to
fchom these presents 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. Porters 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 to be hereunto
:, :, affixed this twenty-6fth day OF August,
d n the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ifty-four, and OF the
independence of the United States the
seventy~ninth. G. MASON.
Earraet from Specification Of w. d. Porter on
rchioh letters patent scere issued Augua %, 1854.
CLAIM-What claim my invention and de-
sire to secure by letters patent is
"The construction of a gas apparatus or STILL
consisting Of metallic or other cylinder b. the
cones and ID, diaphram plate @, and exit pipe
F, substantially as described in the foregoing spe
cifcation, and shown in the accompanying draw
ngsn
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. @. PAGE.