Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-31
MistfIlamkgns.
WOOD GAs.-CAUTION.

TIE II known that L, the subscriber OBJ
u tanned letters patent in December, 1851, for
an apparatus for the destructive dIstlllation OF
wood, and the making hereirom 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. 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 rightlully belongs TO me,
as EXPECT % prove ere long before the United
States Patent Ofice and, further, that the use Of
said Porters invention involves also process
which am now claiming before the United States
Patent Office, and which has been adJudged 10 be
patentable 10 the first inventor thereof, and which
said WE Porter has formally dsclaimed, as aP.
pears upon the public records OF said ofice, OF
which an official copy is hereto annexed, and also
a copy of his claims.
In the National I,.teligeneer of the 25th instant
Mr.. Porter announces that be has secused by
patent the exclusive right to making gas from
wood,n 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.. Porter's claim 10 based
upon 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 as interfering with
prior patent to Robert FOULS, Of Canada, for an
equivalent contrivance. This claim, as gwen be.
low, and in which the perforated diaphragm IS the
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 Ottce.
If such claim or right had been granted it would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal mandatory
in the country.
The following copies of correspondence and
extracts from the records OF the Patent Ofce will
show the true state of the case:
UNITED STATRs PATENT OFFICE,
august 25, 1854
SIR. In reply to your letter Of this date asking
"if any patent has been granted TO w. d. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1854, or at any other time, or
to any other person or persons, securing TO him
or them The e1ciusiye right Of making gas from
acood," 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. d. 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 ezcln-
sape right of making gas from scoSd II would,
however, be unjustifabe TO expect me TO make
extended investigation TO answer your re-
quest.
am, respectfully, your obedent servant,
c. Mason, Commissioner of Patents.
w. P. McCoNAKLL, ESQ.,,
Care of Prof. C. G. Page, Washington, D. G.
The United States Patent OFce-To all persons to
aciont these presents shall come, grating:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is a true copy
from the files OF this office Of an extract from
paper filed in the matter of the application OF w
ID. Porter for letters patent, IN accordance win
which application letters patent were issued TO the
said w. ID. Porter on the 22d day OF August
eighteen hundred and fifty-four.
In testimony whereof L. Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents, have caused the seal
of the Patent Office to be hereunto affixed
f.. s. this 25ih day Of August, in the year Of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty
f,ur and If he indenendence of The United
States the seveniy-nintb. G. MASON
Copy of disclaimer Of W. d. Porter in his applica.
ron for Gan Improved stall for waking scood
gas, "fsd august 5, 1854 Letters patent iss'ted
Angnst2 %, 1854.
81 do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz
subjectins the products of destructive distillaton
therefrom 10 a high degree OF heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification Of w. 2. Mcconnell"
TIE United States Patent Ofce-To all persons to
tchom these presents shall come greeting:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is a true copy
from the records of this Office of an extract from
the specification of w. d. Porter's patent, issued
on the twenty second 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 10 be hereunto
r, affixed this twenty-hfth day oil August,
IT, o. in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and fifty -four, and OF the
independence of the United States the
seventy-nnth. G. MASON
Eztracf from Specification Of w. ID. Psre, on
1ohieh letters patent pere Issued august %, 1854.
CLAIM.-What claim as my invention and de-
sire TO secure by letters patent Is:
"The construction Of a gas apparatus or still,
co onsisting OF metallic or other cylinder B, the
cones f and ID, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
F, substantially described in the foregoing spe
ci6cation, 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. g. PAGE.
CCOTT,s WEEKLY PAPER.--The pub