Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-11-22
WOOD GAs.-CAUTIoN.

II y
D tanned letters patent in December, 1851 Tor
an apparatus for the destructive dstillation OF
wood, and the making therefrom of tar pitch al
pleasure, and gas; and that in the Judgment OF
competent persons the invention of appar-
us 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 rghtfully belongs 10 me-
as expect 10 prove ere long before the United
States Patent Office; and, further that the use of
said Porters invention involves also process
which am claiming before the United States
Patent Office, and which has been adjudged TO be
patentable TO the first inventor thereof aud which
said W.D. Porter has formally discaimed as ap-
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 htslligencer 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. Porters claim is based
upon movable perforated diaphragm, and was
40 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 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 libel on the good sense Of the Patent Ohce
If such claim right had been granted, it would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal manuiactory
~ the country.
The following copies of correspondence and
extracts from the records OF the Patent Office will
show the true state of the
UYITRs STATES PATENT OFFICE,
Angna 25 1854.
SIR In reply TO your letter Of tins date, asking
:. If any patent has been granted 10 w. ID. Porter
dated 22d August, 1854, or at any other time,
TO any other person or persons securing 10 him
them tie sariltsiUe right of making gas from
aooodn and whether any such claim 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 believed to be Mined 10 his appara-
tus; and further, this Office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore tor the ezclu
stpe right Of making gas from ,ro.d II would
however be unjustifabe TO expect me 10 make
an extended investigation TO answer your re-
quest.
am, especially, your obedent servant,
c. MASON, Commissioner OF Patents.
w. T. McCoNAELI, Esq,
Care Of Prof. G. @. Page. Washington, ID. G.
Tie United States Patent OGce-To all persons 10
noaom nisss press,ts shall come greting
This is To certify that the annexed is true copy
from the files of this Office OF extract from
paper filed in the matter of the application OF w.
d. Porter for letters patent, in accordance with
which application letters patent issued TO the
said w. ID. Porter on the 22d day Of August
eighteen hundred and fifiy-four.
Ia testimony whereof Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents have caused the seal
of The Patent Office 10 be hereunto affixed
IL. s. this 25ih day of August, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and 6iy
four, and of the independence of the United
States the seventy-nlntb. @. Mason
Copy Of disclaimer of w. ID. Porter IN has appica.
tion for "an improved riH for making toood
gas FLED August 5, 1854. Letters patent ISSUED
AngnSt22, 1854.
a do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
subjecting the products Of destructive distllation
therefrom 10 a high degree Of heat, substantially
has been described and for the purposes SET
forth in the specification Of w. P. Mcconnell"
The Untied States Patent Once-To all perS0Hs 10
tchoru hesep 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-6flh day OF August
- n the year Of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and fifty -four, and OF the
independence Of the United States the
seventy-ninth G. Mason.
Ezarao from Specification Of W. d. Porter on
which letters patent toere issued Angua %, 1854.
CLAM.-What claim as my invention and de-
sire 10 secure by letters patent is
The construction of a gas apparatus or STILL
consisting Of a metallic other cylinder h, the
cones Z and ID, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
+, substantially as described in the foregoing spe
cihcaton, and shown in the accompanying draw
ings"
The truth ofthe above may be ascertained from
the records Of the Patent Office, 10 which all have
access.
WIN. r. MCCONNELL,
BY his attorney CHAS. @. PAGE.