Washington sentinel., 1856-03-29
WOOD GAs--CAUTION.

an apparatus for the destructive distlation ioi
wood and the making therefrom oftar pitch al
pleasure, and gas; and that in the judgment OF
competentI persons the invention OF an appar-
tus recently patented by w. d, Porter cannot be
used by him or any other person without infring-
ing my said patent. And, further, that what Is
putsHfed by said Porter rightfuly belongs TO me,
as expect TO prove ere long before the United
States Patent Office 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
patentabe to the first inventor thereof, and which
said w. D. Porter has formally discaimed, as APP
pears upon the public records of said Office, OF
which an official copy il hereto annexed, and also
In the National Intslhgsnoey Of the 25th instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the exclusive right TO making gas from
wood,n and threatens prosecution 70 all pa'tes
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 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 a
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
saving clause, is what Mr.. Porter calls securing
the exclusive right 10 making gas from wood"
The statement carries absurdity on its front, and
is libel on the good sense of the Patent Orhce
If such claim right had been granted, it would
forbid every coa-kn and charcoal manuiactory
IN the country. .A $50 .lDr
The following copies of correspondence and
extracts from the records of the Patent Office will
show the true state of the case: Sa .Ef.
g UMTED STATES PATENT OrFlcE, II
sa3at5 M#, as. 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
them at eercistsive right Of making gas from
soood" and whether any such claim was made by
W. ID. Porter, under his application for q patent,
which letters patent were issued bearing the
above date you are informed that w. d. Porter's
claims believed TO be mined TO his appara-
tus; and, further, this office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the szclu
SHE right of making gas from 1ooSd. II would
however, be unjustiiable to expect me 10 make
an extended Investigation to answer your re-
quest.
am, respectfully, your obedien, servant,
G. Mason, Commissioner of Patents.
w P. MoCoNAELL, Esq,
Care of Prof G.. G. Page, Washington, ID. G.
TIE United States Patent OEce-To all persons 10
aohon. these presents shall come, grating:
This is TO certify that the annexed is irne 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 TO the
said w. ID. 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 ffty-
four, and of the Independence OF the United
States the seventy-nInth. z. Mason.
Copy of disclaimer of w ID. Porter his appiica.
tio,r for an improved sfiH for making toood
gas filed August s, 1854. Letters patent lssned
Augnst %, 1854. .'
Il do not claim my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, VIZ !:
subjecling the products Of destructive distauon
theretrom TO a high degree OF heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification of w. 2. Mcconnell"
TA1 Unrsed ,States Patent Ofce-To all PERSONS 10
tohon, tAesepresents shall como 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. ID. Poner's patent, issued
in the twenty second day of August, eighteen
hundred and ihy -four. -.
la testimony whereof, l. Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents, have caused the
seal of the Patent Office TO be hereunto
affixed thus twenty fifth day OF August,
u n the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ffiy-four, and OF the
Independence of the United States the
scventy-ninth. u MASON.
Erprao from Specification Of w. ID. Porter on
Dltieh letters patent issned August 22, 1854.
CLAIM-What claim as my invention and de-
sire 10 secure by letters patent is:
"The construction of a gas apparatus or sui,
consisting OF a metallic or other cylinder b, the
cones and ID, disphram plate G, and exit pipe
F, substantially described in the foregoing spe-
ci6cation, and shown in the accompanying draw
ngs.n
The truth ofthe above may be ascertained from
the records Of the Patent Office TO which all have
access.
WIN. p. MCCONNELL,
Rv his attorney CHAS. @. PAGE.