Washington sentinel., 1856-04-05
WOOD GAs.-CAUTION.

ID tanned letters patent in December, 1851, for
apparatus for the destructive distation 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 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
patenlable the first inventor thereof, and which
said w. ID. Porter has formally discaimed, ss 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 Mteliigencer 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. l ask how this statement
comports with the fact of my patent OF December,
1851, and how far the threat can intimidate under
snch circum stances? Mr.. Porters claim is based
upon movable perforated diaphragm, and was
so understood by the Patent Office, as it appears
from the records of the Patent ONCE that his
claim al first refused as interfering with
prior patent 10 Robert Fouls, of Canada, for
equivalent contrvance. This claim, given 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 a libel on the good sense of the Patent Othce
II 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
UNiTEs STATES PATENT OFFICE,
August 25, 1854.
SIR In reply TO your letter of this date, asking
I. f any patent has been granted 10 w. ID. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1854, or at any other time, or
to any other person or persons, securing TO him
or them the egciusipe right Of making gas from
tcoodn and whether any such claim made by
w. ID. Porter, under his application for patent,
which letters patent We're 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
patent has been granted heretofore for the e1cia-
stce right Of making gas from acosd II would,
however, be unjnstiiabeto expect me to make
an extended investigation to answer your re-
quest.
am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
c. Mason, Commissioner OF Patents.
w. p McCoNAELL, Esq,
Care of Prof. G. G. Page, Washington, D. G.
TIE United States Patent OGee-To all parsons TO
1cton these presents shall come, greting:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is atrue 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 with
which application letters patent were issued to ths
said w. ID. Porter on the 22d day OF August,
eighteen hundred and fityfour.
In testimony whereof, |, Charles Mason, Com.
missioner of Patents, have caused the seal
OF the Patent Office 10 be hereunto affixed
II. ST. this 25th day of August, in the year OF our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and MY
four and of the independence OF the United
States the seventy ninth. G. MASON.
Copy of disclaimer of w. ID. Porter in has appttca.
tion for "an improved stM for making aoood
gas, fled August S, 1854. Letters patent issuHd
AugaSt %, 1854.
al do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, VIZ:
subjecting the products OF destructive distilauon
therefrom to high degree of heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification OF w. +. Mcdonnell
The United States Patent O6foc- To all persons 10
1ojtonl these presents shall come grseting:
This is 10 certify that the annexed is true copy
from the records of this office OF an extract from
the specification of W. d. Porter's patent, issued
in the twenty second day Of August, eighteen
hundred aud hfty-tour.
In testimony whereof, /, Charles Mason, Com
missioner OF Patents, have caused the
seal of the Patent Office TO be hereunto
affixed this twentyfhh day OF August,
Z 81 n the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and fifiy-four and OF the
independence of the United States the
seyenty-ninth G. MASON
E1,ract from Specification Of w. ID. Porter on
tcLich Letters patsnt toere issued august ~ 1854
CLAIM-What claim my invention and de-
sire TO secure by letters patent is:
"The construction of gas apparatus or still,
co sisting OF a metallic or other cylinder Is, the
cones L and ID, dlaphram plate Q, and ext pipe
+, substantially as described in the foregoing spe-
cfcation, and shown in the accompanying draw
lngs.n
The truth OF the above may be ascertained from
the records Of the Patent Office, TO which all have
access.
WIN. P. MCCONNELL,
BY his attorney CIIAS. 9. PAGE.