Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-03-04
wooD GAs.--CAUTION.

- "
I'D tanned letters patent in December, 1851, for
an apparatus for the destructive distillation OF
wood, and the making thereirom OF tar or pitch al
pleasure, and gas and that in the Judgment oi
competent persons the invention Of an appar-
tus recently patented by w. ID. Porter cannot be
used by him or any other person witnout inlring-
ing my said patent. And, further, that what Is
patented by said Porter rightfuly belongs 10 me,
as expect TO prove ere long before the United
States Patent Office; and, further, that the oil
said Porter's invention involves also 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. d. Porter has formally disclaimed, as 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 Intelligence of the 25th instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the eexclusve right 10 making gas from
wood,o and threatens prosecution 10 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 movable perforated diaphragm, and was
80 understood by the Patent Office, as il appears
from the records of the Patent Office that his
claim was al 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
saving clause is what Mr. Porter calls securing
the "exclusve rigM 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 or right had been granted, il would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal manufactory
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:
UNITRS STATES PATENT OFFICE,
August IS, 1854.
S,v In ,I,, ~ l@ff. nf his Iof ski
/" if any patent has been granted to w. d. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1854, or al any other time, or
to any other person or persons, securing TO him
or them " the eseinsiue right Of making gas from
soood," and whether any such claim was made by
w. d. 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 mined 10 his appara-
tus; and, further, this Office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore Tor the e1clu-
sue right of making gas from aoo.d. II would,
however, be unJusliable 10 expect me 10 make
quest
am, respectfully your obedient servant,
c. MASON Commissioner of Patents,
w p. McCoaAELL, Esq,
Care Of Prof e.. G. Page, Washington, ID. q.
Tile Unned States Patent OGce-To all PERSONS 10
,ohom these presents shall come greiing:
This is to 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, III accordance with
which application letters patent were issued TO the
said w. ID. Porter on the 22d day OF August
eighteen hundred and ffiy-four.
In testimony whereof, /, Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents, have caused the seal
OF the Patent Office 10 be hereunto affixed
L. ST. this 25th day OF August, in the year Of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and ffty-
four, and of the Independence ofthe United
States the seventy Z. MASON.
Copy of disclaimer of w. d. Porter in his aYplica.
ton for "aa Improved stiH for making aoood
Amgaa22, 1854.
g. do not claim as my invention aud discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
subecting the products OF destructive dlstillation
theretrom 10 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 Ofos--1 To oil persons TO
Whom ttesepresents shall come creating:
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. Porter's patent issued
in the twenty second day OF August eighteen
hundred and ihy-fonr.
In testimony whereof, !, Charles Mason, Com
missioner of Patents, have caused the
seal OF the Patent Office TO be hereunto
affixed this twenty-ffth day OF August,
y q n the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and ffly -four, and OF the
Independence OF the United States the
seventy-ninth. G. Mason.
Eaaraet from Specification Of W. ID. Porter on
,ohich letters patent toere issued august q, 1884.
CLAlM.-What / claim my invention and de-
sire 10 secure by letters patent is:
"The construction OF a gas apparatus or still,
co insisting OF a metallic or other cylinder B, the
cones + and ID, diaphram plate G, and exit pipe
+, substantially as described in the foregoing spe-
cifcation, and shown in the accompanying draw
ings.n
The truth ofthe above may be ascertained from
the records Of the Patent Office, 10 which all have
access.
VIM r. MCCONNELL,
BY his attorney CHAS. G. PAGE