Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-01
WOOD GAs.-CAUTIoN.

DE II known that I, the subscriber OBJ :
I'D tanned letters patent in December, 1851, for
an apparatus for the destructive distillalion 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 or any other person without infring-
ing my said patent. And, further, that what IS
patented by said Porter rightfully belongs 10 me,
as | expect 10 prove ere long before the United
States Patent Office; and, further, that the Of
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. ID. Porter has formally disclaimed az ap-
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 Inteuigencer OF the 25th instant
Mr.. Porter announces that he has secured by
patent the exclusive right 10 making gas from
wood" aud 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 intmidate nnder
such circumstances? Mr.. Porter's claim is based
upon a 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 al first refused interfering with a
prior patent 10 Robert Fouls, of Canada, for an
equivalent contrivance. This claim, as given be-
low, and in which the perforated diaphragm is the
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 Office
If such claim or right had been granted, II would
forbid every coal-kiln and charcoal nannactory
IN the country.
The following copies of correspondence and
extracts from the records of the Patent Office will
show the true state of the case:
UNITED STATES PATKnT OFFICE,
August 25, 1854
SIR In reply TO your letter of this date, asking
if any patent has been granted to W. ID. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1854, or al any othek tlme or
TO any other person or persons, securing TO him
or them the exclusive right Of making gas from
rood 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. 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 eTein-
sipe right Of making gas from po-d II would,
however be uniusti6able 10 expect me TO make
an extended investigation TO answer your re-
quest.
am, respectfully, your obedient servant
G. MASON, Commissioner of Patents
w. p. McCoNAELL., Esq,
Care of Prof. c. G. Page, Washington, ID. G.
Tile United States Patent OEce-Io all persons 70
tohons these presents shall come, greting:
This is TO certify that the annexed is a 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 were issued to the
said w. ID. Porter on the 22d day OF August,
eighteen hundred and iity-iour.
In testimony whereof, Charles Mason, Com
missioner Of Patents, have caused the seal
OF the Patent Office TO he hereunto affixed
IL. s. this 25ih day of August, in the year OF our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty
four and of the independence OF the United
States the seventy-nintb. G. Mason.
Copy of disclaimer of w d. Porter in has appiiea.
ron for an improved stiH for making toood
gas, fled august S. 1854. Letters patent issued
August %, 1854.
g do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, viz:
sublecting the products of destructive dstillation
thereirom to a high degree of heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification of w. P. Mcconnell"
The Unired States Patent O6ee-To oil persons 10
tchoDa these presents shaH come greeting:
This is TO certify that the annexed is a 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 6fty-four.
In testimony whereof, !, Charles Mason, Com
missioner Of Patents, have caused the
seal of the Patent Office 10 be hereunto
:, affixed this twenty fifth day OF August,
'l n the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and 6fy-four, and OF the
independence OF the United States the
seventy ninth. G.. Mason.
Eaaraot from Specification Of w. ID. Psrsr
,olieh Ltters patenf tcere issued August %, 1854
CIAIM.-What claim as my invention and de-
sire 10 secure by letters patent is:
"The construction OF a gas apparatus or stli,
consisting Of metallic other cylinder b, the
cones z and ID, dsphram plate G, and exit pipe
F, substantially described in the foregoing spe-
cifcation and shown in the accompanying draw
ings."
the records Of the Patent Office, 10 which all have
access.
WIN. p. MCCONNELL.
BY his attorney CHAS. 9. PAGE.