Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-31
WOOD GAS.-CAUTION.
n Knnxux, that tho 1..ho. :. N


I'D tanned letters patent in December, 1851, for
an apparatus for the destructive distillation 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 as
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 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, 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 I,atelligencer 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
such circumstances? Mr.. Porter's claim is based
upon movable perforated diaphragm, and was
so understood by the Patent Office, il appears
from the records of the Patent Office that his
claim was at first refused as interfering with
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 "cAcluslVt TlBut W NldhlHB gas lTOn WOOU
The statement carries absurdity on its front, and
is libel on the good sense OF the Patent Office
If such 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 case:
UNlTEB STATES PATENT OFFICE,
august 25, 1854.
SIR. In reply 10 your letter of this date, asking
if any patent has been granted TO w. ID. Porter,
dated 22d August, 1854, or al any other time, or
TO any other person or persons, securing TO him
or them "Me exclusive right Of making gas from
rood" 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. d. Porter's
claims are believed TO be mined to his appara-
tus; and, further, this Office is not aware that
patent has been granted heretofore for the erelu-
stue right Of making gas from acoSd. II would,
however, be unjustifabe TO expect me TO make
extended investigation to answer your re-
quest.
am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
c. Mason, Commissioner of Patents.
w. p. MCDONALD, Esq,
Care of Prof. c. G. Page, Washington, d. G.
The United States Patent O6ice-Io all persons to
zcAons these presents shall come grating:
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 were issued TO the
said w. ID. Porter 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 to be hereunto affixed
H. s.. this 25th 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 seventh ninth. y. MASON.
Copy of disclaimer Of w. d. Porter an has appiica.
tion for an improved stiu for making toood
gas nfled august 5, 1854. Letters patent issued
Augnt22, 1854.
al do not claim as my invention and discovery
the improvements in making gas from wood, VIZ
subjecing the products of destructive distaton
therefrom TO a high degree of heat, substantially
as has been described and for the purposes set
forth in the specification of w. p. Mcdonnell
The U,aited States Patent Ofoe-Io all persons 10
,chona these 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. Porers 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 10 be hereunto
affixed this twenty-ffth day OF August,
L 81 n the year Of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and fifty -four, and OF the
independence of the United States Inc
seventvninth G. Mason.
Ea4yact from Specification Of W. H. Porter on
,chich letters patent cere issued August y, 1884.
CIAIM-What claim my invention and de-
sire TO secure by letters patent is
The construction of a gas apparatus or stiii
consisting OF a metallic other cylinder Is, the
cones Z and ID, diaphram plate 9, aRd exit pipe
r substantially as described in the foregoing spe
cifcation, and shown in the accompanying draw
ings"
The truth ofthe above may be ascertaned from
The records of the Patent Office, TO which all have
VIM p. MCCONNELL,
BY his attorney CHAS. 9. PAGE.