The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-11-07

the slightest stain upon the snow white
sheet of foolscap; while the ignition of
the gunpowder seemed to be slow, al
though Of the best quality, by which
the paper was burnt and colored, and
the room filled with smoke. He then
took small quantity Of gunpowder
and placing itupon paper. entirely y COW
cred it with prepared cotton from the
other paper. Touching the cotton
with the blaze of a match, it exploded
without burning the gunpowder! Sub
sequently,.at my apartments, he explo-
ded cotton upon the palm of my hand.
without my feeling the sensation of
heat, such was the remarkable rapIdity
of its igniting. saH8 tc
A short time, it is stated by the in
ventors, is only required for the prep
aration of the article, and the process
is SO exceedingly simple that 1t can be
manufactured by common laborers,and
without any danger whatever of com.
bustion. 1t can be fit for use in few
hours after the cotton is taken from the
bale, and without the aid of machinery;
and it may be thoroughly saturated
with water without affecting its prop.
erties lnjuriously. As soon as re-dried,
it is again fit for use. There is nothing
to, apprehend from its spontaneous
combustion, nor Wilt ignite by fric-
ton in its transportation, or in the load
ing of firearms, or become infamed
under a temperature of 200 degrees
Clesius. 1t will catch fire, either from
blaze or spark.
The fact has been ascertained from
repeated experiments, that the forty
eighth part Of an ounce of the prepared
cotton, will propel a bullet from an
American rifle as far and as fast as the
t,oeyth part of an ounce of gunpowder.
The sixteenth part of an ounce will
drive a three-quarter ounce ball dis
tance OF sixteen hundred paces More
over, the barrel never requires clean
ing. Forty shots without intermission
have been made. and without any per-
ceptible accumulation of filth, while
the gun was throughout entirely free
from heat. in firing 3-pounder, the
result was the same in this respect
The experiments in blasting rocks with
prepared cotton have also been eml.
nently successful. AT. Basle a large
block of granite 24o cubic feet, was
blown up by four ounces, which could
not have been effected with less than
two pounds Of superior gunpowder.
Last week the power Of the article
was tested at a meeting Of the "Bri.
tish Scientific Association"--an associ-
ation composed of the most profoundly
learned individuals in Europe-and
they were amazed with what was ac-
compIished. SRI. Herschel took oc.
casion to remark, Professor Schonbein
being present, that "the discovery in
the next generation might arm man
kind with the widest powers. The
inventor was a Titan who could tear
up the rocks, and almost call down The
lightnings. -
understand that 1876 lbs. of cotton
in the state in which it is found in the
bale, when properly prepared, will
weigh 165 lbs, and that even here,
where the staple is much dearer than
in the United States, the article will
cost considerably less than gunpowder.
What the other materials are, used in
the manufacture, will of course remain
a secret until patents are secured
among the various nations. One has
already been taken out for Great Bri
tain; and the States of the Germanlc
confederation have, through the Diet,
consented TO give 100000 florins mere
ly for the right of preparing it for the
army, provided commission, which
has been instituted to test it in every
conceivable way, shall report favera
bly,. This experiment will be made a
Mayence in few days. ,.., al
The proportion Of the ingredients ir
gunpowder necessarily vary 10 a con
siderable degree; but that of go cd quail
lily may be composed of 76 parts of nj
tire, l5 of charcoal, and 8 OF sulphur
So that we aredependent upon foreign
countries for eighty-fve hundredths Q
| the materials used in the manufacture
of all the gunpowder we me!-;
fact which is not generally nor sufi
ciently known by our countrymen. =
| BY the vigilance of that sterling patri
OF and faithful officer, Col. Talcott, o
the Ordnance Department, who, yea
+ after year, acting upon the principle
Sin peace prepare for war;" has beef
has been accumulating a stock Of salt
petre, we are happily prepared with al
abundance Of the material 10 carry u
through a long and arduous contest
| ebonld I'VE ever ha invclved in one