The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-10
THE GUN-COTTON.

Mr.. Peter Won Schmidt, n Russian by birth, and
now resident of the United States, was polite
enough to show us, yesterday morning, some expe-
riments with cotton, which had been used Ave years
ago as port-fre in the Russian army. 1t appeared
like cotton made up in small balls. II exploded
either by applying spark to it, or a drop of con-
eentrated acid; but the combustion was not rs rapid
as gunpowder II gave out much smoke on its explo-
sion and left many stains white paper thus show
ing Mr.. Won s. remarked that the elements of the
combination were not properly united, or were not
in the proper proportion. 1t certainly was inferior
in its explosive qualities to the prepared cotton of
which we have lately heard such extra ordinary ac-
counts from Europe; but it first step in the
process, and prepared for believing the possib-
| ty of more perfect composition.
Within two hours after Mr. Won s. had left u.s.
we had the pleasure Of taking by the hand Mr. Rob-
ertson, our consul at Bremen, who brought with
him in the Britannia the packet which had been
made up by Professor Shonbein. 1t was to be
opened only by the President of the United States
and contained some of the prepared cotton.
Mr.. Robertson has returned to the United States,
full Of the experiments which he has seen in Eu-
rope, and deeply impressed with the importance of
the discovery which has been made Our own cor
respondent continues confirm the truth of the de-
scripton which he gave short time SINCE (and we
happy to see his letter generally circulated in the
newspapers;) and, in addition to this, we have been
favored with the following documents upon this sub
ject, from official quarters,) showing the materials
which enter into the composition. The cotton being
purer carbon, probably, than charcoal or sulphur,
and the nitrous acid furnishing theoxygen with more
rapdy than nitro ITSELF the materials are better cal
culated to generate more rapid and complete COM
bustion than the materials which enter into the COM
position Of gunpowder. .,..a' "r#
Extract from letter received in this city, dated
"BREMEN, Oct IL, 1886.
"The secret has been discovered by a celebrated
chemist, Professor Otto, of Brunswick and bv him
promulgated to the world. hasten to furnish vol,
with translations Of two publications which he has
Just made concerning 1t. Va
| "The gun-cotton can be prepared, under the ac-
| companying directions, by any apothecary who un-
derstands his avocation properly. Many expert
ments have been made with it in this CITY, and the
result uniformly has been such establish gene
raj confidence in its vast superiority over gunpow-
der--an estimation which, from the first, believed
it would attain" ssa"N
FROM the hanover gazette.
BRUsswioK, Oct S, 1886
Totally independent Of Shonbein and Botger, re-
lying on an observation Of Pelouce, which is
contained in my compendium of chemistry, frs,
volume, page 1885, have succeeded in preparing en-
pIoding cotton, which, after experiments made with
it, to be excellent substitute for gunpow- \
der. In order that the results of important dscove-
ries may be brought the highest degree Of perfec
ton, without unnecessary delay, appears to me to
be proper to give publicity to them Immediately, in
order that other scientific persons may occupy them
selves in making improvements upon such Inventions
therefore dlsdain tn sell ask patent for the
SELF the vast consequences Of which cannot yet be
calculated, and herewith give publicity to it for
the general use of the public:
For making exploding cotton the common we'll
cleaned staple must be dipped in highly concentrat-
ed acid of saltpetre, (the acid which use is made
by distllng ten parts dried satpetre and six parts
oil Of vitrio sulphuric acid, then it is put into
fresh water which il often changed, and care must
be taken to loosen thoroughly tho cotton, which,
| from the process, becomes matted; after which, il
must be well dried. Thus the exploding article is
| IN state OF preparation for the gun-barrel
The effects of this article sstonish every body who
Witnesses them. The smallest quantity explodcs
with the quckness Of Illuminating quicksil vsr-pow.
der, II struck with hammer on an anvil. If put
into gun, smaller quantity in weight will do as
| much execution as gunpowder II is used precise
~ IN me same manner as gunpowder--a piece Of
paper being necessary between il and the ball or
shot, as In ordinary firing. The ignition is always
certain from the explosion ofa percussion cap All
persons, without exception who have been present
at the exhibitions have made Of its properties,
were fully convinced Of ito Prac,icsbity. The es-