New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-03-14
DELAWARE-ITS ROWDER-MILLS.
Correspondence Of The N. Y. Tribune.
Wrurrcrnx Dol ThursdaY Feb. l.


your readers. Wilmington is situated on the confu
ence of the Brandywine and Christians Creeks, some
three or four miles from Delaware. 1t s built on
what might be termed succession of swells Of the
earth rather than hills which render it easy matter
TO keep clean streets. The citys supp led with water
from reservoir on the block bounded By Market,
King Ninth and Tenths,s. The water is pumped
from the Brandywine, about the third of mile dis
tanf. The principal streets are lighted with gas.
Wilmington, with its environs, IL rich in historic in
terst In the easferly part Of the city is situated
" The OH Swedes Church, building which, from
its antiquity, is much venera.ed by the citizens.
The cburch-tbe proper name Of which is Trinity
was built in 1898 by the Swedes, and i, has conse-
quently witnessed three political dynastcs. The
form of worship at the time Swedish Lutheran-a
form 80 nearly resembling the Protestant Episcopal
that in the gradual change Of the inhabitants to the
use of the one national language the Transmission of
the church was accomplished almost inpercephbly.
The growth of TIE city was away from the old church,
so that in 1929, chapel was erected on The corner
Of King and Fifth sts., where the greater part Of the
congregation worship.
Al the foo. of King or Market-st these streets
nj citing at the Brandy wine Bridge are si,usted the
famous Brandywine Mills, massive stone buildings,
whose style tes'ifes to their age. had no opportu-
nifty of visiting these mills, eight or ten in num-
ber but during ramble near them, was led TO in
fer that but little advantage is taken Of the march
of Improvement" At Chicago aud other places in
the Wet, say various contrivances for the rapid
unloading of wagons with wheat: Some 40 or 50
would be drawn no in line, each waiting ifs turn,
one then would be driven mp TO sort OF letier 10 the
side of the MILL and the bags empfled In this leader,
which conducted the grain 70 box or hopper, suii-
ci.uiy large TO bold a wsgon-load, when the grain
was weighed and credit given for as many bushels ~
would appear when the gross weight should be divided
by the lumber Of pounds agreed upon - make
busbel sixty pounds being the usual number; the
bottom of the hopper was then Withdrawn, aud by
the time another wagon was resdy 10 unlosi, the
hopper ready to receive lts contenfs-whlle tne
former load beiog carried 20 some fifth or sixth
lott by IT cans OF elevators. On the contrary at the
Brsndywne Mills, | saw wagons unloaded by emp
tying two or three sacks of grain into stout cask,
on small rollers, which was wheeled away a. soon a.
full and another put in its place-and 40, first one
ard then another, till the wagon WAS free. i saw
here also, the very oldfsshoned beam-scae IN use,
instead of the convenient platform scale. l make
these remarks in no derogatory mood These nils
are as they fitted up and answer every purpose;
the introduction of improvements until needed, AMI
| do not ray that necessary Improvements have not
been introduced) would be a useless expense. l
draw the parallel for the contrast between
things new and old
The BraDcywine is famous for having been the
scene of a Revolutionary struggle, and with manu-
facturers ard businessmen, on account of the
water. power il furnishes, both which ac-
counts found it highly interesting. The house is
still standing where Washington took breakfast on
the morning of the Battle of Brandy wi1e and where
be spoke words of cheer 10 his weary troops. Owing
TO the fancy which the of the sent owner took
10 my company, had the pleasure OF visiting this
house, and Of partakog Of refreshments in the same
room which served Washington II has in one cor.
ner large oldfa- bOned fire place. and a. that time,
TIE door opened directly into the through this
door large logs of cord wood being rolled a,requred,
and thence to the fire place. The whos appearance
Of the bouse shows s antiquity. lite quaint looks,
its Deedlesly strong hinges liz elaborate panelwo
all speak eloqueuty Ut olden times. | found the
present owner TO be an American gentleman of the
old school; while the good cheer received. and the
pleasure experienced in stay of nesrly two days.
proves that three. quarters of century had not
! chang the hospitality of the premises.
have spoken of the ws,er power furnished by the
Brandy wine. The poor stream Is tapped and re-
tapped for miles from the city, toward its source.
Stanoipg on the bridge at king-st, four be
seen-two on each tide of the creek while the bed
of the stream, even IN md-winter is nearly dry. On
following its banks dam after dam IL seen, till count
/ ing almost becomes labor Ga the Brandy vine are
situsied the powder mis-or, should prefer to say,
ysrds-of the Messrs Dupont and from its waters is
drawn the force required for their purposes In CON.
| psry with the young gentleman before spoken of,
visited these yards and through the civity of the
proprietors, received considerable insight into the
myteref of the manufacture of that fearful mighty,
utefu useless and queer invention GUsPowDER.
]
jet, and from what believe TO be the prevailing
| opinion, that shall attempt short description.
OF course, OF the details of the business Of the
Messrs Dupont, even if known TO me, | could make
DO NE nton unless by their consent; but the process
Of manufacture is in reality secret every book Of
| Chemistry treating Of il TO some extent. All know
that guDpowder is composed Of ssltpeter birthstone,
and charcoal though but few have any idea Of the
trouble al labor gone through 10 have these mate
rails in proper state, and of pro quality. The
saltpeter received at the ysrds, has the appear
aDce of dirty, sslt, filed with short hbrous
matter by process Of refining, two or three times
repeated il assumes the appearance somewhat of ine
table salt in which state it is 81! for the powder MILL
Great care is also tsken to have the sulphur pure
But the moot labor and forehought seem to be neces.
sary in procuring the charcoal, which is all made Of
the willow and poplsr. the former being used for the
best kinds Of powder. To procure supplies Of these
woods the pr0prieto,s set out yearly 10 every nook
and corner trees which headed down every three
year. and the brai ehes converted into charcoal. This
method OF procuring the wood gives a singular ap.
pearaDce TO the country; for, in many places along
sioe the roads, by the banks of the streams ms
be old tree trunks standing but little higher III s
man 8 head and topped only with bunch of small
| branches. | saw some trunks that appeared 10 be
40 or 20 years old. without a limb bigger than my
wrist.
The mill buildings in which the materials are
ground or mixed are scattered along the banks Of the
! stream: they small buildings each containing a
NIL. They are built Of stone three sides with heavy
walls, strengthened with piers, the other side fsciog
the stream of wood the roof also slopes toward the
stream. This plan of construction is 20 Lessen the
damage from explosions, for .houd an explosion
take place the force would all be diverted TO ward the
stream. The mills consist of two heavy iron rollers
| on wheels. moving lin trough. I saw one pair
esoh of vbich weighed Is 0O0 lbs. about seven tuns
The materials after being Well mixed up and puver-
lied in these mills, is slightly mostened when il is
pressed into cakes till t becomes almost as bard g
plaster OF paris these cakes then broken up into
email pieces and taken 70 the s!anula.ing mil "a
Operation which account Of its dancer I VA. not