The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-07
MIR. SCENARIOS BLUFF.

Louisville Courier-Journal,

lent stories, Lincoln especially. He seems
to have inherited 1t. But about the best
story that was told on the whole trip was
one of Colonel John Mason Browns. 1t was
not humorous story, but relates to bit OF
secret war history that is exceedingly inter
esting. 1t is Vouched for by Colonel Brown.
The story runs as follows:
1t may be remembered that about 1860 and
1861, just as the great rebellion was being
inaugurated, there was great talk of the
scarcity of ammunition on the Union side
1t was we'll known that the war would he
a Titantic struggle, the wrestle OF giants
and the materials of war were not
so plentiful as was nece, sary. One day
the brother of Mr. Bedemont DUPONT, who
now runs a great gunpowder mandatory in
Delaware, received a message from Mr.. Sew
ard, the minister OF war, TO come immedi-
ately to Washington, The message was ur-
gent the time critical and Mr.. Dupont
knew it must be a grave natter so he hUr-
ried on to Washington, and Mr.. Seward held
a conversation with him Immediately after
he reached the city.
You know how tight we are for articles of
war" began the great minister; now, want
you to start Immediately for England and
| buy up all the saltpeter in the European
market The government has implicit conf
| dence in you. We know your kowledge OF
saltpeter, and that you are able to buy better
| and cheaper than any agent we could send.
| Buy everything up-the gold will follow you
| on the next steamer"
| Mr.. DUPONT hurried off to New York and
caught the first Liverpool steamer. When
| he arrived in England he went to the bank
ing-house of Brown. Shipley & Co., with
| whom he transacted all his business. He
| told them his object in coming there, and
asked them to advance him $2500000. The
head of the firm was most polite, he bowed
| to the ground, he smiled and rubbed his
| hands, but really the sum was so large, and
really they could not afford to give it. They
would like the best in the world to oblige
| Mr. DUPONT, but, ETC., etc. Mr. DUPONT
| failed to get the money. He posted over to
see George Peabody, the millionaire banker.
Peabody listened to him with profound at
| tentOn, interrupung now and then with
shrewd question. At length he said:
If you will guarantee that the gold will
| come over by the next steamer | will adj
vance you the money"
| Mr. DUPONT Immediately started out and
bought up every pound of saltpeter in the
| market He chartered a steamer, hired a
crew, and began loading it, He was just
under good Roadway when suddenly an or
| der came from the foreign office: Lord
Palmerston forbids the shipping of the salt
peter" Mr. DUPONT was dumfounded,
and hurried around to the Fremiers Office.
Lord Palmerston was polite and affable, but
firm. They were munitions of war; they
couldn't be shipped. 1t was in vain that
Mr.. DUPONT showed his letters; in vain that
be told it was for his government Lord
Palmerston was courteous but obstinate.
Mr.. DUPONT at once set out for home leav
ing orders with his men to watch the salt
peter. He fastened to see Seward, and told
him ALL
There is only one way to do this thing"
said Mr.. Seward, I'VE must play the bluff
game for all that it's worth. Give these let
tiers to Lord Palmerston and this open letter
to our minister, Mr.. Adams" Mr.. DUPONT
returned to London. He sent his card to
Palmerston, The servant said he was en-
gagged Mr.. DUPONT pushed by the servant
an uuheard of thing-and marched in to
where the Premier sat, up to his eyes in pa
pers.
"Ah, Mr. DUPONT, l am delighted to see
you sir" said the politest of politicians. You
have doubtless come about that saltpeter
matter. Well, sir, am sorry to say that the
government has seen no cause to change its
opinion" Mr.. Dupont handed the letters OF
Mr.. Seward-letters of explanation and
Identification. They seemed to have no eff
feet.
Mr. Seward has written this open letter to
our minister | suppose | am at liberty to
read it to you, and Mr.. DUPONT slowly read
the letter;
To Mr.. Adams: On Lord Palmerston's refus
| ing to let the saltpeter go, you are ordered to
| leave England instantly, without presenting
your respects to ner Majesty's government; re-
| turn to Washington, when war will imme dately
be declared against England.
| Without waiting for the dumfounded
Premier to recover from his surprise, Mr..
| DUPONT babe him polite adieu and left. He
drove to his hotel and ordered his breakfast.
| While he was eating, in came lveried and
powdered footman, saying: "My Lord
| Palmerston is at the door waiting to see you
in his carriage" The hall was full of men,
who were all agog at once, wondering what
dignitary this could be. Mr.. DUPONT quiet
| ly replied: Tell his Lordship l am eating
my breakfast and | will see him as soon as
| have finished"
A buzz went arouul the room. "Who was
this blarsted American who dared to make
highlands Prime Minister wat?' But Mr..
| DUPONT was playing a bluff game, and he
| PLAYED it for all it was worth. He was near
iy through his dinner, but took another bot
| tie of wine to keep Palmerston waiting.
| Presently he sent out note telling the
| great Englshman he was ready to see him.
| Palmerston came in and said:
| "Mr. DUPONT the government has changed
| its mind. You can ship your saltpeter. Come
| up to the Foreign Office tomorrow and get
an order"
81 want an order right now" and down
sat the premier at the breakfast table and
wrote the order. That night the packing be-
gan, and the next day the vessel was under
way for New York?
Mr. DUPONT picked up the Times the next
morning. 1t had been recommending that
the saltpeter be detained all along but there
| in the first column, was an editorial fayoring
its being allowed to go. Mr.. DUPONT. went
down to Brown, Shipley e. Co. They had
heard of the vessel being Detained in fact,
every body was talking about it.
81 am sorry you can't get your stuff off,"
said Mr.. Shipley, stuffy old man, subject to
| fits.
But 1 have gotten it off," said Mr. Du-