Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-08
COurier-J Journal.

ries than Kentucky politicians. AL
the cabinet officers tell excellent sto-
ries, Lincoln especially. he seems to
have inherited it. But about the best
story that was told on the whole trip
was one Of Colonel John Mason
Browns. IL was not a humorous
story, but relates to a bit Of secret war
history that is exceedingly interesting.
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 rebel
lion was being inaugurated, there was
great talk of the scarcity of ammuni
ton on the Union side. 1t was we'll
known that the war would be Titans
tic struggle, the Wrestle of giants, and
the materials of war were not so plen-
tiful as was necessary. One day the
brother Of Mr.. Bedemont DUPONT,
who now runs q great gunpowder
mandatory in Delaware, received a
message from Mr.. Seward, the Minis
ter Of War, to come Immediately to
Washington. The message was urgent,
the time critical, aud Mr.. Dupont
knew that it must be a grave matter;
he hurried on to Washington, and
Mr.. Seward held conversation with
him Immediately after he reached the
city.
"You know how tight we are for
articles of war" began the great min
lister; NOV | want you to start I'M
mediately for England and buy up all
the saltpeter in the European market.
The government has implicit conf
dence in you. We know your knowl-
edge of saltpeter, and that you are
able to buy better and cheaper than
any agent We aould send. Buy every
thing 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
be went ito the clearinghouse Of Brown,
Shipley & Co., with whom he trans
seted all his business. He told them
his object in coming there, and asked
them to advance him S2,5OO,0C9. The
head Of the firm was most polite, be
bowed to the ground. he smiled and
rubbed his hznds, 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.. Du-
POnt. but, etc, etc. Mr.. Dupont
failed 70 get the money. he posted
over to see George Peabody, the mil
lIOaAirs banker. Peabody listened to
hin With profound attention, inter.
rapiing nov aud them with shrewd
question. At length be said:
IF you will guarantee that the
gold viii Gene over by the nsxt
steamer | will advance you th,
money"
Mr.. DuPont Immediately started
out and bought up every pound of
ssltpstsr IN the market. He charter
ed a steamer. hired = crew and began
loading il BE vas just under good
hesdEay when suddenly an order came
from the foreign Office: Lord Palmer
ston torbids the shipping of the salt
peter" Mr.. Dupont was dunbfoun-
dsd, and hurried around to the |
Premier's office. Lord Palmston was
polite and afable, but firm. They |
we're munitions of var; they could |
not be shipped. 1t was in vain that
Mr.. Dupont showed his letters: in
vain that be told it was for his gov
eminent. Lord Palmerston was c0un
teous, but obstinate. Mr.. Dupont at
once set cut for home. leaving orders
with his men to watch the saltpeter
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 ali that it is
worth. Give this letter to Lord Pal
merston aud this open letter to our
Minister. Mr.. Adams"
Mr.. Dupont returned TO London; |
he sent his card to Palmerston. The
servant said he was engaged. Mr. |
DUPONT pushed By the servant-an
unheard of thing-and marched into
where the Premier sat, up to his eyes
10 papers.
"Ah, Mr.. Dupont. | am delighted
to see you, sir, said the pOlitest Of
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 letter Of |
Mr.. Seward-letters Of explanation
and Identification; they seemed TO have |
no effect
eMr. Seward has written this open
letter to our Minister. | suppose | am |
Of liberty to read it to you" aud Mr.. |
DUPONT slowly read the letter.
ITO Mr. ADAMS: On Lord Palmer
ston's refusal to let the saltpeter 20,
you are ordered to leave England in. |
stsntly, without presenting your re.
SpeOts to Her MsIeaty's government;
return to Washington, when war will |
Immediately be declared against En-
gland"
Without waiting for the dumb.
founded Premier to recover from his
surprise, Mr.. Dupont bid him polite
adieu and left. He drove to his hotel |
and ordered his breakfast. While he |
vas eating, in came a liveried and |
foOtman, saying: my Lord |
Falmerstop is ct the door waiting to
see YOU ip bis carriage" The hall |
was iull OF men, who were al agog at
once, wondering what diguitary This |
could be. Mr.. Dupont quietly replied: |
Tell his Lordship am eating NV
bresk fast, snd l will see him as soon
IS | have finished"
o,A buzz went sregAd the room.
who was this blarsted American
Who dared to make Englsud's Prime
Minister Wait7n Rut All. n 30