The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-10-03
sEwARD's BLUFF.

Louisville Courier Journal We Will
not be expected 10 vouch for its truth
Some good stories we're told on the
train that bore President Arthur TO this
city. Politicians American politicians
1t least are proverbiaIly good story
teliers. and none tell better stories than
Kentucky politicians. All the cabinet
officers felI excellent stories, Lincoln
especially. He seems 70 have inherited
it. But about the best sUory that was
told on the whole trip was one OF l0l-
John Mason Browns. 1t was not .
humorous story, but relates to bit OF
secret war history that is exceedingly
interesting. 1t IS v0lched for by tol
Brown. The story runs as follows:
1t may he remembered that about
1860 and 1861, Just as the great rebel
lion was being inaugurated, there was
great talk Of the scarcity OF anlmuni-
ton on the union side. Il was well
known that the war would be Titantlc
struggle, the wrestle of giants, and the
materials Of war were not SO plentiful
As were necessary One day the brother
of Mr.. Bedemont DUPONT, who now runs
a great gunpowder mannfactory in Dela-
ware, received message from Mr.. Sew
ard. the minister Of war, to come immc
diately to Washington. The message
was urgent, the time critical and Mr.
Dupont knew that it must be a grave
matter; he hurried on to Washington,
and Mr.. Seward held a conversation
with him Immediately after he reached
the city.
sYou know how tight we are for ar
tieles of war;" began the great minister;
''now want you to start Immediately
for England and buy up all the salt
petre in the European market. The
government has implicit confidence In
YOU. We know your knowledge OF salt
petre, and that you are able to buy bet.
ter 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 banking house of Brown, ship
lev & Co. with whom he transacted all
his business. He told them his object
i, coming there, and asked them to ad-
vance him 81. 100000. The head OF the
firm was most polite; he bowed to the
ground. he smiled and rubbed his hand,
but really the sum was so large, ana
really they could not afford to give it,
They would like the best in the world
to oblige Mr.. DUPONT, 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 attention, inter
rupting now and then with shrewd
s.,o,t;0,, = lnnUth hp said
"If YOU will guarantee that the gold
will come over by the next steamer
| will advance you the money.
Mr.. DUPONT Immediately started out
and bought up every pound Of salt
petre in the market. He chartered q
steamer, hired crew and began loading
it. He was Just under good headway
when suddenly an order came from the
foreign office: "Lord Palmerston Tor
bids the shipping of the saltpetre. Mr.;
| Dupont was dumfounded, and hurried
| around to the premier's office. Lord
Palmerston was polite and afable, but
/ firm. They were munitions of war
! they couldn't be shipped. 1t was IL
vain that Mr.. DUPONT showed his let
ters: in vain that lie told it was his gov
ernment. Lord Palmerston was courte
ous hut obstinate. Mr.. DUPONT ut ono,
set out for home, leaving orders Wit
his men to watch the saltpetre. III
hastened to see Seward and told him all
s'There is only one way to do thl
thing. said Mr.. Seward, "wemustplay tn
bluff game for all that its worth. Civ
these letters to Lord Palmerston ana NJ
open letter to our minister, Mr.. Adams.
, Mr.. DUPONT returned to London, d
sent his card to Palmerston. Mr. pt
9 Pont pushed by the servant-an III
t heard of thing-a marched int
: where the premier sat, up to his eyes
: dAh Mr.. DUPONT, I am delighted
r see YOU, sir," said the politest OF pol
s ticians. You have doubtless con
: about that saltpetre matter. Well, 81
# | am sorry TO say that the governmel
It has seen no cause to change its opinion
e Mr.. DUPONT handed the letters OF N
IS Seward-letters Of explanation and lde
t tifcation. They seemed to have
e effect. ~,
n, aMr. Seward has written this OPP
" letter to our minister. l suppose 9
at liberty to read it to you" and n
m Du-Pont slowly read the letter:
ct aTo Mr.. Adams-On Lord Palm'
ay ston's refusing to let the saltpetre
OF YOU are ordered to leave England
re stantly, without presenting your respe'
x to her majesty's government; Fetufn
We Washington, when war will immediate
80. he declared against England.
in Without waiting for the dumb-foul
ed cd nremier to recover from his surpri
of MFR Dupont bade HIN a polite ad
nd and left. He drove to his hotel and
gh dered his breakfast. While he was {
tn. mo in came a liveried and Powde
ms feotman, saying Ny Lord Palmers
;s at the door. waiting to see you IN
in carriaoe.o The hall was full OF m
RS, who were all agog at once, wonder
use What dienatary this could be. Mr..
lde Pont quietly replied Tell his lords
er- am eating my breakfast, and viii
rea him a. soon as / have finished
ged 4 bnzz went around the room. y
tn was this blasted American who dare
ats. make Englands prime minister wa
ave Rnt Mr.. Dupont was playing
uld game. and he played it for all 1t
es- syorth | He was nearly through his
the ner. but took another bottle of WIN
the keep Palmerston waiting. Presently
5 at sent out q note, telling the great !
ned Ishman he was ready to see him.
gor- merston came in and said:
en- Mr.. Dupont, the government
ssed changed its mind. You can ship
at saltpetre. Come up to the foreign Q
ling to.morrow and get an order,
ros- sI want an order right now, !,
ring down sat the premier at the breal
!, or table and wrote the order. That n
: re- the packing began, and the nevt day
,eni- vessel . was under way for New 1ori
. the Nr. DUPONT picked up the Time
ties; next morning. 1t had been recomn
leri- inc that the saltpetre he detalnet
con- aIonc. but there. in the first coll
4 Of vas m editorial favoring its belT
L to lowed to 90. Mr.. DUPONT went
more 81 Brown. Shipley 4 Co. Ihey
same beard Of the vessel being detaine.
have fact. everybody was talking about
fitted II am sorry you can't get your
pub OFF, said Mr.. Shipley, statiy OLD
b es- snb;ect "a fits.
sper- saels but I / have M gotten it off, SAT
oftn- DUPONT.
pears The nld fellow stared at him inc
. the lously. Where did you get yos
/ has .gs.,; .l'o~;,vq,
s.From Lord Palmerston; he wro
arder himself. This was too
TIE fellow rolled over on his chair
naroxysna of laughter. his clerks,
sn0 be had 4 ct, emptied 6ne
iee-vafer On him before they dlce
uence 1he;r mistake. The matter Was
se the evnlained .andthe old man WAS !
.sburg s.ll.......ss;o,,e ,f surprise. Will
sdale, IL p s,,sIorsos, of the