Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-13
LAMNrOT DUPONTs CAREER.

w orth $4,000, 900 When Killed-Rua-
ming Blockade to Supply Russia with
POwder-His Services to the Govern
ment During the War.
Mr.. LammOt Dupont, who was killed on
Saturday by the explosion at Thompson's
Point, Delaware, says the Philadelphia
Record, is said to have been worth 3d.
00O,0 He had a controlling interest in
the manufacture of nearly all the high ex-
plosives that were made in the United
States and Canada east of the Rocky
mountains. Ten million pounds of these
materials were consumed in the country
in 1882, the RepaunO Company's works at
ThompsOn's Point producing one-third of
this amount. He is credited with having
organized a combination of all the makers
of high explosives. When negotiating
with the Panama Canal Company for the
powder to be used in that work he guar
anteed to supply twelve tons of Atlas
powder daily if that amount were needed.
One of the most daring achievements
recorded in the history of the present CEN
fury is one of which he was the central
figure. During the Crimean war the Rus
sian Government ran short of powder.
and the explosive was required to con-
tInue the defense of SebastODoI. A cargo
was purchased from the DupOnts in this
country, and was placed in a steamship
lying OF Baltimore. The British had frig-
ates posted in waiting outside the Chesa-
peake. After seven feints the watchers
were eluded and q chase begun across the
Atlantic, through Gibraltar and I'D the
Mediterranean sea. With remarkable
good fortune the vessel passed through
the BOsphOrus and into the Black sea I'M
checked; put when nearing the place of
contention the English War-ships hailed
the stranger. Young Dupont was at the
helm himself and insisted that the vessel
proceed, not needing the signals from the
war-ships. Two brOadsides were fred into
tue vessel, but she was able to steam
ahead and steer through the rocks and
was beached inside the Russian lines.
ms daring adventure saved the cargo
Tor which the Russian Government paid
the sum of $3,000000. Throughout the
civil war the family rendered distin-
gulshed services to the government, and
at the very beginning of the rebellion Mr..
LammOt Dupont was placed In a position
by winch, through his energy and genius.
the country was supplied with the means
OF defense for the ensuing conflict. When |
1t became evident that the rebellion was |
not to be suppressed in a single campaign |
the government began to consider what |
means it had for supplying powder to the |
vast armies to be put in the field. Mr.. /
dupont was called to Washington to con-
suit with the President, and his estimates I
fairly startled the Cabinet by revealing to /
them great danger ahead in the highly |
probable exhaustion of the supply of salt |
petre. From England alone could the /
requisite amount be obtained. and Mr.. |
Dupont sailed for Liverpool with the nee !
essary credentials, personal and financial. |
and made his way with all speed to Lon |
don. There he at once applied to Pea |
body and the Earrings (then financial rep /
resentatives of the United States in Lon /
don J, but encountered many obstacles, at
trlbutable to the timidity of the Secretary |
of the Treasury, who, after promising an |
ample supply of funds, had failed to make /
good all his engagements. In this emer-
gency the patriotic envoy concluded, on /
the responsibility of his own house. an ar
rangement with Brown Brothers & Co. |
Wnlcn placed at his command a sufficient |
sum. But the greatest difficulty was vet
to be encountered, for Earl Russell's |
government refused to allow Great Britain |
TO be deprived of so much saltpetre and |
Mr.. Dupont returned to America.
Another consultation of the Cabinet /
was called, and, when all were bewildered /
by the difficulties of the situation, Mr..
Dupont made the suggestion that, in the /
event of another refusal, the American /
Minister should be instructed to demand I
MS passports and close the embassy. |
This, 1t was understood, was to be stated /
merely as an alternative, for its moral ef- |
feet, without any immediate intention of |
putting the threat into execution. Presi-
dent Lincoln accepted the suggestion,
and Mr.. Dupont, returning to England, |
had an interview with the Prime Minister,
who, on learning the danger Of an inter- /
ruption OF diplomatic relations, begged /
Mr.. Dupont to forbear communicating
with Mr.. Adams for a day, and next /
morning called upon him at his hotel to
tell him that the council had been COM
municated with by telegraph, and the
consent of the government obtained to the
export Of the saltpetre. A number Of yes
sells were at once loaded, and fortunately /
got away with their cargOes the very night /
OF the arrival of the news of the capture /
OF Mason and Slidell. The Premier on /
hearing that the vessels had sailed ex-
pressed his satisfaction and privately as
sured Mr.. Dupont that he was at liberty
to state contidentiallY to Mr.. Lincoln that
scarcely for any cause would England at
that period go to war with America.