The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1884-05-09
LAMnroT pUPoNTs cAREER.

ming a BLOCKADE TO Supply Russia with
neHsA== Izs= s==~5c>= - tie 9c-==
ment During the War.
Philadelphia Record
Mr.. Lammot Dupont, who was killed
on Saturday by the explosion at
Thompson's point, is said to have been
worth $13, 600, 900. He had & controll-
ing interest in the manufacture of near
" all the explosives that were made in
the United States and Canada east Of
the Rocky Mountains. Ten million
| pounds OF these materials were con-
sumed in the country in 1882, the Re
panno company's works at T~hompson'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 pow
der to be used IN that work he guaran-
teed to supply twelve tons of Atlas pow
der daily if that amount were needed.
One Of the most daring achievements
recorded In the history Of the present
century is one of which he was the CEN
trail figure. During the Crimean war
the Russian government ran short of
powder, and the explosive was required
to continue the defense of S~abastopol.
A cargo was purchased from Duponts
in this country, and was placed in a
steamship lying off Baltimore. The
British had frigates posted in waiting
outside the Chesapeake. After seven
feints the watchers were eluded and a
chase begun across the Atlantic, through
Gibraltar and up the Mediterranean
sea. With remarkable good fortune the
vessel passed through the Bosphorus
and into the Black Sea unchecked; but
when nearing the place OF contention
the English warships hailed the strang-
er. Young Dupont was at the helm
himself, and insisted that the vessel
proceed, not needing the signals from
the warships. Two broadsides were
fred into the vessel, but she was able
to steam ahead and steer through the
rocks, and was beached inside the
Russian lines. This daring adj
venture saved the cargo, for which the
Russian government paid the sum of
S3, 900, 900. Throughout the civil wal
the family rendered distinguished SER
vices to the government, and at the very
beginning Of the rebellion Mr.. Lammot
Dupont was placed in a position by
which, through his energy and genius,
The country was supplied with the
means of defense In the ensuing conflict.
| When it became evident that the rebel
lion was not to be suppressed in q single
campaign the government began to con-
| slider what means it had for supplying
powder to the vast armies to be put In
the field. Mr.. Dupont was called to
Washington to consult with the Pres
dent, and his estimate fairly startled
the Cabinet by revealing to them q
greater LANCER ahead to a highly prob
able exhaustion of the supply OF salt
peter. From England alone could the
requisite amount be obtained, and Mr..
Dupont sailed for Liverpool with the
necessary credentials, personal and
financial, and made his way with all
| speed to London. There he at once
applied to Peabody and Earrings (then
financial representatives of the United
States in London), but encountered
many obstacles attributable to the TIM
idity of the secretary of the treasury,
who, after promising a n ample supply
Of funds, had failed to make good all
his engagements. In this emergency
the patriotic envoy concluded, on the
eesiseas;lbil;t OF his e%n house, an az
arrangement with Brown Brothers & Co.
which placed at his command a sufficient
sum. But the greatest difficulty was yet
TO be encountered, for Earl RusselIs
government refused to allow Great Brit
ain to be deprived of so mach saltpeater,
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 de-
mand his passports and close the en-
bassy. This, it was understood, was
to be stated merely as an alternative,
for its moral effect, without any i'm.
mediate intention of putting the threat
into execution. President Lincoln ac-
copied the suggestion, and MI. Dupont,
returned to England, had an interview
with the prime minister, who, on learn
ing the danger of an interruption of
diplomatic relations, begged Mr.. Du-
pout to forbear communicating with
MI. Adams for a day, and next morning
called upon him at his hotel to tell him
that the council had been communicated
| by telegraph, and the consent Of the
government obtained to export the salt
peter. A number of vessels 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 vessel had sailed, ex-
pressed his satisfaction, and privately
assured Mr.. Dupont that he was at lib
ertY to state confidentialIy to Mr.. Lin