Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-04-03
L5MNIOT DUPONT.


His Daring Executive Ability in
Taking Powder TO the Resistant
His Important work During the
Late War.
The Philadelphia Record gives the
following interesting sketch Of Lammot
DUPONT Mr.. dupont is said to have
been worth $13, 100000. He had con.
trolling interest in the manufacture OF
nearly all the high explosives that were
made In the United States and Canada
east OF the Rocky Mountains. Ten mill
lion pounds Of these materials were con-
sumed in the country in 1882, the
Repauuo oompany's works at Thompson's
Point producing one.third OF this amount.
He is credited with having organized
combination Of sill the makers OF high
explosives. When negotiating with the
Panama Canal Company Tor the powder
to he used IN that WORK he guaranteed TO
supply II tons OF Atlas powder daily II
that amount we're needed.
Ole OF the most dSTiiig achievements
recorded Ia tho history Of tbs present
century is ore of whicn he was the
central figure. During the CrtmGgn vas
the Russian government ran sboit OF
powder, and the explosive wss required
| to continue the defense OF Sevastophl, a
cargo was purchased from the duPou's IN
this country, and was placed In steam
| ship lying OIL Baltimore The British
had f.igates posted in waiting outside the
| Chesapeake. After seven feinte The
watchers were eluded and chase begun
across the Atlantic, through Gibraltar
sud up the Msdit .rfanesn Sea. Will
remarkable good fortune the vessel
passed through the BOsphorus aud into
the Black Sea unchecked but 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
heading the signals from the war ships.
Two brosdsides we're fired into the vessel,
but she was able to steam shesd and
steer through the rocks and was bsaehed
inside the Russian lines. This daring
adventure saved the cargo, for which the
Ruseisn government paid the sum Of
50 ,000,0 900. Throughout the civil war
tue family rendered distinguished ser
vice tn the government, and at the very
beginning OF the rebellion Lammo'
dupont was placed in position by
which, through bis energy and genius
the country was supplied with the means
Of defense for the eusuing conflict
When it became evident that tn,
rebellion was not to be suppressed
in single campaign the governmen
began to consider what mesps it had FOL
supplying powder to the vast armies 30 b.
put in the field. Mr.. dupont was called
to Washington to consult with the Presi
dent, and his estimates fairly startled
the cabinet by revealing to them gres
danger ahead IN the highly probable ex
haustion OF the supply OF saltpetre. From
England alone could Prerequisite amou i
be obtained, and Mr. DUPONT sailed 70
Liverpool with the necessary credentials
personal and financial, aud made his wa,
with all speed to London. There he a
once applied TO Peabody and tn
Bsrngs Chen financial representative
OF the United States in LondoD), bu
encountered many obstacles, attributabi
to the timidity Of the Secretary Of tn
Treasury, who, after promi ing sn ampl
supply OF iunds, had failed to mske goo
all his engagements. In this emergepc
the patriotic epv y concluded, on the rs
sponsibility OF his own house, al arrange
ment with Brown Brothers Il Go whic
, placed at hi copmsud sufficient sun
|
encountered, for EaIi Russrll'S govern
, ment refused to ailoS Great Britain 10 b
' deprived of 70 much ealtnstrt, ana al
? dupont returned TO America.
Another consultation Of the cGhut
was called. aud whep all We're bnwiidpre
by the diff ,ulies Of the situation, NJ
8 dupont made the suggestion that in Il
n event Of another Refusal the America
=. minister should be- instructed TO demsn
!. HIS passports and close the embass,
y This, it was understood, was TO be state
4 merely 81 an alternative, for its NOR
# effect, without any immediate intenti1
II oil putting the threat into execution
~ President Lincoln accepted the sugGe
tion, aod Mr. DUPONT returning
!, England, had III interview with Il
a prime mipistsr, who on learning Il
NJ danger of au interruption Oh diplomat
IA relations, begged MIR duPont to flrba
"a communicating with MIR. Adams for Ia
n aud next morning called upon him at h
m hotel to tell him that the council hi
az been communicated with by Telegram
~ ana the consent Of the government u
~ taiiied 10 the expOr! of the shltpetre.
n, number OF veassls were at CO loade
in and fortunately got away with tbeir ca
goes the very night OF the arrival OF =
news of the capture Of Mason aud Slide
the pre- mier on hearing that the ves,e
~ had sailed expressed bis satisfaction Al
u. privately assured Mr. dupont that
IL ass st liberty to Etate corldentially
MS Nj. Lincoln that scarcely for any eau
~ would Enslaud at that period go to "
ol with America.