Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 6 [Dec. 13, 1862-Nov. 3, 1863].

To Isaac R. Diller1Jump to section

December 15, 1862

Captain Dahlgren, of the U.S. Navy, having tested, to some extent, the new powder mentioned within, and having expressed the opinion that a fuller test should be made, which he thinks cannot be satisfactorily done with less than one thousand pounds, I agree to the within terms, as modified by what is written below. The quantity of powder produced for the test may be more, but not less than one thousand pounds, and the sum to be paid for preparing this quantity, shall not be more than the actual cost, nor more than two dollars per pound, nor in the aggregate more than five thousand dollars. When the officers, or other skilled person or persons, I shall select to make the test, shall advise me that in their opinion, the powder possesses all the advantages represented within, and that it has no important fault, I will advise the payment of the one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, for the transfer to the United States, the secret of composing and making said. powder, and the exclusive right, within the United States, of making, using, and vending it to others, to be used. I only promise to advise the payment, because I have not the money at my control which I could, by law, absolutely promise to pay.

December 15. 1862. A. LINCOLN

Annotation

[1]   Copies, DLC-RTL; copy, DNA WR RG 74, Navy Branch, Bureau of Ordnance, Letters Received 1862-1863. See Lincoln to Welles, August 2, supra, and endorsement of January 15, 1863, infra. On September 10, 1862, Isaac R. Diller wrote Lincoln as follows:

``After consultation with Captain Dahlgreen, I have come to the conclusion not to attempt to make the large quantity of the new powder which he will require for full tests, in this City. In my opinion it would not be safe to do so, on account of the secrecy necessary to be observed in its manufacture.

``In my opinion the expense, incurred in the manufacture of the required amount will not exceed five hundred dollars,---provided I have permission to draw from the public stores such articles as are on hand.

``The sum specified will be used only for the purpose of purchasing certain necessary means for making it, which will always be found useful in the public laboratory connected with the Agricultural Department of the Government.

``Before commencing these experiments it will be positively necessary for me to return to the West for a few days and I respectfully ask that transportation be furnished me for that purpose.

``I propose to do this work in Philadelphia, and in this determination Capt. Dahlgreen concurs.

``When I am prepared to commence operations, I have the honor to ask that Dr. Charles M. Wetherill, Chief Chemist of the Agricultural Department, be again assigned to me to conduct the manufacture, and experiments, as he is the only person, except myself, familiar with the process of manufacture, in this country.

``The expenses already incurred, not counting my time or that of the Chemist, amounts to two hundred & fifty-five dollars.'' (DLC-RTL).

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On October 17, 1862, Charles M. Wetherill wrote Lincoln as follows:

``Having understood that Captain Diller is ready to have me detailed back to the Department of Agriculture, I desire to make the following statement. I have brought my chemical apparatus (which I value at $3000) to Washington by Captain Dillers directions. I have used it in the experiments without charge to the Government.

``I have placed this apparatus together with my scientific library (which I value at $2000) at the disposal of the Department of Agriculture to be used by me in the prosecution of researches in agricultural chemistry, until Congress shall provide for the Chemistry of the Department. As I place $5000 of my Capital at the disposal of the Government, without interest I think I should be made secure in its ownership. As soon as I am detailed back to the Dept. of Agriculture I lose possession of my apparatus unless said room is in the possession of the Commissioner. I have therefore respectfully to request that this laboratory tranfer be made or that I be otherwise made secure in my ownership before I am detailed back to my Department.'' (DLC-RTL).

Shortly afterwards, Wetherill was appointed chemist in the Department of Agriculture (New York Tribune, October 27, 1862), and the experiment was undertaken. On December 10, Diller submitted the following document to the president and received Lincoln's endorsement (dated December 15, as given above):

``The undersigned, Isaac R. Diller, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the State of Illinois, would respectfully represent; that I am the owner and possessor of a process of making an article of gunpowder entirely unknown and unused in the United States.

``I propose to place the art of manufacturing the said powder and every thing pertaining to the complete understanding of its composition, in the possession of the Government of the United States, on the condition, that as soon as the amount hereafter specified has been made, and the article being tested by said Government, and being found to possess the qualities and advantages claimed for it, then and in that case in consideration therefor, the said Government is to pay, or cause to be paid, to the undersigned, the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000).

``The said tests to be carried on and conducted by officers of the said Government, to be selected by the President, in the presence of the undersigned, and at as an early a day as possible, after a notification from the undersigned that the material is prepared.

``When the said tests are completed, if successful and satisfactory to the said Government, I will then place them in possession of the said art and mode of compounding the said article of gunpowder, whereupon the above sum is then to be paid, as above stipulated.

``I further propose to proceed immediately, upon the approval of these propositions, by the President of the United States, to prepare a sufficient quantity of the said article for the tests aforesaid, not exceeding one thousand pounds, the said Government agreeing to pay all charges and expenses incurred in the preparation of the said quantity, and the machinery necessary therefor.

``I propose to file full specifications of the advantages claimed for the new powder, in the office of Captain J. A. Dahlgren, chief of the Bureau of Ordnance in the Navy Department, within ten days from the date and approval of the above propositions by the President.

``I have the honor to be Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant

ISAAC R. DILLER.''

``Specification of the advantages claimed for the `R.R.R. Gunpowder' made a part of this paper by direction of the President.

``1. It contains neither saltpetre nor sulphur. It bears no relation to gun-cotton. The ingredients can always be obtained in the United States.

``2. The manufacture of the powder is simple, requiring no complicated apparatus,

and is attended with less danger than the manufacture of ordinary gunpowder.

``3. Atmospheric changes, whether of moisture, or heat, do not injure the powder. Like ordinary gunpowder, it requires a great pressure or friction for its explosion. It does not ignite under 300deg. Celsius. It may be ignited by a spark, or percussion cap, like common gunpowder.

``4. In smooth-bored guns, seven parts by weight of this powder, are, as effective as nine parts by weight of ordinary gunpowder, while in rifled guns, this advantage is in the proportion of one to two.

``5. Neither this powder, nor its ingredients in store, are liable to deteriorate.

``6. The heating effect of this powder is less than that of ordinary powder, in the proportion of one to two. It gives a weaker report, less smoke, and fouls the gun much less than ordinary gunpowder. It does not damage the gun.

``7. In comparing equal weights of this with ordinary gunpowder, the estimated cost is about equal---but the smaller amount required of this powder, renders it greatly advantageous on the score of economy.

ISAAC R. DILLER.''

See further Lincoln to Stanton and Welles, July 21, 1863, and Lincoln's memorandum of instructions for testing Diller's powder, November 2, 1863, infra; also references indexed under Isaac R. Diller and Charles M. Wetherill.