purposes the operation of the firm had come to an end."'^^ (See 

 figs. 24 and 25.) 



Following the example of E. I. du Pont, Cardon had constantly 

 expanded his business by borrowing, enlarging his physical plant, 

 and striving to increase his sales. The great difference was that 

 good gunpowder was at a premium whereas fine leather was a 

 surfeit in the market. Gunpowder mills were rare, tanneries 

 were not; the former properly managed could not fail to succeed, 

 the latter, even with divine management, would have been hard 

 pressed. A more cautious, perceptive individual might have suc- 

 cessfully prolonged the life of the firm, but it would have been 

 only a question of time until an expanding line of powder mills 

 had pushed the Hagley tanners from the banks of the Brandywine. 

 In 1809, E. I. du Pont had warned that the region was crowded with 

 tanneries and that there was room for no more. By 1826, he had 

 been proved correct. There remained only the formality of ending 

 the partnership and the larger task of closing the accounts. 



The actual dissolution was delayed so that the creditors would 

 not present all their claims at once. In May 1830, the following 

 document ^°^ was drawn (see fig. 26): 



Dissolution of Partnership 



Notice is hereby given that the Partnership formerly existing between Alex- 

 ander Cardon, James Anthony Bidermann & Charles Dalmas in the business 

 of Tanning leather and grinding Bark, and which was carried on under the 

 firm of A. Cardon & Co. was duly dissolved on the first day of June A. D. 

 1826 at which period said Partnership ceased and has not since been con- 

 tinued or renewed. 



Wilmington, Delaware James Anthony Bidermann 



May 20 A. D. 1830 Charles Dalmas 



A. Cardon 



-"** Statement of the articles taken from A. Cardon and Company by and on account of Eldridge 

 and Brick (June 1826), in bills miscellaneous (OSOR, Tannery, box 1): 

 1 Large Craine to Haul the Limes 

 4 Frames to hang the Hides in the lime 



1 Small Crane with gearing (to hang hides in the lime) 

 10 Brass Cocks 



2 Grinding stones with Spindle pulleys and boxes to run on 

 A Chain to haul the Hides fr. the limes block 



1 Tan Fork 



2 Rollers with the Spindle, baits, and pinions 

 25 Bark bags 



1 Crank and 2 pulleys 

 In addition, see Cardon and Company to Eldridge and Brick, July 16, 1826, in letter book. 

 209 OSOR, P. S. du Pont Collection. 



72 



