23 2 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



Anxious to promote the prosperity of that noble State, Jefferson 

 urged upon Dupont Virginia as the place where his contemplated 

 works should be established, and detained him with the courtesies of 

 his home until he could exhibit to him the capabilities and attractions 

 of the country. 



Dupont accepted the invitation, and willingly and carefully exam- 

 ined the various places brought under his notice. After a few weeks 

 of inspection and exploration, he reluctantly informed Jefferson that 

 he could not see his way clear to settle in Virginia. 



" Is it that the country is not favorable ? " asked his entertainer. 



" No," was the reply ; " it is magnificent." 



" Cannot favorable locations be procured ? Is not water-power 

 abundant ? Cannot materials be found ? " 



" Yes, yes, but I do not like one thing that I find here." 



" But what is that ? " 



" It's your institution of slavery. I cannot settle where it will be 

 around me." 



So Dupont came north, and the powder-manufactories were not 

 established in Virginia. 



The city of Paterson, near New York, was then a small village, 

 with its glorious falls of the Passaic not utilized to death as they are 

 to-day, and without a manufactory of any importance within its pre- 

 cincts. Dupont was freely offered a location there, and was strongly 

 inclined to accept it. Every thing was favorable ; the position of the 

 land, the unbounded facilities of water-power, ease of transportation, 

 accessibility to a large city, all pointed out the desirableness of the 

 locality ; but the sagacious man declined all offers. 



" I see," said he, " that this beautiful spot will not remain many 

 years as it is now. Before long, a city or town will grow up just 

 here ; extensive manufactories, attracted by this unlimited supply of 

 water, with so many feet of fall, will line the banks of this river. 

 When that time comes, the inhabitants will not brook the presence of 

 a powder-mill, and I, after years of labor, and when all my works are 

 established, will be compelled to move off and away. I must find 

 some place where I can reasonably hope to remain undisturbed." 



The secluded banks of the Brandywine, in Delaware, invited him, 

 and the works were erected in its quiet valley. 



The tract of land first purchased was large, occupying both banks 

 of the river. It has, in the lapse of years, been gradually increased 

 in size. The Duponts never sell, but are always ready to buy land 

 which lies in their vicinity. The same policy which shaped the action 

 of the father has been continued by the sons — to acquire a property 

 so extensive that no neighboring proprietor can be near enough to 

 desire the removal of their works or be injured by their proximity. 

 This they have accomplished. The country, for perhaps a mile on 

 either side of the Brandywine River, is in their possession, and no one 



