The Giant Powder Company to Sir Robert Wingate, October 4, 1884

The Giant Powder Company to Mr. Wingate.

Sir: Owing to the present outlook for war between China and France, we desire to call your attention to and solicit your aid and advice with regard to placing before the notice of the Chinese Government our explosives.

The Giant Powder Company’s patents were acquired from the original inventor, Mr. Alfred Noble, both for dynamite powders and his later discovery, the “explosive gelatine,” the strongest of all known explosives.

The name “giant powder” was used for our dynamite powders as being more simple and more acceptable than “dynamite.”

As the Giant Powder Company are to-day the largest manufacturers of high explosives in-the United States and perhaps the world, having extensive, works both in California and the East, and being fully prepared to furnish dynamite in any quantities upon the shortest notice and at prices which defy competition, we desire to enter every field where dynamite is or may be used.

We address you as being in the position to forward our interests, and trust you may be able to place with that Government a quantity of our explosives.

We send you herewith circulars descriptive of the new “explosive gelatine,” and will say that this powder deserves attention, particularly for torpedoes and similar purposes.

We are &c.,