Chapter XI

FIRST VENTURES IN BUSINESS AT NEW YORK, AND SEQUEL TO THE "MILL GROVE" MINE

Audubon and Rozier at "Mill Grove"—Their partnership
rules—Attempts to form a mining company lead to
disappointment—Decision to sell their remaining interests
in "Mill Grove" to Dacosta—Division of the property and
legal entanglements—Audubon as a clerk in New York—Business
correspondence and letters to his father—Later history of the
lead mine and Dacosta—Audubon continues his drawings in New
York and works for Dr. Mitchell's Museum—Forsakes the counting
room for the fields—Personal sketch.

When Audubon and Rozier reached "Mill Grove" at the beginning of the summer of 1806, they found the troublesome Dacosta installed as its master by virtue of his interest in the property and his former position as agent, to which they were now to succeed. No doubt they found difficulties in carrying out all the articles of agreement[123] in their business constitution, for they were to take possession and call Dacosta to account. They were also in duty bound to investigate the lead mine on the farm, and ascertain whether it promised any success, and if the expenses already incurred were warranted, before committing themselves to further development. One-half the product of the mine and farm was to be equally divided between them, and in order to visualize clearly their profit and loss, they agreed to keep a "special book for the purpose." "On one side," their third "Article" read, "will be entered the items of expense, day by day, and at the moment this is done, on the other side [shall also be entered] the sales and products of the farms, and of all that can result from this business, in such a way that the profit shall be always apparent by the addition of the items which compose the debit and the credit."

After the original manuscript of Rozier's copy, in possession of
Mr. Charles A. Rozier.]

The house at "Mill Grove" was to be treated as an object separate from all business, "in order," so the "Articles" read, "that we may settle matters as completely as we desire." It was also agreed, in the fourth "Article," that they should "add to the expenses of this exploitation those necessary for life, and others of a mutual character, so long as it should suit them to live and dwell together." It was further stipulated that even if the mine proved a failure, they should remain six months on the farm, in order to gather useful information from the country, before embarking in any form of commerce, whether inland or maritime. The cost of their journey to America was to be entered as the first item of their "social expenses," and any expenditure for travel in their mutual interests was to be considered under the same head. In case they should persuade any merchants in America to send goods to M. Rozier, Senior, at Nantes, he should be entitled to one-half the profits, while the partners should divide the other half between them. All other profits and losses resulting from their commercial transactions were to be shared equally. The partners resolved to maintain friendship and a mutual understanding, but "upon the least difficulty" each should choose one arbitrator, and the two thus chosen were authorized to select a third; the partners were bound to accept the decision thus reached without appealing to any court. In the case of the death of one of the associates, read the tenth "Article," the survivor should have sole charge of making a settlement of the business and should report to the proper heirs. The survivor, in such an event, would be entitled to a commission of ten per cent [in addition to his one-half interest], but in no case should the partnership be dissolved "until after nine years, counting from the day of the date of the present [instrument]." As will be seen, Audubon and Rozier were unable to fulfill all the conditions thus carefully laid down.

Young Audubon's dislike of Dacosta, the uncertainty of the mining project, and other difficulties of the situation soon decided the partners to cut short their stay at "Mill Grove." Both were equally interested in the lead mine, but after working several months without success in an attempt to form a mining company, they wisely decided to leave such experiments to the enthusiastic Dacosta and to seek an opening in trade, where the hazard would be no greater and their ignorance less profound. Following the advice of their Quaker friend, Miers Fisher, they decided to sell to Dacosta their remaining rights in "Mill Grove." As a preliminary it was necessary to divide the property which had been held in common by him and Lieutenant Audubon since 1804, and this division was effected by an agreement drawn up at Philadelphia on the fifth day of September, 1806.[124] Ten days later the remainder of "Mill Grove" was conveyed to Francis Dacosta, representing a number of capitalists whom he had managed to interest in the mine, of whom the astute Stephen Girard is said to have been one. The sale was subject to conditions,[125] dependent upon their success in mining lead, which, as will appear eventually, could not have been fulfilled. These various transactions are so clearly set forth by Ferdinand Rozier in writing to his father at Nantes that we shall reproduce his letter in full:[126]

_Ferdinand Rozier to Claude François Rozier_

PHILADELPHIA, _12 Sept., 1806_

Duplicate.

MY VERY DEAR AND VENERABLE FATHER:

Still in hope of cherished news from you, and replies to my
letters of 31 May, 22 June, and 4 July, I have to tell you
that we have since succeeded in closing all our business
relations with Mr. Francis Dacosta, in the following
manner: We are anxious that our method of procedure may
be satisfactory to you; we have followed the advice of Mr.
Miers Fisher, and have had his approval in all that we have
done. What should set you at rest is that as regards your
investment, you will find that I have made quite a neat
profit. Here is a copy of the agreement.

"It is agreed between Mr. Dacosta and Mr. J. Audubon
that the farm of "Mill Grove," which they now hold
in common, shall be divided between them as follows:

"1. Mr. Dacosta shall have the lot of 113 and a
half acres, situated on the N.E. side of Perkioming
creek, with all the buildings, mines, et cet., and
in general all that it contains.

"2. Mr. Audubon shall have the lot of 171 acres,
situated on the other side of the creek.

"3. Mr. Dacosta shall pay to Mr. Audubon for the
difference [in value] of the lot of 113½ acres, and
of that which it contains:

"1. The sum of eight hundred dollars,
payable with interest, in three years from
this day;

"2. The sum of four thousand dollars, upon
the first products of the lead mine.

"4. The contract made with Mr. Thomas shall remain
to the charge of the two parties.

"Note. Mr. Duponceau is begged to draw up the
necessary deeds to put this agreement into
execution, which [deeds] we undertake mutually to
exchange at the first requisition."

"[Executed] at Philadelphia, this 5th of Sept, 1806."

[Signed] "Fcis DACOSTA"
"FERDINAND ROZIER"
"J. AUDUBON"

The futile attempt that we have made to form a company [to
work this mine], which is a condition [of success], the slight
resources at our command, as well as our lack of knowledge
in work of this kind, all have determined us to abandon our
rights for the offer of four thousand dollars[127] upon the
first products that shall come from the mine. The expense
that must be incurred in [working] it will be very heavy; to
this must be added the uncertainty of success. The mine may
promise much at the beginning, and after that yield nothing.
In short an enterprise of this kind can be properly conducted
only by a capitalist or by a company. We have regarded this
mine as a lottery which can make the fortune of the promoter,
or lead him into great losses. As to the agreement with Mr.
Wm. Thomas, we do not consider it as very serious; since
it is quite uncertain whether he will be paid in whole or
in part, as he has not kept his agreements. This is Mr.
Dacosta's opinion. As to our half we are decided not to let
it go under eight thousand dollars, which is its value as
estimated by several farmers. So you see, my dear papa, that
our half [as worth] 8,000 dollars, at least, the sum of eight
hundred dollars by mortgage, with interest, and that of four
thousand dollars upon the first products from the mine, will
cover easily the interest on the purchase of sixteen thousand
francs.

Since expenses are at least double what they would be in
France, owing to the cost of products of every sort, we are
determined to go into trade, to cover our expenses, and to
choose for ourselves some kind of serious work that can lead
us to an honorable establishment. You should be at ease about
the manner we shall adopt for our operations, as we wish only
to go slowly, and especially [to be] guided by the advice of
the respectable persons whose acquaintance we are so fortunate
as to enjoy, and who beyond a doubt will aid us along this
thorny path.

"By our letter of the 4th July we have sent the account
current of Mr. Dacosta, by which Mr. Audubon is charged
with 315 dollars and 5 cents; we have begged you to send
the documentary evidence which may put us in a position to
prove that Mr. Audubon ought not to pay Mr. Dacosta's private
expenses, as the matter is to be decided here by arbitrators.
We beg Mr. Audubon to use the utmost speed in sending his
documents. It is our ardent [hope] also that you have received
our first [letter] of May 31, with that of Mr. Bakewell, the
merchant in New York, with a remittance of 3,000 and a few
francs for the purchase of divers objects. I assure you that
we are in the greatest anxiety [as to] what is the state
of your health,[128] as well as that of the family, and to
learn if you have received our letters. The nephew of Mr.
Bakewell writes us that his uncle in New York has despatched
several vessels consigned to you, for which I congratulate you
sincerely. We have also received your letter of the 30th of
June, but I cannot reply to it, since the boat is leaving this
evening for Amsterdam, but you can count upon my conforming
to its contents. Your personal letter grieved me particularly
by your last expressions, and I should wish that you would
have done me more justice; I can have made mistakes, but for
... the idea alone has made me shudder. I am delighted that
all the family is enjoying perfect health. Embrace dear Mama
for me; my kind regards to my brother and sisters; do not
forget to remember me to all the family, and to our friend,
Mr. Audubon, the father, and his family. Finally, my dear
Papa, be assured that I shall forget nothing to increase our
intimacy. You give me the means of supporting it with labor.
Believe in my sincere and enduring attachment.

Your respectful son,

FERDINAND ROZIER.

We are eager to hear of the receipt of our letters,
and we beg you to address them to Mr. Bakewell of
New York.

The inbred caution, sound sense, and sterling integrity which this letter displays would be a good foundation for any career, and we are not surprised to find that in after life Ferdinand Rozier became a keen and successful trader on the western frontier.

After the original manuscript of Ferdinand Rozier's copy, in
possession of Mr. Tom J. Rozier.]

After the original manuscript in possession of Miss Maria R.
Audubon.]

The division and sale of "Mill Grove" probably ended the joint interests of the elder Audubon and Rozier, for in November, 1806, a new power of attorney[129] was given to the young men by Lieutenant Audubon and his wife; as later events will prove, however, their rights in the property were not completely surrendered with its transfer to Dacosta and his mining company in the autumn of this year. The partners were now free to "choose some kind of serious work," and Ferdinand, who was then twenty-nine, was anxious to make a beginning at once. Since he was not as yet proficient in the English tongue, Rozier engaged as a clerk in the French importing house of Laurence Huron, of Philadelphia, while Audubon, following the advice of his future father-in-law, entered the office of the latter's brother, Benjamin Bakewell, in New York.

In the autumn of 1806 Benjamin Bakewell was conducting a successful wholesale importing business at 175 Pearl Street. He then owned several vessels, and his correspondents were scattered over England, France, the West Indies and the Southern States. With him were associated at this time a number of young men, including his nephew, Thomas W. Bakewell, Thomas Pears, a nephew of his wife, Thomas Bakewell, his son, as well as John James Audubon. The hospitable family to which young Audubon was now admitted on terms of intimacy, in accordance with the custom of the day, lived in the rear of the counting-house during the winter months but in summer migrated to the country, the Bakewells going five miles out on the Bloomingdale Road. Benjamin Bakewell had come to this country in 1794, in the same year as the famous chemist, Joseph Priestley, whose friendship he enjoyed and whose religious teachings had drawn both him and his brother, William, from rigid Calvinism to the greater tolerance of the Unitarian belief. At twenty-four he was an independent mercer in Cornhill, London, and was well acquainted in France, where he had spent considerable time during the Revolution, which had destroyed his trade. One of his patrons at this time was Claude François Rozier of Nantes, and inasmuch as the correspondence with him had to be conducted in French, and may possibly in this instance have been due to young Audubon's initiative, it was naturally intrusted to him.

Seven letters of the naturalist, dating from January 10, 1807, to July 19 of that year, by good fortune have been preserved, and they throw into full light another shaded corner of his interesting life. From the contents of these letters,[130] as well as from other facts, we know that Audubon remained in Bakewell's office for nearly a year, from the autumn of 1806 to the summer of 1807. Bakewell's house imported linens, lace, gloves, wines, firearms and any kind of merchandise that promised a ready and remunerative sale in New York; in return they forwarded coffees, sugars and other commodities to Rozier, receiving from him also prices current and introductions to other merchants in France. Another correspondent was the Huron firm in Philadelphia, so it is probable that Ferdinand owed his employment there to Benjamin Bakewell.

While Audubon expressed himself at this time as freely in English as in French, in the former language the tendencies of his French tongue and the influence of his Quaker friends were strangely blended. He never bothered with accents, and took as many liberties with the spelling of French as of English. Some of these lapses are purely phonetic, while others are more original, as "schacket" for "packet," "fither" for "Fisher"; two variations of Rozier's name and of Nantes occur in the same letter. It should be remembered, however, that at the beginning of the nineteenth century bad or random spelling was a very venial offense, which gentlemen of quality, or even scholars, could commit with impunity. In this respect Audubon's early essays in English would probably compare favorably with Gibbon's youthful French.

_John James Audubon to Claude François Rosier_

[Letter No. 1, addressed]

M. FR. ROZIER,
Merchant-Nantes.

NEW YORK, _10 January, 1807._

DEAR SIR:

We have had the pleasure of receiving by the _Penelope_ your
consignment of 20 pieces of linen cloth, for which we send
our thanks. As soon as we have sold them, we shall take great
pleasure in making our return.

I am truly sorry that you had not received any letters from
us when you wrote, and I am also very disconsolate at having
no news from my good father. You did us a most acceptable
service in making us acquainted with your friends in different
parts of France, and in offering to send us such goods as you
shall deem suitable. Upon the same proposals I sent you orders
several months ago, and did I dare, I should tell you that all
articles having much show and little value are the very things
that are _à la mode_, and these in one hundred per cent,
[and] I assure you that we should be very happy to receive
some small consignments. As soon as we shall have realized our
funds, we will make our orders, in accordance with our means.
Mr. Bakewell has made a great profit on the consignment that
you made him shortly after our arrival. We should be flattered
by another like it. Have the kindness to write us often, and
to send us prices current as far as possible. I hope that you
will have had our letters concerning a plan of business with
Mr. Huron. If you will have the kindness to see him,[131] he
can communicate to you his ideas on the subject. His plan, I
believe, will be advantageous both to you and to us.

Your son is just about to come from Philadelphia, to live in
New York until there is some news; but we will write you more
at length by Capt. Sammis, who brought us to this country. I
even venture to hope that you will send back some merchandise
for us. Have the kindness to forward us invoices, with the
goods consigned to us, in order to avoid the penalty and
the expense of having them taken to a public warehouse, [a
proceeding] which is often a great disadvantage on account of
the fees. Consign always to Mr. Benjamin Bakewell, who treats
us, so far as possible, as good friends.

Present my respects to your family, and believe me ever

your faithful servant,

J. J. AUDUBON.

_John James Audubon to Claude François Rozier_

[Letter No. 2, addressed]

Monsieur FR. ROZIER,
Negociant,
Nantes.
Loire Inferieure.

NEW YORK, _April 24, 1807._

MY DEAR SIR:

I am profiting by a good opportunity for Bordeaux to apprise
you of the receipt of a duplicate of the orders that you gave
us several months ago. You will also know that the wines,
consigned to Mr. L. Huron, have arrived in this city and the
insurance has been saved. Your son has gone to the spot [the
dock in Philadelphia], and by one of his letters advised me
that the 60 cases of wine are sold. He tells me that you can
count on a net profit of nearly 20 p. c. If it turns out very
good, the remainder will not fail to find a purchaser. Mr.
Le Ray has arrived and has brought with him a small box of
lace for Mr. Benjamin Bakewell here; it ought to arrive in a
few days from Philadelphia. Mr. B. B. appeared satisfied with
the sale of his squared timber; he is anxious only to see the
returns; he is unhappy that the commerce of your town with
this country cannot be regularly conducted except by Bordeaux,
whence we have vessels every month. As our friend, Ferdinand,
will write you from Philadelphia concerning Mr. Huron, I shall
not enlarge about him. In several of your letters you intimate
that if we decide upon establishing a retail shop, you can
keep us constantly employed; our ideas upon this subject
are in perfect accord, and it would be indeed a pleasure if
we could start under the auspices and good advice of Mr.
Bakewell here; objects well chosen, favorably bought, and
shipped with care, are always sure of meeting a good sale. I
venture to hope that the ship _La Jeanne_, Capt. Sammis, will
have arrived in your port, and that the Indigoes shipped by
Mr. Bakewell will reach there in time for the sale of this
merchandise, of which I have some fears, in view of the sum
they have cost him.

We thank you for the prices current that you have sent us. In
one of my last, directed by way of Bordeaux, I begged you to
call on Mr. Fleury Emery for a box of seeds, from Martinique
and from this country, for you and for my father. This was
aboard the ship, the _Virginia_, Capt. Roberts, from this
section. We hope shortly to send you some merchandise, and
possibly Mr. Bakewell will profit by an opportunity that we
shall have in a few days for your port. A little more than
three weeks ago I was at Mill Grove, and I rented it for a
year, being unable to do better for the present. Your son,
now in Philadelphia, is trying to settle the accounts of my
father with Mr. Dacotta [Dacosta], who does not easily forget
the _rôle_ of chicaner. Present, I pray you, my respects and
compliments to your good family and wife, and believe in me
as your devoted and constant

servant,

J. J. AUDUBON.

Have the kindness to deliver the enclosed to my good father.

The following quaint and charming letter, which young Audubon enclosed with the preceding and under separate seal, but which his "good father" may not have received, will be transcribed in full, without the change of a letter or mark. Lieutenant Audubon, who was then in his sixty-third year, was living, as we have seen, at Couëron, the small river town nine miles west of Nantes, the center of the mails for the Loire Inférieure, and came frequently to that city to conduct his business correspondence.

_John James Audubon to Jean Audubon_

[Letter No. 3, enclosed with No. 2, addressed]

JOHN AUDUBON, Esq.,
Nantes.
pr Bourdeaux

NEW YORK _April 24th 1807_

MY DEAR FATHER

I send thee by a good opportunity, but going to Bordeaux I
deed send about a month ago a small Box containing some very
curious seeds & some useful ones the whole was directed to Mr.
Fleury Emery it was given here to the Care of Capt.. Roberts
of the Virginia I do hope they are now in thy possession thou
have been so often disappointed that it always pains me to
think that they have been Miscarried: thou shalt found some
of the Best Whatter Missions and Girmonds Called here St.
Domingo Schachet[132] as in a few days I shall have again a
good opportunity for Nantz I will send thee a Duplicate of the
same Seeds, I have seen in the News Paper that a ship called
the Betzey had been in Nantz do make some Enquiries for it
there are on board of her Many Birds and a collection of seeds
from America for thee The Caps.. McDougal; pray when thou
answer to this be kind enough to mantion these little things.
I hope that the Jane Cap.. Sammis as reached your Port and
given thee some Turtle fit to be eaten in soupe. Mr. L. Huron
deed few days ago. Received some Wines on a/c of M. Rozier
and hits they prove goods[133] and will bring a good profit.
Mr. F. Rozier the son speaks of going to France some time this
summer he is now near Mr. Huron at Philadelphia and will try
while he is there to settle the Business between M.. Dacotta
and thee M.. Rozier had shosen M.. Huron for arbitrator but
I would not agree to it until M.. Miers fither[134] was to
have part in it. I am now waiting for an answer. I am allways
in Mr. Benjamin Bakewell's store where I work as much as I
can and passes my days happy; about thee weeks ago I went
to Mill Grove for a/c of the latter and had the pleasure
of seeing there my Biloved Lucy who constantly loves me and
makes me perfectly happy. I shall wait for thy Consent and
the one of my good Mamma to Marry her. could thou but see
her and thou wouldst I am sure be pleased of the prudency
of my choice; M..B. Bakewell is allways willing to oblige me
and will do many things for me: do not participate the Ideas
of M. Rozier Going to France to his father it would perhaps
Injure us for a while. I wish thou would wrights to me ofnor
and longuely think by thy self how pleasing it is to read a
friend's letter. Give my love to all my friends and thine and
kiss mamma, Rosa and Brother Pigaudeau[135] for me I hope they
continue to be all happy, do remember to send me thy portrait
in miniature dressed as an officer[136] it will cost thee
little and will please me much. Some of thy hair and ask my
sister for the Music she does not want. I wish to receive some
letter from M.. Dorbigny[137] whom I have often wrighten and
send some curiosities. he is yet to answer to my first.

When thou seeist Mr Rozier pray him and try to engage him to
send us some-goods then we feel very inclined to set up in a
retail store which would do, us a great deal of good. I will
send him a letter by this opportunity—Good by farwell good
father believe me for life thy most sincere friend be well be
happy

thy son

J.. J.. AUDUBON

_J'espere que tu poura lire—adieu—adieu_.

_John James Audubon to Claude François Rozier_

[Letter No. 4, addressed]

MR. FCCIS ROZIER,
Merct, Nantes—_Ocean_.

NEW YORK, _May 6th, 1807_.

DEAR SIR:

I wrote you recently by a ship going to Bordeaux; the letters
were carefully intrusted, and I hope that they were received.
I notified you of the arrival of the wines to the address of
Mr. Huron of Philadelphia, and told you that part of the cases
were sold. Your son informed me this morning that wine of so
good quality ought never to be exported in cask, and that the
profit would have been greater if the whole had been in case.
Mr. Benjamin Bakewell has received the bill of lading of Mess
Gereche brothers, and the gloves and the lace are at present
on the road from Philadelphia to this place; perhaps we shall
have them tomorrow; I am afraid that they may be dear. In
several of your letters to Ferdinand you speak of a retail
store, and my friend begs me tell you that nothing could suit
us better than that you should have the kindness to send us
enough [goods] to set up a shop at once on a good footing.
As soon as advised, we shall order you to stock it with
merchandise of your choice. You should have already received
the bill of sale of a bale of linen cloth. You can judge that
I have learned to shave Messrs the Americans, since I have
been with Mr. B. B. In conscience, however, [the goods] have
been sold at one third above their value. Should you decide
upon sending another [shipment], do not count upon so good a
sale. You must know, however, that I am always disposed to do
everything for your interests, and that I shall always seek
to merit your approbation. Should you decide to make [us] a
consignment for a retail shop, have the kindness to follow,
point by point, the following bill:

60 doz. morocco leather powder flasks—green or gray,
copper mounted, like those that you sell at the
shop for 25 sols [soldos].

60 doz. d. d. of leather, mahogany color, at the same
price.

100 boxes d.

100 music boxes,[138] in prices from 10 to 18 francs, good
pieces and gay music.

100 boxes of seal-wafers, containing 1 gross each, assorted
in color [but] more of the red than any other.

10 gross of small boxes of seal-wafers.

3 boxes of pastels, good, well assorted, and chosen by
the sons of M. Belloc; more would not return us
anything.

If you could procure us good books in English at Paris, M.
Bakewell assures me [that we would realize] a great profit
on them, and upon the other articles as given above, if well
chosen. We hope to sell Mill Grove, and we will credit you
with a great part of the profit in colonial merchandise. It
is with impatience that I await some news of the indigo of
Mr. B. Bakewell. Have the kindness, I pray you, to forward
the enclosed letter to my father as soon as possible, and will
you take from the ship _Ocean_, the carrier of this letter, a
little box [sent] to your address for him, and will you send
this to him also? Present my respects to your ladies; accept
mine and those of the Bakewell family. Ferdinand is well. I
salute you, and I am

your devoted friend,

AUDUBON.

Herewith the bill of lading of the box.
The captain did not wish to make any
charge, and has been perfectly polite.

_John James Audubon to Jean Audubon_

[Letter No. 5, inclosed with No. 4, in French, and addressed]

Mr. FCCIS ROZIER
Mercht
Nantes

_pour_ Mr. Audubon _père_
_aussitôt que possible_

MY DEAR FRIEND:

Thou wilt find herewith a bill of lading of a small box
containing nineteen species of seeds, a bottle of reptiles
for Mr. Derbigny [D'Orbigny], and some dried plants also
for the latter. I will write thee of Mr. Kauman, by the ship
_Mentor_, which is to leave a little while after this one.
Adieu, my good friend! The box will be addressed to Mr.
Audubon, _Md_,[139] Nantes, with "American seeds" written
above; besides two Bs, like this which follows B.B[140] The
Capn. promises me to take care of it, and of my letters
also. If thou findest in my letter anything which displeases
thee, remember that I am thy son. Adieu! Farewell, my good
friend! Thine for life.

J. J. AUDUBON.

New York, _May 6, 1807_.

Do not forget, I pray thee, to send me for the good Mrs.
Bakewell the complete works of Mr. Genlis[141] by the first
opportunity, and for me an exact copy of the departments of
France like that which I made, and which is in thy cabinet.
I wish thee to copy them for my brother-in-law.[142]

_John James Audubon to Claude Francois Rosier_

[Letter No. 6, addressed]

MONSIEUR FCCIS ROZIER,
Merchant
Nantes
p. Brig _Mentor_

NEW YORK, _May 30th, 1807_.

MR. FRANCIS ROZIER,
Merchant, Nantes.

DEAR SIR:

By my last, sent on board the ship _Ocean_, Capt. Bunken, I
apprised you of the arrival of the gloves and lace, shipped
by your order at Rochelle for the account of my good friend,
Benj. Bakewell. I can now inform you of their sale, which
is also advantageous, although the principal part was fine
and of very great price. The gloves in prices of 23# 28# D,
are what is needed for this market here, and especially if
they are of any other color than yellow or bottle green they
are less apt to soil; further they conceal defects more, and
find in consequence more purchasers. The laces were better,
although there was a heavy duty. You should know that here
the extravagance of the women equals or rather quite balances
the circumspection of the men, so that all articles for women
should be beautiful, that is to say, conspicuous. I await with
a kind of pleasure the arrival of Cap. Sammis, for although
I am convinced that the indigoes will meet with no success
at Nantes, their return here will compensate us. I am sorry
that I did not order from you some little pistols and the
guns which would serve perfectly. Believe nothing as to Mr.
Bakewell, and be well assured that he is our friend. Have then
less fear: I hope shortly to consign, that is to say, Mr.
B. B. will consign for us, coffee and sugar from Martinique
to your address. Your son is still at Philadelphia with Mr.
Huron. They have sold the wines quite well.

But in truth I have been astonished that Mr. Huron did not
make you an immediate return. I thank you sincerely for the
little package that you said had been prepared for us. Be sure
that Mr. B. B. will aid us to a sufficient degree, and always
in a way that anything which you send us will be promptly
returned in merchandise assigned to you. The land, which we
cannot sell without a great disadvantage, keeps us very short
of cash, and prevents us for the moment from dealing on as
large a scale as we should desire; but with your kindness in
sending us the materials for starting a grand retail shop with
different articles, it will aid us very much. As you well say,
it is a little unfortunate that there is no longer a boat from
your port here.

I write to my father by the same opportunity. Will you, I
pray, get it to him as soon as possible, and I beg you to go
aboard for the live birds for him and for you.

Present my respects to your good family, and believe me for
ever

Your faithful friend and
servant

AUDUBON.

I should be very happy if you would send me a good box
of pastels, chosen by Mr. Belloc, the younger, at 2 c 3
Louis.[143]

_John James Audubon to Claude François Rozier_

[Letter No. 7, addressed]
MONSIEUR FR. ROZIER,
Negociant,
Nantes.
Loire Inférieure.

NEW YORK, _July 19, 1807_.

DEAR SIR:

Mr. Benjamin Bakewell as well as myself have received your
letters by the _Comet_, which had a passage of 42 days.
We have at present in the warehouse a great part of the
merchandise of the latter [vessel], and in good condition;
Mr. B. B. appears to be satisfied; he is about to send some
teas that you have ordered from him. It has grieved me much
to see him send a boat to Nantes, and not consigned to you,
but his reasons were, I believe, so sound that I did not dare
remonstrate. The agents of the house of Rossel and Boudet
paid him the ⅔ of the invoice, or a draft upon London for an
equivalent sum, that neither Ferdinand nor I were authorized
to do; the latter is at Philadelphia. In a short time we are
leaving for a voyage upon the Ohio, the details of which you
will learn [from him], or from my father, and which I believe
will be very advantageous to us. We hope to sell Mill Grove
this autumn, which we shall do, however, only at a profit.
We received this morning a letter from Mr. Fleury Emery, who
urges Mr. B. B. to give him some shipments, but regarding this
I do not know his intentions. I have also received a letter
to-day from our friend, Fd, who is quite well, and longs to
be doing something.

Mr. Emery advises me of the receipt of a little box of seeds
for my father and you. I think that your gardens are now
embellished with foreign trees.

Mr. B. B. is loading tea for you, a thing that gives me much
pleasure. I am sending you a letter from Ferdinand that I
received yesterday. Presenting you as well as your whole
amiable family with humble respects,

I continue to be
your faithful servant,

AUDUBON.

My regards, I pray to you, to my cousin, the younger.

Audubon's loyalty to his kind-hearted employer is evident in every one of these amiable letters, yet it is plain that they were written upon his own initiative, and a merchant of today might seriously object to such a candid exposition of his dealings as young Audubon's friendly epistles occasionally revealed.

The numerous references which these letters contain regarding the disposition of the "Mill Grove" farm may well puzzle the reader who has followed the story to this point; we must therefore attempt to unravel the tangled threads of this intricate affair. In the spring of 1807 Audubon, who was then anxious to start a "retail shop," complained that the land, which could not be sold to advantage, kept them short of capital and prevented them from dealing on so large a scale as they could wish. On the 24th of April he wrote that three weeks before he had gone to "Mill Grove" and closed an agreement for renting the property (evidently referring to the farm as distinct from the mine) for a year, being unable to do better, and that Ferdinand was then in Philadelphia trying to settle his father's accounts with Dacosta, who did not readily forget his trickster's _rôle_. In Audubon's letter of the same day, inclosed in the same packet with the request that it be delivered to his father, there is a similar reference, with the note that Ferdinand, who had charge of the settlement, had chosen Mr. Huron as arbitrator, but that he would not agree unless honest Miers Fisher had a part in it. Finally, as late as the 19th of July of that year he wrote to Rozier, the elder, that they were hoping to sell "Mill Grove" in the autumn, but would do so only at a good profit; yet at this time the property had been out of their possession, technically at least, for nearly a year.

Still more curious is this statement in Audubon's autobiography,[144] relating to the year 1813; "I bought a wild horse, and on its back travelled over Tennessee and a portion of Georgia, and so round till I finally reached Philadelphia, and then to your grandfather's at Fatland Ford. He had sold my plantation of Mill Grove to Samuel Wetherill, of Philadelphia, for a good round sum, and with this I returned through Kentucky and at last reached Henderson once more."

When "Mill Grove" was conditionally sold to Dacosta and his mining company in September, 1806, he gave a mortgage and bond to Miers Fisher, who again became Lieutenant Audubon's agent. Many months elapsed before the necessary legal papers could arrive from France, and meanwhile Dacosta's yearly accounts were contested, and gave no end of trouble.[145]

After operating the lead mine for five years, Dacosta's company failed, and "Mill Grove" again passed into other hands; it was finally sold to Samuel Wetherill in 1813.[146] If our inferences are correct, the mortgages by which the Audubon and Rozier interests were protected were repeatedly transferred, and the first considerable amount of ready money that had appeared in the entire series of transactions was furnished by Mr. Wetherill. It is doubtful if Jean Audubon ever received any returns from his American farm after the advent of Dacosta in 1803. The ultimate failure of the lead mine was assuredly not the fault of this exploiter, but his dubious methods of accounting and probable failure to keep his contracts no doubt led the naturalist to denounce him as a swindler.

It may be recalled that in their "Articles of Association" Audubon and Rozier had agreed that the house at "Mill Grove" should be "an object separate from all business, in order that we may control this property as long as we desire," but the conditional sale to Dacosta apparently included the farmhouse as well as the land.

Many of Audubon's references to "Mill Grove" were apparently wide of the mark, but viewed in the light which we have endeavored to shed upon this involved affair, they would be in harmony with the essential truth; in writing to the elder Rozier, who became a partner in the enterprise, there was no motive which could have led him to depart from it.[147]

We will now return to the story of Audubon's life in New York. While he was supposed to be learning the exporting business with Benjamin Bakewell, his heart was in the woods and fields, and every hour that could be snatched from the counting-room found him in the pursuit of birds or drawing their portraits. He used the pencil and black crayon point combined with pastels, and while much of his artistic work at this time was hastily done, he was capable of producing excellent likenesses. A very delicate drawing of the Wood Thrush, signed with his initials, and dated at "Mill Grove, Pennsylvania, 14 _aout_, 1806," is numbered 209, showing that his collection of American birds was already extensive, even if it did not include many that were well known. In the winter of 1806-7, while in New York, Audubon paid most attention to the waterfowl, frequently visiting the shore and the markets for his subjects. The sketches which he then made were all in full size, and, as an evidence of the rapidity with which he worked, it may be noticed that he would often complete two or more large drawings of ducks on the same day. New York at this time was a city of about 75,000 people; Audubon said that by walking briskly he could pass from one end to the other in a few minutes.

In the foregoing letters we have seen young Audubon sending seeds and live birds to his father and to Francois Rozier, and reptiles and dried plants to Charles d'Orbigny, and ordering for his own use the best drawing materials from France. While at New York he had the good fortune to become a friend and _protégé_ of the most distinguished naturalist of the metropolis, Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell,[148] eminent in many walks of life, and at that time a member of the United States Senate. Audubon prepared many birds and mammals for Dr. Mitchell's collections, and the friendship thus early formed proved of much service to him later. He was probably working for Dr. Mitchell when, as the story goes, some of his neighbors lodged a complaint with the municipal authorities on account of the strong odors that habitually issued from his workroom, and a constable was sent to investigate.

Audubon remained in New York as late as August 22, 1807, for on that day he made a drawing of the "Sprig-tail Duck," but without doubt he had come to feel the incongruity of his position in a business to which his heart was a stranger. As an instance of his preoccupation at this time, he confesses to have once forwarded but forgot to seal a letter containing $8,000. If Benjamin Bakewell failed to make a business man out of Audubon, it was not from lack of kindness, and probably no one else would have been more successful. As it happened, Audubon did not leave his employer any too soon, for at the close of 1807 Benjamin Bakewell's exporting business was ruined by the Embargo Act, through which President Jefferson had hoped to bring Great Britain and France to terms by cutting off their American trade, and for a year or more his estate was in the hands of creditors for settlement.

The naturalist has left a characteristic sketch of himself at this time: "I measured," said he, "five feet, ten and one half inches, was of fair mien, and quite a handsome figure; large, dark, and rather sunken eyes, light-colored eyebrows, aquiline nose and a fine set of teeth; hair, fine texture and luxuriant, divided and passing down behind each ear in luxuriant ringlets as far as the shoulders." The habit of wearing his hair long, thus early acquired and later favored by his wandering mode of life, appears to have lasted more than twenty years.