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 1 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 war- 



1 For the privilege of examining Ferdinand Rozier's copy of their 

 "Articles of Association" I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. Charles 

 A. Rozier, of Saint Louis. This is written on three sides of hand-made, 

 hand-ruled Government linen, small letter size, with printed revenue stamp 

 (50 centimes) of the French Republic at top, and stamped with the 

 seal of the Department of Registration and Stamps ("ADM. DES DOM. 

 DE L'ENREG. ET DU TIMBRE REP. FR A.— Administration des 

 domaines de l'e~iregistrement et du timbre, Republique Frangaise"). The 

 signature of "Jean Audubon" bears a close resemblance to that of the 

 father, Lieutenant Jean Audubon, who was undoubtedly the author of 

 the document. For the "Articles" in full, in French and English, see 

 Appendix I, Documents Nos. 9 and 9a. 



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