DACOSTA AND THE MINE 121 



We now return to Mr. David Ross, 8 who in his letter tells 

 a pack of lies. At the close of 1789 I presented myself at his 

 house with the power of attorney of Mr. Formon, 9 when we 

 settled the business of the "Count of Artois," and the "An- 

 nette." 10 There never has been, as he said, any dissolution of 

 the partnership between Mr. Formon and myself. I settled the 

 accounts at that time both with him and with Samuel Plais- 

 ance concerning these vessels, with the exception of a residue 

 of three thousand francs which are due me from Mr. Edward, 

 their associate, who died at London. When I asked him for 

 his certificates, he gave me for excuse that they were at the 

 iron factory above Richmond, and that he had given Mr. For- 

 mon a private obligation that he would be very glad to have 

 an exchange for the certificates. This affair has rested there 

 ever since, and according to his letter Mr. Formon has taken 

 out seven thousand, four hundred dollars, which exceeds his 

 share by 1,650 dollars. If the estate of Mr. Formon is not 

 without resources, it is to his heirs that you must apply for 

 this overdraft, and get from Mr. David Ross all that you can, 

 for with such people one cannot rely upon getting anything 

 except with iron hooks. 



The son-in-law of Mr. Formon doubtless will have found 

 among his papers all that constitutes the legal basis of my 

 portion; his certificates, his letter of attorney prove it, and 

 this is a title, and I believe that I have proofs by accounts 

 current. I salute you. 



8 This name appears as "Rost" in all the letters. 



9 Member of the firm of Audubon, Lacroix, Formon & Jacques, en- 

 gaged in the Santo Domingo trade (see Chapter II, p. 33). In these 

 letters the name usually appears as "Formont." 



10 Vessels in which Jean Audubon was personally interested, and upon 

 which he endeavored in vain to collect the money and interest due him 

 (see Vol. I, p. 34). In a document in English, dated [Les Cayes] April 9, 

 1782, concerning the Annette, of which Jean Audubon was captain and 

 part owner, and signed by him and David Ross & Company, it is stated 

 this vessel was bound for Nantes with a cargo of tobacco, in the purchase 

 and sale of which Captain Audubon was under orders of Mr. Ezekiel Ed- 

 wards of Nantes. 



