244 AUDUBON, THE NATURALIST 



swered promptly ; since I have heard news of you only by the 

 most indirect means, I would be happy if you can give a few 

 moments to your friends, if you would count me in their 

 number, and would write me from time to time; I left Phila- 

 delphia last month with my wife and son ; most of this time 

 was spent in descending the Ohio, which is at present very low ; 

 we had the barge and crew of G[en]l. Clark, with the com- 

 pany of Mr. R. A. Maupin, and of Mrs. Gait, who had spent 

 several months at New York & at Phil a . I shall probably de- 

 scend [the river] to New Orleans this autumn with N. Ber- 

 thoud ; [all kinds of] merchandise are extremely scarce and very 

 dear, everywhere, but even more is this true of coarse woolens, 

 which one does not find at all. 



I have no doubt your lead is selling very well, this article 

 having increased considerably [in value] since the war. In the 

 latter part of my stay in the East I received a letter from my 

 father, and one from your brother; all your family were then 

 well, that is, four months ago; your brother is very anxious 

 to hear from you ; if peace should come at a day not far remote 

 (and may it please God that this be so), I hope to get into 

 communication with him. 



I have written to him and I urge you to do the same ; your 

 letters can be delivered, if sent to New York, and from thence 

 on the Cartel. 6 My wife is well and [so is] my son ; may you 

 be the same, and count among the number of your friends him 

 who would esteem you always. 



Adieu 



J. Audubon. 



Addressed] Mr s F. Rozier s 

 Merch* 



St Genevieve 

 u.L. 



Friendly relations with his former partner in trade 

 were occasionally renewed by the naturalist in after life. 



"Boat for the exchange of prisoners of war. 



