CHRONOLOGY XXIX 
1819 
After repeated change of partners, the mill enterprise fails, 
and Audubon goes to Louisville jail for debt; declares him- 
self a bankrupt, and saves only his clothes, his drawings 
and gun. Resorts to doing crayon portraits at Shipping- 
port and Louisville, where he is immediately successful. 
1819-1820 
At Cincinnati, to fill an appointment as taxidermist in the 
Western Museum, just founded by Dr. Daniel Drake; set- 
tles with his family and works three or four months, at a 
salary of $125 a month; then returns to portraits, and 
starts a drawing school. 
1820 
Decides to publish his “Ornithology,” and all his activities are 
now directed to this end. 
October 12.—Leaves his family, and with Joseph R. Mason, as 
pupil-assistant, starts without funds on a long expedition 
down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, to New Orleans, 
hoping to visit Arkansas, and intending to explore the 
country for birds, while living by his talents: from this 
time keeps a regular journal and works systematically. 
1821 
January 7.—Enters New Orleans with young Mason without 
enough money to pay for a night’s lodging. 
February 17.—Sends his wife 20 drawings, including the famous 
Turkey Hen, Great-footed Hawk, and White-headed 
Eagle. 
Obtains a few drawing pupils; is recommended by John Vander- 
lyn and Governor Robertson, but lives from hand to mouth 
until June 16, when Audubon and Mason leave for Ship- 
pingport; a fellow passenger, Mrs. James Pirrie, of West 
Feliciana, offers Audubon a position as tutor to her daugh- 
ter, and with Mason he settles on her plantation at St. 
Francisville, Bayou Sara, where he remains nearly five 
months ; some of his finest drawings are made at this time. 
