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 * 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- 
*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 centimies) of the French Republic at top, and stamped with the 
seal of the Department of Registration and Stamps (““ADM. DES DOM. 
DE LVENREG. ET DU TIMBRE REP. FRA.—<Administration des 
domaines de Venregistrement et du timbre, République 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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