Audubon The Naturalist: A History Of His Life And Time. - free ebook by Francis Hobart Herrick

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Audubon The Naturalist: A History Of His Life And Time.

Francis Hobart Herrick

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199 chapters

AUDUBON THE NATURALIST

AUDUBON THE NATURALIST

John J. Audubon AFTER THE RARE ENGRAVING BY C. TURNER, A.R.A., OF THE MINIATURE PAINTED BY FREDERICK CRUIKSHANK, ABOUT 1831; PUBLISHED FOR THE ENGRAVER BY ROBERT HAVELL, LONDON, 1835. AUDUBON THE NATURALIST A HISTORY OF HIS LIFE AND TIME BY FRANCIS HOBART HERRICK, Ph.D., Sc.D. PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY IN WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, AUTHOR OF "THE HOME LIFE OF WILD BIRDS," ETC. IN TWO VOLUMES ILLUSTRATED VOLUME I D. APPLETON AND COMPANY NEW YORK LONDON 1917 VOLUME I D. APPLETON AND C

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PREFACE

PREFACE

In June and July, 1914, Dr. Laubscher had repeatedly applied to the French Foreign Office, through the American Embassy at Paris, for permission to examine the dossier of Jean Audubon in the archives of the Department of the Marine, in order to verify certain dates in his naval career and to obtain the personal reports which he submitted upon his numerous battles at sea, but at that period of strain it was impossible to gain further access to the papers sought. Having told the story of the way i

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1800

1800

October 23 (1 brumaire, an 9). —Baptized, Jean Jacques Fougère, at Nantes, when in his sixteenth year....

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1802-1803

1802-1803

Studies drawing for a brief period under Jacques Louis David, at Paris....

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1803

1803

First return to America, at eighteen, to learn English and enter trade: settles at "Mill Grove" farm, near Philadelphia, where he spends a year and begins his studies of American birds....

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1804

1804

December 15. —Half-interest in "Mill Grove" acquired by Francis Dacosta, who begins to exploit its lead mine; he also acts as guardian to young Audubon, who becomes engaged to Lucy Green Bakewell; quarrel with Dacosta follows....

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1805

1805

January 12-15 (?).—Walks to New York, where Benjamin Bakewell supplies him with passage money to France. January 18 (about).—Sails on the Hope for Nantes, and arrives about March 18. A year spent at "La Gerbetière," in Couëron, where he hunts birds with D'Orbigny and makes many drawings, and at Nantes, where plans are made for his return, with Ferdinand Rozier, to America....

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1806

1806

Enters the French navy at this time, or earlier, but soon withdraws. March 23. —A business partnership is arranged with Ferdinand Rozier, and Articles of Association are signed at Nantes. April 12. —Sails with Rozier on the Polly , Captain Sammis, and lands in New York on May 26. They settle at "Mill Grove" farm, where they remain less than four months, meanwhile making unsuccessful attempts to operate the lead mine on the property. September 15. —Remaining half interest in "Mill Grove" farm and

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1806-1807

1806-1807

Serves as clerk in Benjamin Bakewell's commission house in New York, but continues his studies and drawings of birds, and works for Dr. Mitchell's Museum....

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1807

1807

With Rozier decides to embark in trade in Kentucky. August 1. —They purchase their first stock of goods in New York. August 31. —Starts with Rozier for Louisville, where they open a pioneer store. Their business suffers from the Embargo Act....

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1808

1808

June 12. —Married to Lucy Bakewell at "Fatland Ford," her father's farm near Philadelphia, and returns with his bride to Louisville....

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1809

1809

June 12. —Victor Gifford Audubon born at Gwathway's hotel, the "Indian Queen," in Louisville....

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1810

1810

March. —Alexander Wilson, pioneer ornithologist, visits Audubon at Louisville. Moves down river with Rozier to Redbanks (Henderson), Kentucky. December. —Moves with Rozier again, and is held up by ice at the mouth of the Ohio and at the Great Bend of the Mississippi, where they spend the winter....

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1811

1811

Reaches Sainte Geneviève, Upper Louisiana (Missouri), in early spring. April 6. —Dissolves partnership with Rozier, and returns to Henderson afoot. Joins in a commission business with his brother-in-law, Thomas W. Bakewell. December. —Meets Vincent Nolte when returning to Louisville from the East, and descends the Ohio in his flatboat....

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1812

1812

The annus mirabilis in Kentucky, marked by a series of earthquakes, which begins December 16, 1811, and furnishes material for "Episodes." Commission house of Audubon and Bakewell is opened by the latter in New Orleans, but is quickly suppressed by the war, which breaks out in June. Spring. —Starts a retail store, on his own account, at Henderson. November 30. —John Woodhouse Audubon, born at "Meadow Brook" farm, Dr. Adam Rankin's home near Henderson....

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1812-1813

1812-1813

Storekeeping at Henderson, where he purchases four town lots and settles down....

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1816

1816

March 16. —Enters into another partnership with Bakewell; planning to build a steam grist- and sawmill at Henderson, they lease land on the river front....

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1817

1817

Thomas W. Pears joins the partnership, and the steam mill, which later became famous, is erected. (After long disuse or conversion to other purposes, "Audubon's Mill" was finally burned to the ground on March 18, 1913.)...

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1818

1818

Summer. —Receives a visit from Constantine Samuel Rafinesque, who becomes the subject of certain practical jokes, at zoölogy's future expense, and figures in a later "Episode."...

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1819

1819

After repeated change of partners, the mill enterprise fails, and Audubon goes to Louisville jail for debt; declares himself a bankrupt, and saves only his clothes, his drawings and gun. Resorts to doing crayon portraits at Shippingport and Louisville, where he is immediately successful....

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1819-1820

1819-1820

At Cincinnati, to fill an appointment as taxidermist in the Western Museum, just founded by Dr. Daniel Drake; settles 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....

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1820

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....

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1821

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 Vanderlyn and Governor Robertson, but lives from hand to mouth until June 16, when Audubon and Mason leave for Shippingport; a fellow passenger, Mrs. James Pirrie, of West Feliciana, offers Audubon a position as tutor to her daugh

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1822

1822

March 16. —To Natchez with Mason, paying their passage by doing portraits of the captain and his wife; while on the way finds that many of his drawings have been seriously damaged by gunpowder; teaches French, drawing and dancing at Natchez, and Washington, Mississippi. July 23. —Parts with Mason, after giving him his gun, paper and chalks, with which to work his way north. September. —Mrs. Audubon, who was acting as governess in a family at New Orleans, joins him at Natchez, where she obtains a

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1823

1823

January. —Mrs. Audubon is engaged by the Percys, of West Feliciana parish, Louisiana, and starts a private school at "Beechwoods," belonging to their plantation, in St. Francisville, where she remains five years. March. —Audubon leaves Natchez with John Stein and Victor on a painting tour of the South, but meeting with little success, they disband at New Orleans; visits his wife, and spends part of summer in teaching her pupils music and drawing. Adrift again; both he and Victor are taken ill wi

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1823-1824

1823-1824

Winter spent at Shippingport, where Victor becomes a clerk to his uncle, Nicholas A. Berthoud. Paints portraits, panels on river boats, and even street signs, to earn a living....

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1824

1824

To Philadelphia, to find patrons or a publisher; thwarted; is advised to take his drawings to Europe, where the engraving could be done in superior style; befriended by Charles L. Bonaparte, Edward Harris, Richard Harlan, Mr. Fairman, and Thomas Sully, who gives him free tuition in oils. August 1. —Starts for New York, with letters to Gilbert Stuart, Washington Allston, and Samuel L. Mitchell; is kindly received and made a member of the Lyceum of Natural History. August 15. —To Albany, Rochester

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1825-1826

1825-1826

Teaches at St. Francisville, and gives dancing lessons at Woodville, Mississippi, to raise funds to go to Europe....

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1826

1826

May 17. —Sails with his drawings on the cotton schooner Delos , bound for Liverpool, where he lands, a total stranger, on July 21. In less than a week is invited to exhibit his drawings at the Royal Institution, and is at once proclaimed as a great American genius. Exhibits at Manchester, but with less success. Plans to publish his drawings, to be called The Birds of America , in parts of five plates each, at 2 guineas a part, all to be engraved on copper, to the size of life, and colored after

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1827

1827

February 3. —Exhibits the first number of his engraved plates at the Royal Institution of Edinburgh. March 17. —Issues his "Prospectus," when two numbers of his Birds are ready. April 5. —Starts for London with numerous letters to distinguished characters and obtains subscriptions on the way. May 21. —Reaches London, and exhibits his plates before the Linnæan and Royal Societies, which later elect him to fellowship. Lizars throws up the work after engraving ten plates, and it is transferred to L

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1828

1828

March. —Visits Cambridge and Oxford Universities; though well received, is disappointed at the number of subscribers secured, especially at Oxford. September 1. —To Paris with William Swainson; remains eight weeks, and obtains 13 subscribers; his work is eulogized by Cuvier before the Academy of Natural Sciences, and he receives the personal subscription, as well as private commissions, from the Duke of Orleans, afterwards known as Louis Philippe....

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1829

1829

April 1. —Sails from Portsmouth on his first return to America from England, for New York, where he lands on May 1. Summer. —Drawing birds at Great Egg Harbor, New Jersey. September. —To Mauch Chunk, and paints for six weeks at a lumberman's cottage in the Great Pine Woods. October. —Down the Ohio to Louisville, where he meets his two sons, one of whom he had not seen for five years; thence to St. Francisville, Bayou Sara, where he joins his wife, from whom he had been absent nearly three years.

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1830

1830

January 1. —Starts with his wife for Europe, first visiting New Orleans, Louisville, Cincinnati, Baltimore, and Washington, where he meets the President, Andrew Jackson, and is befriended by Edward Everett, who becomes one of his first American subscribers. April 1. —Sails with Mrs. Audubon from New York for Liverpool. Settles in London; takes his seat in the Royal Society, to which he was elected on the 19th of March; resumes his painting, and in midsummer starts with his wife on a canvassing t

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1831-1839

1831-1839

The Ornithological Biography , in five volumes, published at Edinburgh, and partly reissued in Philadelphia and Boston....

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1831-1834

1831-1834

In America, exploring the North and South Atlantic coasts for birds....

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1831

1831

March. —First volume of the Ornithological Biography published, representing the text of the first 100 double-elephant folio plates. April 15. —Returns with his wife to London. May-July. —Visits Paris again in the interests of his publications. August 2. —Starts with his wife on his second journey from England to America, and lands in New York on September 4. Plans to visit Florida with two assistants, and obtains promise of aid from the Government. October-November. —At Charleston, South Caroli

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1832

1832

April 15. —In revenue cutter Marion begins exploration of the east coast of Florida; proceeds to Key West, and later returns to Savannah and Charleston. Rejoins his family at Philadelphia, and goes to Boston; there meets Dr. George Parkman, and makes many friends. August. —Explores the coasts of Maine and New Brunswick, and ascends the St. John River for birds. Returns to Boston, and sends his son Victor to England to take charge of his publications....

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1832-1833

1832-1833

Winter. —In Boston, where he is attacked by a severe illness induced by overwork; quickly recovers and plans expedition to Labrador....

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1833

1833

June 6. —Sails from Eastport for the Labrador with five assistants, including his son, John Woodhouse Audubon, in the schooner Ripley chartered at his own expense. August 31. —Returns to Eastport laden with spoils, including few new birds but many drawings. September 7. —Reaches New York and plans an expedition to Florida. September 25. —Visits Philadelphia and is arrested for debt, an echo of his business ventures in Kentucky; obtains subscribers at Baltimore, and in Washington meets Washington

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1834

1834

The number of his American subscribers reaches 62. April 16. —Sails with his wife and son on the packet North America from New York to England with large collections. Settles again in Edinburgh, and begins second volume of his Biography , which is published in December....

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1835

1835

Many drawings, papers and books lost by fire in New York. Part of summer, autumn and winter in Edinburgh, where the third volume of his Ornithological Biography is issued in December....

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1836

1836

Audubon's two sons, who have become his assistants, tour the Continent for five months, traveling and painting. August 2. —Sails from Portsmouth on his third journey from England to the United States; lands in New York on Sept. 6 and canvasses the city. September 13. —Hurries to Philadelphia to obtain access to the Nuttall-Townsend collection of birds, recently brought from the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Coast; is rebuffed, and bitter rivalries ensue; Edward Harris offers to buy the collection

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1836-1837

1836-1837

Winter. —Spent with Bachman at Charleston, in waiting for his promised vessel; makes drawings of Nuttall's and Townsend's birds, and plans for a work on the Quadrupeds of North America ....

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1837

1837

Spring. —Starts overland with Edward Harris and John W. Audubon for New Orleans; there meets the revenue cutter Campbell , and in her and her tender, the Crusader , the party proceeds as far as Galveston, Texas; visits President Sam Houston. May 18. —Leaves for New Orleans, and on June 8 reaches Charleston. John Woodhouse Audubon is married to Bachman's eldest daughter, Maria Rebecca. To Washington, and meets President Martin Van Buren. July 16. —Sails with his son and daughter-in-law on the pac

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1838

1838

June 20. —Eighty-seventh part of The Birds of America published, thus completing the fourth volume and concluding the work, which was begun at Edinburgh in the autumn of 1826. Summer. —By way of a holiday celebration tours the Highlands of Scotland with his family and William MacGillivray. Autumn. —To Edinburgh, where, with the assistance of MacGillivray, the fourth volume of his Biography is issued in November....

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1839

1839

May. —Fifth and concluding volume of the Ornithological Biography is published at Edinburgh. A Synopsis of the Birds of North America , which immediately follows, brings his European life and labors to a close. Late summer. —Returns with his family to New York, and settles at 86 White Street. Victor, who preceded his father to America, is married to Mary Eliza Bachman. Projects at once a small or "miniature" edition of his Ornithology , and begins work on the Quadrupeds . Collaboration of Bachma

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1840-1844

1840-1844

First octavo edition of The Birds of America is published at Philadelphia, in seven volumes, with lithographic, colored plates and meets with unprecedented success; issued to subscribers in 100 parts, of five plates each with text, at one dollar a part....

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1840

1840

June. —Begins a correspondence with young Spencer F. Baird, which leads to an intimate friendship of great mutual benefit, Baird discovering new birds and sending him many specimens....

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1841

1841

Purchases land on the Hudson, in Carmansville, at the present 157th Street, and begins to build a house. July 29. —Writes to Spencer F. Baird that he was then as anxious about the publication of the Quadrupeds as he ever was about procuring birds....

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1842

1842

April. —Occupies his estate, now included in the realty section of upper New York City called Audubon Park, which he deeded to his wife and named for her "Minnie's Land." September 12. —Starts on a canvassing tour of Canada, going as far north as Quebec, and returns well pleased with his success, after spending a month and traveling 1,500 miles. Plans for his western journey nearly completed....

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1843

1843

March 11. —At fifty-eight, sets out with four companions for the region of the Upper Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, but is unable to attain his long desired goal, the Rocky Mountains. November. —Returns with many new birds and mammals....

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1845-1846

1845-1846

The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America , in collaboration with the Rev. John Bachman, issued to subscribers in 30 parts of five plates each, without letterpress, making two volumes, imperial folio, at $300.00. John W. Audubon, traveling in Texas, to collect materials for his father's work....

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1845

1845

Engrossed with drawings of the Quadrupeds , in which he receives efficient aid from his sons. July 19. —Copper plates of The Birds of America injured by fire in New York. December 24. —Bachman, his collaborator, issues ultimatum through Harris, but work on the Quadrupeds , which had come to a stand, is resumed....

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1846-1847

1846-1847

John W. Audubon in England, painting subjects for the illustration of the Quadrupeds of North America ....

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1846-1854

1846-1854

The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America , in collaboration with John Bachman, published in three volumes, octavo, text only, by J. J. and V. G. Audubon; volume i (1847) only appeared during the naturalist's lifetime....

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1847

1847

Audubon's powers begin to weaken and rapidly fail....

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1848

1848

February 8. —John W. Audubon joins a California company organized by Colonel James Watson Webb, and starts for the gold fields, but his party meets disaster in the valley of the Rio Grande; he leads a remnant to their destination and returns in the following year....

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1851

1851

January 27. —Jean Jacques Fougère Audubon dies at "Minnie's Land," before completing his sixty-sixth year. AUDUBON THE NATURALIST...

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CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

Audubon was one of those rare spirits whose posthumous fame has grown with the years. He did one thing in particular, that of making known to the world the birds of his adopted land, and did it so well that his name will be held in everlasting remembrance. His great folios are now the property of the rich or of those fortunate institutions which have either received them by gift or were enrolled among his original subscribers, and wherever found they are treasured as the greatest of show books.

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CHAPTER II JEAN AUDUBON AND HIS FAMILY

CHAPTER II JEAN AUDUBON AND HIS FAMILY

Les Sables, at the time of which we speak, was a small fishing and trading port on the Bay of Biscay, fifty miles to the southwest of Nantes, but is now become a city of over twenty thousand people. Lying on the westerly verge of the Marais, or salt marshes and lakes of La Vendée, the inhabitants of the district, and more particularly of the Bocage , or plantations, to the north and northeast, were noted from an early day for their conservatism, as shown in a firm adherence to ancient law and cu

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CHAPTER III JEAN AUDUBON AS SANTO DOMINGO PLANTER AND MERCHANT

CHAPTER III JEAN AUDUBON AS SANTO DOMINGO PLANTER AND MERCHANT

In a short time Jean Audubon had acquired an independent business of his own, both as a planter and merchant. He made his home at Les Cayes, but extended his enterprises to Saint Louis and possibly to other points. From this time onward he commonly described himself as négotiant , [28] or merchant, and his son, when writing to his father from America, addressed him in this way. His business letters and other documents of the period refer to his house at Les Cayes, his plantations of cane and his

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CHAPTER IV AUDUBON'S BIRTH, NATIONALITY, AND PARENTAGE

CHAPTER IV AUDUBON'S BIRTH, NATIONALITY, AND PARENTAGE

SECOND PAGE OF THE SANSON BILL, BEARING, IN THE ENTRY FOR APRIL 26, 1785, THE ONLY RECORD KNOWN TO EXIST OF THE DATE OF AUDUBON'S BIRTH. THIRD PAGE OF THE SANSON BILL, SIGNED AS ACCEPTED BY JEAN AUDUBON, OCTOBER 12, 1786, AND RECEIPTED BY THE DOCTOR, WHEN PAID, JUNE 7, 1787. This physician's chief resources are seen to have been ipecacuanha, purgative decoctions, including such as the tamarind tree provided, manna, mineral waters, lotions, plasters, and kino , an astringent juice derived from di

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CHAPTER V LIEUTENANT AUDUBON AS REVOLUTIONIST

CHAPTER V LIEUTENANT AUDUBON AS REVOLUTIONIST

That Jean Audubon moved his family out of Nantes during the revolutionary crisis is possible, and Couëron would have been available as a place of refuge. Many Nantais are known to have fled to Lorient on the coast of Brittany, where they found in the heroic youth Julien the ardent and fearless patriot who was destined to become the real savior of their stricken city. Young Julien denounced Carrier in his letters to Robespierre, and when one of these was intercepted, defied him in person. When hi

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CHAPTER VI School Days In France

CHAPTER VI School Days In France

Young Audubon could not have tasted much schooling before the outbreak of the Revolution, when he was seven years old, and but little after it, since this discipline practically terminated in 1802. His passionate love of nature, which was undoubtedly innate, was manifested at an early day. Living things of every description which he found by the banks of the Loire or along the stonewalls and hedgerows of Couëron gave him the greatest pleasure, but birds were his early favorites. These he soon be

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CHAPTER VII FIRST VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES, AND LIFE AT "MILL GROVE"

CHAPTER VII FIRST VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES, AND LIFE AT "MILL GROVE"

Mr. Miers Fisher, who evidently received a copy of this letter, no doubt considered his own family as good as the best, and in detaining young Audubon at his home, we must credit him with the desire of following the instructions thus received. "Mill Grove," which was finally reached in the spring of 1804, [82] was a new-found paradise to the young naturalist. Here, however, he was destined to spend but little over a year, though it was doubtless the happiest year of his life. The farm was then c

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Jean Audubon to Francis Dacosta

Jean Audubon to Francis Dacosta

[ Nantes , 1804-5] I told you to sell to W. Thomas the portion on the other side ... but your letter of the 27th of September with that of Mr. Miers Fisher, who is not in favor of it, has made me change my mind in the meantime. If your plan succeeds, as I wish it may, this part of the farm would become almost indispensable for exploitation [of the mine]. Moreover, has not Mr. W. Thomas intentions, which we do not know? Might it not be possible that in this very same part he had made more valuabl

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Jean Audubon to Francis Dacosta

Jean Audubon to Francis Dacosta

Nantes , le 19 ventose, an 13 9 March, 1805 Mr. Dacosta , Philadelphia: I have received at this very moment your duplicate of the twelfth of November, and your letter of December fifth, which is not so favorable for several reasons as the one preceding it, yet this impels us to hope that your last tunnel will not be a deserter, and that the oxides of iron which are present will not vanish upon further digging; this, at least, is my hope. You do well to make every effort to obtain associates. If

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Jean Audubon to Francis Dacosta

Jean Audubon to Francis Dacosta

Nantes , 14 June, 1805 To Mr. Dacosta , Philadelphia: I have received, at this very moment, your letter of the 8th of April. I have replied to your preceding by duplicate. Like yourself I am greatly astonished that you should not have received the contracts which I forwarded to you at once. I have reserved copies of these papers, which I have literally copied. If I had the least idea that they would not reach you, and that an accident had befallen the ship, I should forward them in duplicate, bu

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Jean Audubon to Francis Dacosta

Jean Audubon to Francis Dacosta

Nantes , 22 June, 1805 To Mr. Dacosta : I have just received your letter of April 23, and hasten to reply to it, in order to prove to you that not one of yours has been neglected, which could be readily seen by my copybook. I am not surprised that at this time you have not received your papers, because they cannot have left before the 10th or 15th of last March, having been held up by the embargoes and the bad weather, as you will see by the date of the letters which accompany them. They were en

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Gabriel du Puigaudeau to Charles M. d'Orbigny

Gabriel du Puigaudeau to Charles M. d'Orbigny

Your letter of the twenty-fifth of January reached me in due time. I am grieved to see that you are annoyed because I addressed you through the voice of the mayor of the town in which you live, since I had not the honor of knowing the mayor any more than the enmity which may exist between you; I was in duty bound to find out where you were; I heard it said that Esnaudes was your home and I wrote you more than a year ago; when I received no reply, the supposition was that I must have been misinfo

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Gabriel du Puigaudeau to J. Cornet

Gabriel du Puigaudeau to J. Cornet

Your honored [letter] of the sixteenth was duly received. It is impossible to be more grateful to you than I am for the information that you have been kind enough to give me about Mlle. Bouffard [110] as well as about M. Delouche. I will use it to my profit. As to the question that you put to me concerning M. d'Orbigny, I have the honor to tell you that he has lived in the commune of Vue in this department, and was highly esteemed and regretted when he left to come here. He lived here fifteen ye

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CHAPTER X "LA GERBETIÈRE" OF YESTERDAY AND TODAY

CHAPTER X "LA GERBETIÈRE" OF YESTERDAY AND TODAY

Upon Audubon's first return from the United States in the spring of 1805, he said that his vessel entered the mouth of the Loire and anchored off Paimbœuf, the lower harbor of Nantes. "On sending my name to the principal officer of the customs," the narrative continues, "he came on board, and afterwards sent me to my father's villa, La Gerbetière, in his barge and with his own men." It is to be noticed, incidentally, that as the distance to be covered between the lower and upper harbors was twen

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Ferdinand Rozier to Claude François Rozier

Ferdinand Rozier to Claude François Rozier

Philadelphia , 12 Sept., 1806 Duplicate. My very dear and venerable father : Still in hope of cherished news from you, and replies to my letters of 31 May, 22 June, and 4 July, I have to tell you that we have since succeeded in closing all our business relations with Mr. Francis Dacosta, in the following manner: We are anxious that our method of procedure may be satisfactory to you; we have followed the advice of Mr. Miers Fisher, and have had his approval in all that we have done. What should s

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John James Audubon to Claude François Rosier

John James Audubon to Claude François Rosier

New York , 10 January, 1807. Dear Sir : We have had the pleasure of receiving by the Penelope your consignment of 20 pieces of linen cloth, for which we send our thanks. As soon as we have sold them, we shall take great pleasure in making our return. I am truly sorry that you had not received any letters from us when you wrote, and I am also very disconsolate at having no news from my good father. You did us a most acceptable service in making us acquainted with your friends in different parts o

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John James Audubon to Claude François Rozier

John James Audubon to Claude François Rozier

New York , April 24, 1807. My dear Sir : I am profiting by a good opportunity for Bordeaux to apprise you of the receipt of a duplicate of the orders that you gave us several months ago. You will also know that the wines, consigned to Mr. L. Huron, have arrived in this city and the insurance has been saved. Your son has gone to the spot [the dock in Philadelphia], and by one of his letters advised me that the 60 cases of wine are sold. He tells me that you can count on a net profit of nearly 20

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John James Audubon to Jean Audubon

John James Audubon to Jean Audubon

New York April 24th 1807 My dear Father I send thee by a good opportunity, but going to Bordeaux I deed send about a month ago a small Box containing some very curious seeds &amp; some useful ones the whole was directed to Mr. Fleury Emery it was given here to the Care of Capt.. Roberts of the Virginia I do hope they are now in thy possession thou have been so often disappointed that it always pains me to think that they have been Miscarried: thou shalt found some of the Best Whatter Mission

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John James Audubon to Claude François Rozier

John James Audubon to Claude François Rozier

New York , May 6th, 1807 . Dear Sir : I wrote you recently by a ship going to Bordeaux; the letters were carefully intrusted, and I hope that they were received. I notified you of the arrival of the wines to the address of Mr. Huron of Philadelphia, and told you that part of the cases were sold. Your son informed me this morning that wine of so good quality ought never to be exported in cask, and that the profit would have been greater if the whole had been in case. Mr. Benjamin Bakewell has rec

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John James Audubon to Jean Audubon

John James Audubon to Jean Audubon

My dear Friend : Thou wilt find herewith a bill of lading of a small box containing nineteen species of seeds, a bottle of reptiles for Mr. Derbigny [D'Orbigny], and some dried plants also for the latter. I will write thee of Mr. Kauman, by the ship Mentor , which is to leave a little while after this one. Adieu, my good friend! The box will be addressed to Mr. Audubon, Md , [139] Nantes, with "American seeds" written above; besides two Bs, like this which follows [140] The Capn. promises me to

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John James Audubon to Claude Francois Rosier

John James Audubon to Claude Francois Rosier

New York , May 30th, 1807 . Mr. Francis Rozier , Merchant, Nantes. Dear Sir : By my last, sent on board the ship Ocean , Capt. Bunken, I apprised you of the arrival of the gloves and lace, shipped by your order at Rochelle for the account of my good friend, Benj. Bakewell. I can now inform you of their sale, which is also advantageous, although the principal part was fine and of very great price. The gloves in prices of 23# 28# D, are what is needed for this market here, and especially if they a

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John James Audubon to Claude François Rozier

John James Audubon to Claude François Rozier

New York , July 19, 1807 . Dear Sir : Mr. Benjamin Bakewell as well as myself have received your letters by the Comet , which had a passage of 42 days. We have at present in the warehouse a great part of the merchandise of the latter [vessel], and in good condition; Mr. B. B. appears to be satisfied; he is about to send some teas that you have ordered from him. It has grieved me much to see him send a boat to Nantes, and not consigned to you, but his reasons were, I believe, so sound that I did

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CHAPTER XII EARLY DRAWINGS IN FRANCE AND AMERICA

CHAPTER XII EARLY DRAWINGS IN FRANCE AND AMERICA

Audubon has said but little of this Paris experience, but he remarked: "At the age of seventeen when I returned from France, whither I had gone to receive the rudiments of my education, my drawings had assumed a form. David had guided my hand in tracing objects of large size." [151] An interesting sidelight is thrown upon this incident by the fact that, not many years before, David had been warmly welcomed in the city of Nantes, when it is not unlikely that the naturalist's father was one of the

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Thomas Bakewell to Audubon & Rozier

Thomas Bakewell to Audubon & Rozier

[At bottom of account sheet] New York , Decem r . 13 th. 1808 Gent n . I have now the pleasure to hand you your account current with my Father's Estate according to your desire as expressed in your letter to Mess Rob t . Kinder &amp; Co. under date the 21st. of Nov r . last. I cannot tell what error you allude to of $93. I suppose it is the amount of commission returned $93.94/100 which you will perceive is duly at your C r . in the a/c. I am sorry to say that the tobacco is still unsold &am

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William Bakewell to Audubon & Rozier

William Bakewell to Audubon & Rozier

Fatland Ford 10 Ap l 1810 I have at last settled the whole business with M r Jos h Williams I have allowed him for the two thirds in cash 3 per cent &amp; have emitted to Messrs Kinder's 7838.50 on your account.—The quantity was surveyed to 170 acres at 47.5 per acre 7998.50, from which was deducted 160 dol s for discount As I have had a great deal of trouble &amp; anxiety in this business &amp; had to find assistants in surveying with several days attendance, dinners &amp;c for

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CHAPTER XIV A MEETING OF RIVALS, AND A SKETCH OF ANOTHER PIONEER

CHAPTER XIV A MEETING OF RIVALS, AND A SKETCH OF ANOTHER PIONEER

At Pittsburgh Wilson met Audubon's old employer and relative by marriage, Benjamin Bakewell. The picture which he then drew [179] of that growing hive of industry will be read with interest: On arriving at the town, which stands on a low flat, and looks like a collection of Blacksmith shops, Glass houses, Breweries, Forges, and Furnaces, the Monongahela opened to the view on the left running along the bottom of a range of hills so high that the sun at this season sets to the town of Pittsburgh a

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John James Audubon to Ferdinand Rozier

John James Audubon to Ferdinand Rozier

Louisville , 2d November 1811 . Mr. F. Rozier St. Geneviève. My Dear Rozier ; I reached here on the 31st of last month a little fatigued, as you can well imagine. Yesterday I wrote to T. W. Bakewell at New Orleans, and doubt not he is sending you regularly the prices current of the market there. I have found here a letter addressed to my brother-in-law from Benj. Bakewell, who complains of us, and says that we ought to settle with him in one way or another; write to him at Pittsburgh; I will be

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John James Audubon to Ferdinand Rozier

John James Audubon to Ferdinand Rozier

Shippingport. 10th Augst. 1812 My Dear Rozier ;— As it is quite likely that the present opportunity is safe, I take pleasure in writing you a few words. Your letter sent to Philadelphia was duly received, and answered 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 Philadelphia last month with my wife and son; most of this t

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CHAPTER XVI AUDUBON'S MILL, AND FINAL REVERSES IN BUSINESS

CHAPTER XVI AUDUBON'S MILL, AND FINAL REVERSES IN BUSINESS

When at last he had obtained some ready money, Audubon rode to Louisville, where he purchased on the half-cash, half-credit basis a small stock of goods, and again set up a retail shop at Henderson. This modest venture promised so well that he bought land with the intention of making that town his permanent home. "I purchased," said he, "a ground-lot of four acres, and a meadow of four more at the back of the first." On the latter, to follow this account, were several buildings and an excellent

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CHAPTER XVII THE ENIGMA OF AUDUBON'S LIFE AND THE HISTORY OF HIS FAMILY IN FRANCE

CHAPTER XVII THE ENIGMA OF AUDUBON'S LIFE AND THE HISTORY OF HIS FAMILY IN FRANCE

At this juncture [of critical business affairs at Henderson], the father of Audubon died; but for some unfortunate cause he did not receive legal notice for more than a year. On becoming acquainted with the fact he traveled to Philadelphia to obtain funds, but was unsuccessful. His father had left him his property in France of La Gibitère [Gerbetière], and seventeen thousand dollars which had been deposited with a merchant in Richmond, Virginia. Audubon, however, took no steps to obtain possessi

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CHAPTER XVIII EARLY "EPISODES" OF WESTERN LIFE

CHAPTER XVIII EARLY "EPISODES" OF WESTERN LIFE

was mounted on a superb horse, for which he had paid three hundred dollars, and a servant on horseback led another as a change. I was then an utter stranger to him, and when I approached and praised his horse, he not very courteously observed that he wished I had as good a one. Finding that he was going to Bedford to spend the night, I asked him what hour he would get there: "Just soon enough to have some trouts ready for our supper, provided you will join when you get there." I almost imagined

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CHAPTER XIX AUDUBON AND RAFINESQUE

CHAPTER XIX AUDUBON AND RAFINESQUE

The "M. de T." of this episode was Constantine Samuel Rafinesque, in many respects the most singular figure that has ever appeared in the annals of American science. Although young in years, for Rafinesque was then but thirty-five, he was already old in experience and that of the bitterest sort; and although already known to many in both hemispheres, he had few friends. It is certain that neither Audubon nor anyone else in that part of Kentucky had ever heard of him before. Born in Constantinopl

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CHAPTER XX AUDUBON'S ÆNEID, 1819-1824: WANDERINGS THROUGH THE WEST AND SOUTH

CHAPTER XX AUDUBON'S ÆNEID, 1819-1824: WANDERINGS THROUGH THE WEST AND SOUTH

At Shippingport Audubon was welcomed by his brother-in-law, Nicholas A. Berthoud. Wasting no time in vain regrets, he began doing portraits in crayon, and with such success that he was able to rent a modest apartment and have his family about him again. From no charges for his tentative efforts the price was gradually raised until he received five dollars or more a head; with the spread of his fame orders filled his hands, and he was called long distances to take likenesses of the dying or even

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Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell to Dr. Barnes

Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell to Dr. Barnes

Mr. A. who brings strong testimonial of excellence from our friends in Pha is now sitting with me—I have been delighted and instructed by a Display of his Port Folio containing Drawings Done from Life of North American Birds and illustrating the Connect, of ornithology with Botany. he has Superior attainments &amp; skill in the natural sciences which he has cultivated for more than 20 y. he wishes to show his Elegant performances to the Members of the Lyceum and to be made a Member of that S

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Audubon to Thomas Sully

Audubon to Thomas Sully

My reception in New York has surpassed my hopes. I have been most kindly [received], and had I seen Col. Trumball, I would have found him the gentleman you represented, but his absence at Saratoga Springs has deprived me of that pleasure. New York is now an immense city. Strangers are received here with less reserve generally than at Philadelphia. I found the Academy well supplied with paintings, and sculptures of the Greek masters. The steam boats of the Sweet Ohio, with all their swiftness of

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Audubon to Edward Harris

Audubon to Edward Harris

Beechwoods. Near Bayou Sara, La. Jany. 31 1825. Surely I have not dismerited your esteem; when on the Lakes, both Ontario and Champlain, I wrote to you—again from Pittsburgh, all without any answer, and I am sorry to say that I have been either abandoned or forgotten by all those other persons who had promised to keep up a correspondence with me.... The country I visited was new, in great measure, to me. I have been delighted with the tour, but will forever regret that your sister's indispositio

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Edward Holden to George Ramsden

Edward Holden to George Ramsden

New Orleans , May 26th., 1826 . The present will be handed to you by Mr. J. J. Audubon of this city, whom most respectfully I beg to introduce to you. The principal object of Mr. Audubon's visit to England is to make arrangements for the publication of an extensive and very valuable collection of his drawings in Natural History, chiefly if not wholly of American Birds, and he takes them with him for that purpose. Can you be of any assistance to him by letters to Manchester and London? If you can

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Louis P. Caire to General Lafayette

Louis P. Caire to General Lafayette

New Orleans , 15 May, 1826 . My dear General , Monsieur Audubon, after having spent twenty-two years in the United States, is returning to Europe in order to publish a work to which he has devoted his entire life. This distinguished ornithologist, who bears letters from the most eminent citizens of the Union, will find, I trust, the encouragement to which his talents and his perseverance so fully entitle him, and however flattering may be the recommendations which his friends are eager to give h

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Audubon to his Wife

Audubon to his Wife

Edinburgh March 12 th , 1827 . My Dearest Friend I am now proud that I can announce thee the result of the last meeting of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. I was unanimously elected a Foreign Member of that Institution on the 5 t.h. Instant and am at last an F. R. S..—Wilt thou not think it wonderful; to me it is like a dream, and quite as much so when I see the particular attentions paid me by all ranks of the best Society. On the 6 t.h. I received the official Letter from the Secretary with the

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Basil Hall to John Murray

Basil Hall to John Murray

John Murray Esqr Audubon carried also a long letter from "Mr. Hay," [343] dated at "16 Athol Crescent, Edinburgh, 15 March, 1827," and addressed to the care of his brother, Robert William Hay, of Downing Street, West, in which this curious statement occurs: "Mr. A. is son of the late French Admiral Audubon, but has himself lived from the cradle in the United States, having been born in one of the French colonies." The document which was to prove of greatest service to him, however, was addressed

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Sir J. W. Waller to Audubon

Sir J. W. Waller to Audubon

Saturday 9 o clock [1830]. I have scarce an Instant as I am going to Town to breakfast with the Dk. of Gloucester, but yr. Letter is urgent &amp; therefore I can only desire Mr. A. to send his Number immediately to the Stable Yard, directed to her Majesty, &amp; the first moment I can see her , I will speak on the subject, but at this Moment I will not promise to mention it to the King for reasons I cannot put on paper. Yrs. ever, J. W. Waller At Edinburgh Audubon was alarmed to find tha

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Audubon to William Swainson

Audubon to William Swainson

London , April 9th 1828 . My Dear Sir , Mr. Loudon called on me yesterday and showed me a letter from you to him, in which many very flattering expressions respecting myself and my works you are so kind as to offer to review the latter so as to have your opinion in writting in time for the first no. of the magazine that will appear next month.—you also desire that I should send you a sett of the works as far as publishing which you wish to keep provided I will let you have it at the price it cos

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Audubon to William Swainson

Audubon to William Swainson

London , July 1st 1828 . My dear Sir. — I have been expecting to have the pleasure of seeing you for upwards of a week, having mentioned in your last note that you intended spending a couple of days in London before the end of June.—When are you coming?—the beautifull lamb came quite safe and is now on the canvas (in efigy) for ages to come—I bought a superb Golden Eagle from Mr. Cross that also has helped to fill it —— [ Here apparently some words have been deleted, and it is impossible to read

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Audubon to William Swainson

Audubon to William Swainson

London Thursday July 1828 . My dear Mr Swainson , Although your last note said that you knew not when I should have the pleasure of seeing you in town, I have hoped every morning to see you that day.—When will you come?— There is a talk of my picture of the Eagle and the Lamb going to her Majesty, Sir Walter Waller has been written to on the subject and every thing is in train to lead poor I like a lamb to Windsor Castle!—I am told the picture is a grand one but you , my dear Sir, have not said

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N. A. Vigors to Audubon

N. A. Vigors to Audubon

Bruter Ct Aug. 23, 1828. My dear Sir :— I hope you do not forget your promise of giving us a paper for the Zoölogical Journal. We should be much gratified by having your name with us: and, if possible, should wish to have whatever you may favour us with within the next ten days. I have been but a few hours in town, and shall leave town again tomorrow for a few days, or I should have called upon you to speak personally upon the subject. I believe I have already mentioned, that we are in the habit

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Audubon to William Swainson

Audubon to William Swainson

London , Wednesday Augt. 13, 1828 . My dear Mr. Swainson , I reached my lodging in great comfort by the side of your amiable Doc r Davie two hours and a half after we shook hands—I wish I might say as much of my Journey through Life .—I have had sad news from my dear wife this morning, she has positively abandoned her coming to England for some indefinite time, indeed she says that she looks anxiously for the day when tired myself of this country I will return to mine and live although a humbler

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William Swainson to Audubon

William Swainson to Audubon

Tuesday 11 Nov. 1828. I had written the enclosed, my dear Mr. Audubon, before your letter of Monday reached me. It has come this instant, Dreams, you know, must always be interpreted contrawise , we might have lifted up our arms, as you saw in your dream but, if you had not awoke, it was no doubt to have shaken hands! But that my regard for you may be evinced, I will bring myself to lay under an obligation, which I would only ask for one of my own family. I was that moment thinking to which I sh

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William Swainson to Audubon

William Swainson to Audubon

18 January, 1829. My Dear Mr. Audubon , I write this in utter uncertainty whether it will find you in London. My first number has now been out three weeks—it has been seen and universally admired, and how many copies do you think the Publisher has sold? now pray guess as the Americans say. 100—no. twentyfive, no. fifteen, no. ten? yes. positively ten copies and no more , has been sold. I blush almost to confess this mortification to even, you , but so it is. Now, my dear Sir, what am I to think

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Charles L. Bonaparte to Audubon

Charles L. Bonaparte to Audubon

Rome January 10 th 1829 . Dear Sir , I received in due time your favours of November 3d. &amp; December 21 st. &amp; now come to thank you for them, wishing you or rather expressing to you at the occasion of the renewal of the year, the warm wishes I constantly have for your health, happiness &amp; especially for the success of your work. From the contents of your letter I clearly perceive that one at least of my letters to you must have miscarried. Nothing could be more interesting

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William Swainson to Audubon

William Swainson to Audubon

My dear Mr. Audubon I welcomed the news of your arrival in America yesterday, and as I am making up a packet for Liverpool today, I seize the opportunity of wishing you joy and happiness in the new world. I am surprised and disappointed as not receiving one line from Ward it is at the best negligent, and somewhat ungrateful. Hope you have begun your studies among the birds on a better plan than formerly, that is, in preserving the skins of every one on which there is the least doubt whether the

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Audubon to his son, Victor

Audubon to his son, Victor

Philadelphia , July 5 th., 1829 . My dear Victor :— I have been in America two months this day, and not a word from you have I had in answer to my several letters, dated New York, and at this place. I am also without answer from your Mama, but do not feel so surprised as I know that about 2 months is the time necessary to have a return from Louisiana. I have come to take your Mama over to England, if her wish inclines her to do so, and have wrote fully to her, giving her all the particulars resp

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Audubon to Dr. Richard Harlan

Audubon to Dr. Richard Harlan

S t Francisville Louisiana Novemb r 18 th 1829 — My Dear Friend .— You will see by the data of this the rapidity with which I have crossed two thirds of the United States. I had the happiness of pressing my beloved wife to my breast Yesterday morning; saw my two sons at Louisville and all is well.—from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh I found the Roads, the Coaches, horses Drivers and Inns all much improved and yet needing a great deal to make the traveller quite comfortable —The slownesse of the stag

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William Swainson to Audubon

William Swainson to Audubon

I know not in what part of the Wilds of America you may now be wandering, but I hope you are fully intent upon your great object, and that you are not only making drawings, and taking notes, but preserving Skins , of all your little favorites. Don't forget the Shrikes , of which I have strong suspicions there are 2 or 3 species mixed up with the name of Loggerhead. Should you be in the land of the Scarlet Ibis , do pray procure a dozen or two of the best skins, they are the most magnificent bird

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Audubon to Robert Havell

Audubon to Robert Havell

Beech Grove, Louisiana Dec r 16th 1829 My Dear Mr. Havell. — I received yesterday from New York your letter of the 29th. Sept. which must have reached Philadelphia 3 days after my departure for home== I am sorry that Bartley should have made you suffer a moment by sending you the intelligence of the failure of the several subscribers you mention in your favor—it cannot be helped—there is none of your fault and I must repair these matters when I reach England again== I am considerably more sorry

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Edward Everett to Dr. Wainwright

Edward Everett to Dr. Wainwright

Washington 18 March 1830 My dear Sir , Allow me to introduce to your acquaintance, the bearer of this letter, Mr. Audubon of Louisiana. His drawings of American Birds, of which he will show you some, will I am sure command your approbation, as they have the applause of Europe.—I am sorry to say, that he has not yet procured a single subscriber, in the United States of America. Will not one of your Institutions in New York—or your wealthy and liberal individuals—take a copy? I pray you endeavor t

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Sir William Jardine to Audubon

Sir William Jardine to Audubon

Jardine Hall 3 d Decr. 1830 — My dear Sir , I only learnt a few days since that you were to winter in Edinburgh, and perhaps since you are not Hurried for time in Trovelly [?] will come out to spend a day or two with me—If you can come out before the 10 th. when I shall have the pleasure of shewing you some Blackgame Shooting—The season expires on the Tenth of the Month partridges have bred so ill that there is scarsely any in the whole country, and pheasants have been so lately introduced that

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Edward Everett to Audubon

Edward Everett to Audubon

Charlestown, Mass. , May 19th, 1831 . My dear Sir I duly received your favor of the 1st. of Nov. accompanied with some copies of the Prospectus, and a few days since your letter of the 5th. March reached me. I owe you an apology for being so tardy in my reply to the former letter. It reached me at Washington, while I was confined with a severe illness, with which, since Oct. last, I have till lately been much afflicted. I was, most of the session, in such a state of health, as to be kept at my l

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AUDUBON THE NATURALIST

AUDUBON THE NATURALIST

John J. Audubon AFTER PORTRAIT BY GEORGE P. A. HEALY, 1838; ORIGINAL IN POSSESSION OF THE BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY. AUDUBON THE NATURALIST A HISTORY OF HIS LIFE AND TIME BY FRANCIS HOBART HERRICK, Ph.D., Sc.D. PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY IN WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY; AUTHOR OF "THE HOME LIFE OF WILD BIRDS," ETC. IN TWO VOLUMES ILLUSTRATED VOLUME II D. APPLETON AND COMPANY NEW YORK LONDON 1917 VOLUME II D. APPLETON AND COMPANY NEW YORK LONDON 1917 Copyright, 1

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SONNET

SONNET

TO J. J. AUDUBON, ESQ., ON BEHOLDING HIS DRAWINGS. Is there delight in Nature's solitudes, Her dark green woods, and fragrant wilderness, In scenes, where seldom human step intrudes, And she is in her wildest, loveliest dress? Is there delight in her uncultured flowers, Each ripened bloom or bright unfolding dye, Or in the tribes which animate her bowers, And through her groves in living beauty fly? Then, on thy canvas as they move and live, While taste and genius guide the fair design, And all

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Audubon to G. W. Featherstonhaugh

Audubon to G. W. Featherstonhaugh

I am now seated in earnest to give you an unceremonious summary of my proceedings up to this time, since we left Richmond, in Virginia. As a geologist, I venture to suppose you would have been but indifferently amused, if you had been with us in our journey from this latter place to Charleston, in South Carolina; and as an ornithologist, I cannot boast of the enjoyment I found; poor coaches, dragged through immense, deserted pine forests, miserable fare, and neither birds nor quadrupeds to be se

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Levi Woodbury to Louis McLane

Levi Woodbury to Louis McLane

Sir , The letter of the Honorable Mr. Everett of the 18th. inst. relating to Mr. Audubon &amp;c and referred by you to this Department, has been received. I regret that the impaired condition of the Spark made it necessary some weeks ago, to order that vessel to Norfolk to be refitted. I have heretofore taken much pleasure in furnishing Mr. Audubon with credentials to the officers of the Navy, and requesting [them] to furnish every aid, in the prosecution of [his] scientific researches: and

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Richard Harlan to Audubon

Richard Harlan to Audubon

[ Philadelphia , August, 1832 .] Dear Sir — I have just rec d. your favour of the 5 th inst—by which I perceive you are not in possession of the letter I addressed you to the care of M r Berthoud, the day after your departure. I have since forwarded two others one from N. Orleans, also to care of M r. Berthoud—The Cholera has raged dreadfully in some localities here—I was engaged on Monday superintending the removal of the sick prisoners from the jail in arch S t. at the request of the City auth

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Audubon to his Son, Victor

Audubon to his Son, Victor

Boston , Jany, 17th, 1833 —. My dear Victor — The Columbia arrived yesterday at New York, and N [icholas]. B [erthoud]. has forwarded us Mr. Havell's letter and yours, both dated 30th. of November last—. I hope soon to see the drawings to work on them—. You give no account of that of The Bartram Sandpiper and of The Spotted Sandpiper —; probably they have escaped you—let me know so that I may renew these should they be missing—, but I think my Friend Children has them—enquire— The Charlotte is n

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Audubon to his Son, Victor

Audubon to his Son, Victor

Boston. Feb. 5th 1833. My dear friends I am just now quite fatigued by the drawing of a Golden Eagle which although it will make a splendid plate has cost me sixty hours of the severest labor I have experienced since I drew the Wild Turkey. You shall I hope see it through the care of Mr. Gordon. [27] Do not ever ship any more Nos. to this port unless on vessels that are intended as packets. The Charlotte has not come and it will be a rubber if I can get enough cash to establish our going to Labr

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Audubon to his Son, Victor

Audubon to his Son, Victor

New York April 28th 1833 — My dear Victor — On opening the box containing the numbers last sent to this place for distribution, we found the contents Wet and of course some of them damaged. We have however dried them and made of them that could be done and they will all go on Monday (tomorrow) to their Several destinations—In future I recommend that Each parcel of numbers for the different individuals are rolled up in separate Parcel, inclosed in good stout brown Paper, and each directed outside

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Dr. George Parkman to Audubon

Dr. George Parkman to Audubon

Boston , May 25th. 1833 . J. J. Audubon Esqr. Dear Sir Through the unceasing &amp; active good-will of our Friend, Dr. Shattuck, I present to you Mr. Ingalls, son of Dr. Ingalls, one of our senior physicians &amp; an experienced public teacher of Anat.y &amp; Surg.y— The son is the father's pupil; &amp; we have reason to expect that he will prove a satisfactory disciple to you. The enclosed I claim for you the right to read, &amp; for myself to repossess, when we meet again.

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Audubon to his Son, Victor

Audubon to his Son, Victor

Charleston , Dc., 24, 1833 . My dear beloved Victor :— Your last letter to us is dated at London, 7th. Octbr. It has given us all ample and sincere pleasure. The copy of your reply [47] to Mons. Waterton is excellent; that from Swainson ought to prove a death-blow to the Demerara Gent! I hope that these letters are now before the world, for my mortification has been great enough respecting the blackguardism of G. Ord and others, and yet I am heartily glad that I never paid personally any attenti

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Audubon to Thomas Sully

Audubon to Thomas Sully

Those persons in Philadelphia that have felt a desire to contradict my assertions cannot, without lowering themselves very much indeed affect to conceive that the members of the Wernerian Society would have listened to my "say so," without investigating the subject, even if they had not been well versed in the habits of the objects I treated of. Neither can they believe that all my acquaintance and particular friends would permit me to proceed in relating Tales of Wonder , which if untrue, would

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Thomas Cooper to Audubon

Thomas Cooper to Audubon

Columbia S. Carolina Octr 21. 1833 Mr Audubon Dear Sir About three weeks ago, my son and two of my black servants, observed a very large rattle snake climbing up the fence that separates my garden from the road, at my country house. The snake put himself in the attitude of striking; whereupon one of the men ran for a gun, and shot the snake on the last rail but one of the fence. The snake was 4.3 long; as thick as my wrist, and had seven rattles. I am Dear Sir Your obedient servant Thomas Cooper

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William Swainson to Audubon

William Swainson to Audubon

Saturday, 1[10?] May, 1830. Welcome once more, my good friend to merry England: I had indeed heard from Havell, with the greatest pleasure, that you had safely landed at Liverpool; and I regret very much that you did not reach London before I had left it; for I am now much seldomer in town than formerly, and I know not when I may have the power to do so again. My old and most valued friend Mr. Burchell has also, to my great delight, just returned to England after six years spent in wandering ove

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Audubon to William Swainson

Audubon to William Swainson

July 26th 1830. My Dear Friend , I was particularly pleased at receiving yours of the 22nd this morning , I cannot well say where it has rambled since it was dated, but certainly its migration has not been that of a Swallow for instance.— Thank you about the Jay—It has been my misfortune to have been rather misunderstood by you respecting what you please to call "Poor Nomenclators" had I not some regard for you all of that nobler breed I would not borrow names in my work but would have like some

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William Swainson to Audubon

William Swainson to Audubon

Saturday 7 August 1830. My Dear Mr. Audubon as you was on the point of leaving London, when you wrote your last letter, I did not reply to it. This will probably find you returned from your excursion, and I hope with every success, on the score of increased subscribers, that you had anticipated, If you will be so good as send me your specimens of the Woodpeckers to Havell's, I shall be very glad to see them, and they shall be returned to you after examination with the Arctic ones. You will assis

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Audubon to William Swainson

Audubon to William Swainson

Manchester 22nd August 1830 . My Dear Mr. Swainson ,— At the time that I sent you the Woodpeckers skins, I had not a moment to spare or be assured I would have answered your note—When I opened my boxes of skins I had the mortification to find most of them touched by insects—I felt a desire that those nondescribed specimen[s] which I had should go to a public institution &amp; I therefore presented them to the British Museum through my friend Children—I sent others to New Castle upon Tyne som

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William Swainson to Audubon

William Swainson to Audubon

[between August 24 and 28, 1830 ] Thursday My Dear Mr. Audubon . I received your letter yesterday, and hasten to reply to it. By some mistake or other, of Havell's, he has not sent the birds to which you allude, and I did not of course know that you had left them with him, now to your two propositions. First, as to boarding with us, you do not know probably, that this is never done in England, except as a matter of necessity or profession, in which case the domestic establishment is framed accor

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William Swainson to Audubon

William Swainson to Audubon

My dr Sir I have refrained from replying to your letter until I thought you had returned to London. Either you do not appear to have understood the nature of my proposition on supplying scientific information for your work, or you are very erroneously informed on the matter in which such assistance is usually given. Dr. Richardson, and a hundred others, similarly situated, might with equal justice say that no name should appear but their own; as it would rob them of their fame, because notes are

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Audubon to William Swainson

Audubon to William Swainson

London April 28th 1830 [1831] My dear Mr Swainson , We arrived here last evening &amp; I found your favour of the 17th instant for which I offer you my sincere thanks—I had began to think that I was erased from your list.—I have now the pleasure of sending you a copy of my first volume of ornithological biography which I hope you will accept as a small memento of the high regard I have for your self &amp; your talents.—My inserting your name was not a matter merely of duty but of great p

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Audubon to Charles Lucien Bonaparte

Audubon to Charles Lucien Bonaparte

My dear Sir :— I am sadly grieved to hear through our friend, Wm. Cooper, of this city, that you have taken umbrage to a passage in the Introduction to my first volume of Ornithological Biographies. To tell you that not even a thought of disparagement ever existed in my mind towards you, would not be enough. I have always repeated to all my Friends, nay, to all persons who have ever spoken of you, of the superior talents you possess, and of the Intrinsic value connected with all your ornithologi

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William MacGillivray to Audubon

William MacGillivray to Audubon

Edinburgh, 11 Gilmore Place. 28th May 1834. Dear Sir , I am glad to hear of your safe arrival, which I did not expect so soon, and pleased to find you in good health and high spirits. As you have the kindness to inquire respecting myself and family, I am happy to inform you that we are all very well, contented and busy. My head and hands are quite full—abundance of work and sufficient pay—time to ramble now and then for the purpose of hammering rocks, pulling plants, and shooting birds. You say

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William MacGillivray to Audubon

William MacGillivray to Audubon

Edinburgh , 22d. october, 1834 . Dear Sir , I take the liberty of sending you a collection of drawings made by myself, and intended for a work on the vertebrate animals of Great Britain. The astonishing success with which you have depicted a whole class of the productions of your native land, as evinced in the incomparable delineations of your "Birds of America," renders your opinions respecting ornithological drawings of the very highest authority; and I have been anxious to submit my attempts

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William MacGillivray to Audubon

William MacGillivray to Audubon

Edinburgh 15th December 1834 . Dear Sir , Agreeably to your request I hereby bind and oblige myself to revise and correct the third and fourth volumes of your work entitled "Ornithological Biography" at the same rate as the two first volumes, namely at Two Pounds Two Shillings per sheet; as well as to revise, for a sum to be subsequently determined, any other work which you may intend to publish. I have the honour to be Dear Sir, your most obedt. Servant W. Macgillivray . To John J. Audubon Esq.

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Audubon to John Wilson ("Christopher North")

Audubon to John Wilson ("Christopher North")

My Dear Friend :— The first hour of this new year was ushered to me surrounded by my dear flock, all comfortably seated around a small table in middle-sized room, where I sincerely wished you had been also, to witness the flowing gladness of our senses, as from one of us "Audubon's Ornithological Biography" was read from your ever valuable Journal. I wished this because I felt assured that your noble heart would have received our most grateful thanks with pleasure, the instant our simple ideas h

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Audubon to Edward Harris

Audubon to Edward Harris

Audubon also communicated at once with John Bachman, whom he had planned to visit on his journey south, but soon learned that the cholera had broken out in Charleston and that the Seminoles were on the warpath in Florida. Said Bachman, writing on September 14: With regard to Florida, nothing will be done by naturalists for at least two years. Your Indian friends, the cut-throats, have scalped almost every woman and child south of St. Augustine, save those on Key West. They have burnt and plunder

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Audubon to William MacGillivray

Audubon to William MacGillivray

My Dear Friend ,— Being just now snugly anchored in a bay, the description of which may prove agreeable to you, I sit down to give you an account of what I have been doing since I last wrote to you. After visiting "Rabbit Island," on which, as I have already told you, not a single Rabbit or Hare is to be seen, we made our way between it and Frisky Point, by a narrow and somewhat difficult channel leading to the bay in which I now write. The shores around us are entirely formed of a bank, from tw

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Audubon to Edward Harris

Audubon to Edward Harris

Duplicate London , Oct. 26th., 1837 . I have this moment received your dear letter of the 4. instant, for the contents of which, I do indeed most truly thank you, but the most important point contained in it, Dr. Spencer is now at Paris quite well and happy. I have not heard of his supposed intentions to visit Russia, at least not until you have shown yourself in Europe for awhile. When will you come? I have not received one single letter from Dr. Morton since my return to England, and have been

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Audubon to William Swainson

Audubon to William Swainson

London 11th Jan 1838 My dear Mr Swainson , The severe indisposition of my good wife which has continued almost unabated now since I had the pleasure of seeing you, is my excuse for not having ere this answered your two notes, especially the last of the 8th instant.— Your box &amp; contents came perfectly safe to hand, and I think will soon again be in your possession in like good order. I certainly should like to see the Buteo [?] vulgaris to compare it with mine (that at the mouth of the Co

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Audubon to his Son, John

Audubon to his Son, John

Edinburgh , July 1st, 1838, Sunday . My dearest friends Your joint letter of the 27th Wednesday, did not reach me until yesterday afternoon, probably because the steamer which brought it did not leave London on that evening on a/c of the coronation etc., Here the festivals were poor beyond description, and although scarcely anything was to be seen, the whole population was on foot the entire day, and nearly the whole night, gazing at each other like lost sheep.—No illuminations except at two sho

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Audubon to Edward Harris

Audubon to Edward Harris

Edinburgh , 14 Sep'., 1838 . My Dear Friend : Not having heard anything from you in answer to my last, I suppose that you may yet be away from Glasgow, but as we ourselves are going off tomorrow to the "Highlands," with a view to be at Glasgow on Thursday next, I write to you now, with the hope of meeting you then . Nothing of importance has occurred here since my last, but the book has considerably swollen in its progress towards completion. We all unite in best wishes to you and I remain as ev

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Audubon to Edward Harris

Audubon to Edward Harris

Edinburgh December 19th., 1838 . My dear Friend : Your letter of the 13th. instant to Victor reached us this morning, and glad were we all to hear from you. My object in writing to you is, for the purpose of assuring you that I feel great [pleasure] in preparing a box of bird skins for you according to your desire. It is true, however, that I am now on the eve of commencing my synoptical arrangement of our birds, I shall not be able to show you as many of my specimens [as] I could otherwise have

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Audubon to Robert Havell

Audubon to Robert Havell

Edinburgh , Feb. 20th, Monday, 1839. My dear Mr. Havell I perceive by the date of your letter of the 16th instant that you must have been some days beyond my expectations, in the receiving of my parcel to you, and that on that account my letter of Saturday last crossed yours of the same date. I thank you for what you say as regards the balance in my favor at Wright and Co. Does Henry sail from London Docks or from Portsmouth ? and pray what is the name of the Captain of the "Wellington"? I do no

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Audubon to his Family

Audubon to his Family

Baltimore , Feb. 21. 1840 . 11 o'clock at night. My dear friends So far so good, but alas! I am now out of numbers to deliver to my subscribers here. Here! where I expected to procure a good number more. This list is composed of excellent men and all good pay. I have in my pocket upwards of one hundred names, whom I am assured are likely to subscribe. Therefor I will not leave Baltimore for some days to come at least. I forward a copy of this list to Chevalier by the same mail and yet you may as

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Audubon to Spencer Fullerton Baird

Audubon to Spencer Fullerton Baird

New York , June 13, 1840 . Dear Sir , On my return home from Charleston S. C. yesterday, I found your kind favor of the 4th inst. in which you have the goodness to inform me that you have discovered a new species of fly-catcher, and which, if the bird corresponds to your description, is, indeed, likely to prove itself hitherto undescribed, for although you speak of yourself as being a youth, your style and the descriptions you have sent me prove that an old head may from time to time be found on

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Audubon to Spencer Fullerton Baird

Audubon to Spencer Fullerton Baird

New York , December 25, 1840 . My dear sir , On my return yesterday from a tour of a month, I found your kind favor of the 10th inst. at my house. I regret exceedingly that you and I should not have met at Philadelphia, as I feel sure by the style and contents of your letters to me that you are fond of the study of natural objects, as much as I am. I have no doubt that your journey during the last summer and autumn was a pleasing one to you, as I can well conceive from the fresh recollections of

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William Yarrell to Audubon

William Yarrell to Audubon

My dear Sir , Your letter, and also that of your son, are now before me, both received so long ago as the middle of last year—how time flies with those who are fully occupied—I reproach myself for having allowed them to remain so long unanswered—and hope my numerous avocations, which absorb my whole time, will be admitted as my excuse. I see M r. B. Phillips every now and then, we meet only to talk about you—I have received from his hands the first 17 N os of your smaller American Birds and like

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Audubon to Spencer Fullerton Baird

Audubon to Spencer Fullerton Baird

New York , July 29, 1841 . My dear Sir ,— I have not had time to answer your interesting favor of the 21st until this morning, being now constantly engaged in the figuring, &amp;c., of the Quadrupeds of Our Country; by which I mean that I actually work from daylight every day until I retire to my necessary repose at night. Your observations upon the birds of passage the last spring are what they have been almost throughout the U. S. The very backward spring which we have experienced this yea

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Audubon to Dr. George Parkman

Audubon to Dr. George Parkman

New York , June 20th 1841 My Dear Friend. — I intended having written to you yesterday by Miss Shatuck, who was good enough to spend the day with us, but I was so deeply engaged on a drawing of Rocky Mountain Flying Squirrels, that the time of her departure came suddenly and I could merely ask of her to say to you, that your last letter and remittance had reached us in safety, and with the unexampled promptness shewn by you on the three occasions you have been troubled with the delivery of 46 pa

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Audubon to W. O. Ayres

Audubon to W. O. Ayres

I am now closely engaged in conjunction with my friend the Revd. John Bachman—of Charleston, S. C., in the preparing of a work on the viviparous quadrupeds of North America, and I have already drawn about one hundred figures of these, including thirty-six species. Now knowing the interest you feel towards the advancement of Natural Science, in every department, I have thought that should you assist us in the procuring specimens, whether in the flesh or skin, dead or alive; that we would be much

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Spencer Fullerton Baird to Audubon

Spencer Fullerton Baird to Audubon

After a trial of two weeks I begin to find that I am getting over the shock caused by the sudden transition from the bustle of Broadway to the lifelessness of Carlisle, and hope that by the application of the proper means I may in time perfectly recover. Philadelphia seemed dull but Carlisle was death itself. My visit now however seems but as a dream, and I have settled down into my old regular monotonous life as if I had never been absent a day. When I arrived my friends had a great many questi

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Audubon to Spencer Fullerton Baird

Audubon to Spencer Fullerton Baird

New York , Feby. 10, 1842 . My dear young Friend . It is about half an hour since I had the real pleasure of receiving your letter of the 8th inst. and my earnest thanks to you for it and its contents; to all of which I will try to answer at your request. That beautiful Carlisle, its surrounding hills bordering its valleys, all within the bosom of quiet nature should appear to you as a small affair when compared to our largest city in the Union, is not at all remarkable, but let me ask you the f

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Audubon to Spencer Fullerton Baird

Audubon to Spencer Fullerton Baird

New York , July 30, 1842 . My Dear Young Friend ,— Your letter of the 27th Inst. reached me yesterday. I am truly vexed that I should have missed you at the Library or the Congress Chambers, where I went (perhaps too late) between 3 and 4 o'clock of the afternoon, having been detained at the different Departments of State where it was my duty to call, preparatory to the next coming Great Western Journey. Now it proves by your letter that you feel favorably disposed to accompany me on this long t

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Daniel Webster to Whom it May Concern

Daniel Webster to Whom it May Concern

United States of America, Department of State. To all to whom these presents shall come—greeting. Know Ye, that the bearer hereof, John James Audubon, a distinguished naturalist and native citizen of the United States, has made known to me his intention of travelling on the continent with the view principally of aiding the cause of science by extending his researches and explorations in natural history, and as he is known to me to be a man of character and honor and worthy of all friendly office

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President John Tyler to Whom it May Concern

President John Tyler to Whom it May Concern

United States of America , Washington , 28th July 1842 . The bearer of this, John James Audubon, is a native citizen of the United States, who has informed me of his intention of travelling on the continent of America, chiefly to promote the cause of science by researches in natural history. He is known to me to be a naturalist of eminent acquirements and estimation, a man of character and honor and worthy of all personal respect and regard. I recommend him to my countrymen abroad and to the aut

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John Bachman to Audubon

John Bachman to Audubon

Charleston , August , 1842. My Dear Friend : I have just returned from a visit to the country, where I left Mrs. Bachman for the benefit of her health. I have a season ticket on the railroad, and, on my weekly visits, I do much of my writing on Natural History. The moment the clock strikes four I am up, and soon at work. From this hour until seven, I have no interruptions. I hope in this way to steal time to write about Quadrupeds . When I get fairly under way, as I am now, I am not easily diver

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Audubon to Dr. Benjamin Phillips

Audubon to Dr. Benjamin Phillips

I went on a tramp to the Canadas, leaving our comfortable abode on the 12th of Sepr. last and was absent for a whole month. My Journey extended to something like 1500 miles: during which I visited for the first time, the North-American Gibralter [Quebec], the sight of which was as new to me as it was wonderful in the days of old. The views (for I must speak in the plural) from the Citadel, are as far as I have seen the grandest and the most sublime I ever gazed upon. The St. Laurence River, is n

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William Yarrell to Audubon

William Yarrell to Audubon

[Superscribed by Audubon] Rec d 28 Jany 1843 Ryder Street S t . James London 17 th Dec r . 1842 . My dear M R. Audubon , I have this morning received your letter of the 28 th. Nov r. last, and as it is strictly a letter of business, I reply to its various parts immediately. About a month ago I received a note from M r. Phillips to say that he had received the Plates of the first number of your work on the Quadrupeds of America—would I come and look at them, and would I exhibit them at the meetin

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Audubon to Spencer Fullerton Baird

Audubon to Spencer Fullerton Baird

New York , Nov. 29, 1842 . My dear Young Friend , It seems to me as if an age had already elapsed since I have heard from you or your whereabouts. Neither do I know clearly whether in the way of correspondence, you are in my debt, or I am in yours. Nevertheless I now write to you, and request you to read this letter more than once, and think deeply on the purport of its contents that you may be the [more] able to form a true Idea of what I intend to say [to] you, and for yourself to give me a tr

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Audubon to John Bachman

Audubon to John Bachman

[ Minnie's Land ] Jan. 8, 1845 . My dear friend Never have I been so much astonished as I have been at reading your letter to Victor, and to which I feel myself bound to answer at once. In the first place you must have been most unmercifully misled by the "mutual friend" of whom you speak, when saying that through that individual you did understand that I never used your name as a coadjutor in the work, which is now publishing on the Quadrupeds of North America under the names of both I and you—

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John Bachman to Edward Harris

John Bachman to Edward Harris

Charleston , Decem. 24 , 1845. Friend Harris, you can be of service to me, to the Audubons &amp; the cause of science. I will tell you how. I find the Audubons are not aware of what is wanted in the publication of the Quadrupeds. All they care about is to get out a No. of engravings in two months. They have not sent me one single book out of a list of 100 I gave them and only 6 lines copied from a book after having written for them for 4 years. When he published his birds he collected hundre

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Spencer Fullerton Baird to Audubon

Spencer Fullerton Baird to Audubon

Carlisle Nov. 4, 1846 . Dear Mr. Audubon I have been intending to write for a long time, to find out how you all are at Minnie's Landing, and how yourself is particularly, but have put it off from time to time for various reasons. I can do so no longer, and must beg you to let me know these particulars. Since my last visit to you, two pretty important events have happened to me. The first was getting married, the second, settling down steadily in my Professional chair. [214] My wife is the only

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Audubon to Spencer Fullerton Baird

Audubon to Spencer Fullerton Baird

Minniesland. Nov. 8th, 1846. My dear Friend , We were very happy to hear of your Success in obtaining a Professorship. I wish you had been more minute as to the amount of your Salary as I consider 400$ as a very small sum. If you have not a house, fuel, and furniture, &amp;c &amp;c &amp;c to compensate for so small a sum, and having so much to perform for it. We are all glad that you have a good helpmate in the shape of a wife, and we would be very glad to have you under our roof, ev

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John Edward Gray to John Woodhouse Audubon

John Edward Gray to John Woodhouse Audubon

4 May 1847 Brit. Museum My dear Sir I am very sorry that I am so occupied that I cannot undertake to furnish you with the descriptions of the American Mammalia which you have figured here but I think you will find that Dr Richardsons descriptions are so accurate and detailed that you had better copy them for the work than have more imperfect descriptions by a less experienced and minute describer. at the same time should Dr Bachman on composing the Work want any note or the distinction between a

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Mrs. Audubon to William R. Dorlan

Mrs. Audubon to William R. Dorlan

Louisville Jan. 30 1874 Mr. Wm. R. Dorlan Dear Sir I regret that your letter of Jan. 10th has remained so long unanswered, but my granddaughter who usually writes for me, is so constantly occupied with her pupils that until to-day she has not been able to find time to write to you. I regret that I cannot give you a letter of my husband John James Audubon with the autograph attached. The enclosed, the best I have to send you is one from which the autograph and a portion of the letter were cut off

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3. Copy of the Act of Baptism of Jean Jacques Fougère Audubon. Nantes, October 23, 1800. (For translation, see Chapter IV.)

3. Copy of the Act of Baptism of Jean Jacques Fougère Audubon. Nantes, October 23, 1800. (For translation, see Chapter IV.)

1785.—M. Audubon doit à Ollivier ce qui suit: Pour acquit en compte et billet à mon ordre sous la réserve d'une augmentation de cent livres sur la négritte si elle vit an delà de six mois. Aux Cayes, le 25 Juillet 1785. Signé: Ollivier ....

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5. Statement of Accounts of Messrs. Audubon, Lacroix, Formon, & Jacques in the purchase of negroes from M. Th. Johnston, Les Cayes, Santo Domingo, 1785. (For comment, see Chapter III.)

5. Statement of Accounts of Messrs. Audubon, Lacroix, Formon, & Jacques in the purchase of negroes from M. Th. Johnston, Les Cayes, Santo Domingo, 1785. (For comment, see Chapter III.)

Clos et arrêté le présent compte en double par lequel il résulte que M. Audubon doit à Lacroix Formon &amp; Jacques dix mille livres pour sa demi du payement des dits nègres dont il les débite au compte courant arrêté ce jour en double, et les dits Lacroix Formon &amp; Jacques devant au dit Sieur Audubon celle de cent six livres dix pour sa demi qui lui revient du net produit de la vente des dits nègres, lesquels portés au crédit des deux comptes courant, dont quitté aux Cayes, le plus p

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7. Accounts of William Bakewell, of "Fatland Ford," as protégé of his future son-in-law and as attorney or agent for Audubon & Rosier, giving certain exact indications of the naturalist's movements and personal relations, before and after finally leaving "Mill Grove." January 4, 1805-April 9, 1810. (For further reference, see Chapter VIII.)

7. Accounts of William Bakewell, of "Fatland Ford," as protégé of his future son-in-law and as attorney or agent for Audubon & Rosier, giving certain exact indications of the naturalist's movements and personal relations, before and after finally leaving "Mill Grove." January 4, 1805-April 9, 1810. (For further reference, see Chapter VIII.)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ss: I, Peter Stephan Du Ponceau, notary public &amp; Sworn Interpreter of foreign Languages for the Commonwealth aforesaid, residing in the City of Philadelphia, do hereby certify that I have carefully translated into English so much of the Instrument of writing hereunto annexed as is written in the French language, as follows, to wit: At the bottom of the Deed [act] and immediately after the Signatures of the Witnesses, there is a Certificate in France [French],

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9. Articles of Association of Jean Audubon and Ferdinand Rozier to govern their partnership in business; drawn up at Nantes, March 23, 1806. (See Chapter IX.)

9. Articles of Association of Jean Audubon and Ferdinand Rozier to govern their partnership in business; drawn up at Nantes, March 23, 1806. (See Chapter IX.)

Art. 3. Il est convenu que la Moitié du produit de cette habitation seront entre nous par Moitié et pour en Connoitre ainsi que la perte, nous aurons un Livre particulier pour cet Objet, d'un Coté seront Inséres les articles de dépences par Jour, et au moment que nous en fairons, de l'autre Coté les ventes et Produits des fermes et de tout ce qui pourra résulter de cette Opération en sorte que le Bénéfice se verra tous les jours par l'addition des articles qui Composeront le débit et le Crédit.

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9a. Translation of the Articles of Association of John Audubon and Ferdinand Rozier.

9a. Translation of the Articles of Association of John Audubon and Ferdinand Rozier.

Art. 3. It is agreed that half the product of this plantation shall be divided between us on a one half basis, and in order to recognize this [profit], as well as the loss, we shall keep a special book for the purpose; on one side shall be entered the items of expense, day by day, and, at the moment this is done, on the other side [shall also be given] the sales and products of the farms, and of all that can result from this business, in such a way that the profit shall be always apparent by the

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10. Power of Attorney issued by Lieutenant Jean Audubon, Anne Moynet Audubon, and Claude François Rozier to their respective sons, Jean Audubon and Ferdinand Rozier, at Nantes, France, April 4, 1806, eight days before the latter embarked to America to enter upon their partnership in business.

10. Power of Attorney issued by Lieutenant Jean Audubon, Anne Moynet Audubon, and Claude François Rozier to their respective sons, Jean Audubon and Ferdinand Rozier, at Nantes, France, April 4, 1806, eight days before the latter embarked to America to enter upon their partnership in business.

Commercial Agency of the United States of America I William D. Patterson Commercial agent of the United States of America for the Port and District of Nantes do hereby certify that the Signatures affixed to the foregoing Document are those of Mess rs J Royer and Varsavaux both Notaries publick for the City of Nantes and of M r Gandon President of the Tribunal of premiere Instance at the said City and that to their Signatures and Ads as such, full faith and Credit is and ought to be due and given

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12. Quit Claim or Release given by John James Audubon to Ferdinand Rozier on the Dissolution of their Partnership in Business at Sainte Geneviève, Upper Louisiana (Missouri), April 6, 1811.

12. Quit Claim or Release given by John James Audubon to Ferdinand Rozier on the Dissolution of their Partnership in Business at Sainte Geneviève, Upper Louisiana (Missouri), April 6, 1811.

E d D. De Villmonte...

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13. Copy of a portion of the first Will of Lieutenant Jean Audubon. Couëron, May 20, 1812. (For comment on this and documents Nos. 14 to 18, see Chapter IV.)

13. Copy of a portion of the first Will of Lieutenant Jean Audubon. Couëron, May 20, 1812. (For comment on this and documents Nos. 14 to 18, see Chapter IV.)

Moi, soussigné, Jean AUDUBON, demeurant à la Gerbetière en la commune de Couëron, département de la Loire-Inférieure. Par les présentes mon testament. Je donne et lègue a dame Anne MOINETTE, mon épouse la part et portion disponible en usufruit à raison de ce que j'aurai de descendants de généralement tous les biens meubles et immeubles qui m'appartiendront à l'instant de mon décès. Je donne et lègue à Monsieur Jean RABAIN créole de Saint-Domingue, que je crois actuellement aux Etats-Unis, sans c

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14. Copy of the second and last Will of Lieutenant Jean Audubon. March 15, 1816.

14. Copy of the second and last Will of Lieutenant Jean Audubon. March 15, 1816.

Fait dans ma demeure susdite à la Gerbetière en Couëron le 15 Mars 1816. Vive le Roi! Signé: Audubon . Par les preséntes mon testament. Je donne et lègue à Monsieur Jean AUDUBON, mon mari, la jouissance en toute propriété des biens meubles et celle en usufruit des biens immeubles qui m'appartiendront à l'instant de mon décès, pour qu'à l'un et l'autre titre de cette epoque, il en jouisse fasse et dispose comme de tous ses autres biens sans être tenu d'en donner caution, voulant et entendant qu'i

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15. Copy of a portion of the first Will of Madame Anne Moynet, wife of Lieutenant Audubon. December 4, 1814.

15. Copy of a portion of the first Will of Madame Anne Moynet, wife of Lieutenant Audubon. December 4, 1814.

... Je donne et lègue à Monsieur Jean AUDUBON, mon époux, la part et portion disponible en usufruit à raison de ce que j'aurai ou non d'enfants de généralement tous les biens meubles et immeubles qui m'appartiendront à l'instant de mon décès pour par lui en jouir sa vie durant, sans pouvoir être tenu à en fournir caution et à ma mort mes héritiers les prendre dans l'état où ils seront. Je donne et lègue en toute propriété à M. Jean RABIN, créole de Saint-Domingue, époux de demoiselle Lucy BACHWE

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16. Copy of a portion of the second Will of Madame Jean Audubon. May 10, 1816.

16. Copy of a portion of the second Will of Madame Jean Audubon. May 10, 1816.

Par les présentes mon testament; Je donne et lègue en toute propriété à Monsieur Jean RABIN époux de dame Lucy BACKWELL, que je crois présentement aux Etats-Units d'Amérique et à dame Rose BOUFFARD, épouse de M. Gabriel Loyen du Puigaudeau aîné la généralité de tous les biens meubles et immeubles de toute espèce et nature qui m'appartiendront à l'instant de mon décès en quelles mains et lieux qu'ils soient et par quelques personnes qu'ils soient dûs ou possédés pour par eux deux en jouir faire e

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17. Copy of the third Will—"No 169—of Madame Anne Moynet, widow of M. Jean Audubon, living at his house of La Gerbetière, situated near the village of Port-Launay, not far from Couëron." December 26, 1819.

17. Copy of the third Will—"No 169—of Madame Anne Moynet, widow of M. Jean Audubon, living at his house of La Gerbetière, situated near the village of Port-Launay, not far from Couëron." December 26, 1819.

Par les présentes, mon testament, Je donne et lègue en toute propriété à Monsieur Jean AUDUBON, dit Jean RABIN, époux de dame Lucy BACKWELL, et que je crois présentement aux Etats-Unis d'Amérique et à dame Rose BOUFFARD, épouse de Monsieur Gabriel Loyen du Puigaudeau aîné, demeurant à Couëron. Je leur donne et lègue, dis-je la généralité de tous biens meubles et immeubles de toute espèce et nature que je laisserai et qui m'appartiendront à l'instant de mon décès, en quelques mains et lieux qu'il

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19. Notice of the Death of Lieutenant Jean Audubon, from the Official Registry of Nantes, Nantes, February 19, 1818. (For translation, see Chapter V.)

19. Notice of the Death of Lieutenant Jean Audubon, from the Official Registry of Nantes, Nantes, February 19, 1818. (For translation, see Chapter V.)

Signé an registre: Gabriel Loyen du Puigaudeau , Gillet et Joseph de la Tullaye , adjoint....

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20. Letter of Lieutenant Jean Audubon to Francis Dacosta, his American agent and attorney, relating to the conduct of his son and to the lead mine at "Mill Grove" farm; transliterated from photographic copy of duplicate (Letter No 4) in Jean Audubon's letter-book. Nantes, March 10, 1805. (For translation, see Chapter VIII.)

20. Letter of Lieutenant Jean Audubon to Francis Dacosta, his American agent and attorney, relating to the conduct of his son and to the lead mine at "Mill Grove" farm; transliterated from photographic copy of duplicate (Letter No 4) in Jean Audubon's letter-book. Nantes, March 10, 1805. (For translation, see Chapter VIII.)

Je viens de recevoir dans ce moment votre duplicata du 12. 9 bre . &amp; la votre du 5. Decembre, qui n'est pas aussi avantageuse, Sous plusiers rapports que votre précédente, mais enfin il faut espérer que l'item vous prouvera que votre dernier sillon ne sera point déserteur, et que les occides de fer qui se trouvent se dissiperont en fouillant plus avant, an moins c'est ce que je désire, vous faites bien de faire tous vos efforts pour avoir des associés &amp; Si cela ne réussit pas, &a

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21. Letters of John James Audubon to Claude François Rozier, father, and to Ferdinand Rozier, son, immediately preceding and following his active partnership in business with the latter: 1807 and 1812. (For translations see Chapters XI and XV.)

21. Letters of John James Audubon to Claude François Rozier, father, and to Ferdinand Rozier, son, immediately preceding and following his active partnership in business with the latter: 1807 and 1812. (For translations see Chapters XI and XV.)

New York avril 24 1807 — Mon Cher Monsieur Je profite d'une bonne occasion pour Bordeaux pour vous accuser reception d'un Duplicats des pouvoirs que nous vous demandai plusieurs mois passes. Vous saurez aussi que les vins consignes a M. L. Huron de Philadelphia sont arrives en cette ville et ont sauves les assurances; votre fils s'est transporte sur la place et par une de ses lettres m'apprend que les 60 caisses sont vendues il me dit que vous pouvez compter sur un profit net d'a peu pres 20 p.

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APPENDIX II Audubon's Early Dated Drawings Made in France and America

APPENDIX II Audubon's Early Dated Drawings Made in France and America

The Harvard University collections contain the following: Excellent examples of Audubon's early work in the collection of Mr. John E. Thayer are: Among the drawings of the Harris-Jeanes collection which may be earlier than 1805, though they bear no date, are "The Black Crow of Buffon, Corneille noire," also the head of a Jackdaw wholly in crayon and pastel: "No. 160, Le grand Duc, âgé vingt un an, Buffon,—the large horned owl, Eagle owl. J. J. L. Audubon," a crayon sketch on paper measuring eigh

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1. Final Lists of Subscribers to "The Birds of America," folio edition, as published by Audubon in 1839. (See Ornithological Biography, vol. v, pp. 647-651.)

1. Final Lists of Subscribers to "The Birds of America," folio edition, as published by Audubon in 1839. (See Ornithological Biography, vol. v, pp. 647-651.)

Under the Particular Patronage and Approbation of His Most Gracious Majesty BIRDS OF AMERICA from Drawings made During a Residence of Twenty-five Years in The United States and its Territories, by John James Audubon, Citizen of the United States. Member of the Lyceum of New York; Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh; of the Linnean Society of London; Member of the Wernerian Natural History Society of Edinburgh; of the Zoölogical Society, London; Fellow of the Society of Scottish Antiquaries;

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2. Prospectus of "The Birds of America," as issued in 1828, when ten Numbers of the original folio were engraved. (Compare Ornithological Biography, vol. i, pp. 1-16, as supplementary text, at the end.)

2. Prospectus of "The Birds of America," as issued in 1828, when ten Numbers of the original folio were engraved. (Compare Ornithological Biography, vol. i, pp. 1-16, as supplementary text, at the end.)

4. Five Plates will constitute a Number; one Plate from one of the largest Drawings, one from one of the second size, and three from the smaller Drawings. 5. There are 400 Drawings; and it is proposed that they shall comprise Three Volumes, each containing about 133 Plates, to which an Index will be given at the end of each, to be bound up with the Volume. 6. Five Numbers will come out annually. 7. The Price of each Number will be Two Guineas; payable on delivery. TEN Numbers being now completed

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3. Prospectus of the Second (partial) Edition of "The Birds of America," issued by John Woodhouse Audubon, through Messrs. Trübner & Company, London, 1859. (See Bibliography, Nos. 9 and 10.)

3. Prospectus of the Second (partial) Edition of "The Birds of America," issued by John Woodhouse Audubon, through Messrs. Trübner & Company, London, 1859. (See Bibliography, Nos. 9 and 10.)

Orders or communications to Trübner &amp; Co., Booksellers, 60, Paternoster Row, London. New York, March 31, 1859. J. W. Audubon. Trübner &amp; Co. also offer to the Trade and the Public the following Editions of Audubon's Birds and Quadrupeds of North America: Birds of North America—Library Edition, 7 vols., royal 8vo., with 500 finely colored Plates, from Drawings made in the United States and their Territories. Price £25. Quadrupeds of North America,—By J. J. Audubon and Rev. John Bac

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APPENDIX IV Authentic Likenesses of Jean Jacques Fougère Audubon

APPENDIX IV Authentic Likenesses of Jean Jacques Fougère Audubon

Made at the home of Mr. William Rathbone, Sr., and presented to Mrs. Rathbone; now in possession of Mr. Richard R. Rathbone, Glen-y-Menai, Anglesey; for reproduction see The Life and Adventures of John James Audubon , edited by Robert Buchanan, and Maria R. Audubon, Audubon and His Journals . 4. 1826 (?).—Oil portrait by W. H. Holmes, 36 by 28 inches; painted for Audubon's friend, Walter Horton Bentley, Manchester, England, and in possession of the Bentley family ever since. Audubon is represent

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a. Principal Works

a. Principal Works

More exact data on publication of individual plates are: The first ten plates were executed by William Home Lizars, Edinburgh, 1826-7, but were later retouched or reëngraved (?) by Robert Havell, Junior, who produced all the rest in London; printed on Whatman's drawing paper, size (untrimmed), 39½ x 29½ inches, and colored after the originals. A considerable number of the plain plates were dispersed, and at least one complete set exists in this state (see Note, Chapter XXVI, Vol. II, p. 7 , and

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b. Minor Papers and Reprints

b. Minor Papers and Reprints

15. Audubon, John James : "On the Hirundo fulva of Vieillot." Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York , vol. i, pp. 163-166. New York, 1824. 16. Audubon, John James : "Facts and Observations connected with the permanent residence of swallows in the United States." Annals of the Lyceum of Natural History of New York , vol. i, pp. 166-168. New York, 1824. 17. Audubon, John James (a citizen of the United States): "Account of the Habits of the Turkey Buzzard ( Vultur aura ) particularly

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c. Epistolary Articles

c. Epistolary Articles

34. Audubon, John James : "Letter to the Editor" (No. 1). Dated "St. Augustine, East Florida, Dec. 7, 1831." Monthly American Journal of Geology and Natural Science , vol. i, pp. 358-363. Philadelphia, 1832. 35. Audubon, J. J. : "Letter from J. J. Audubon to the Editor" (No. 2). Dated "Bulowville, East Florida, December 31, 1831." Monthly American Journal of Geology and Natural Science , vol. i, pp. 407-414. Philadelphia, 1832. 36. Audubon, J. J. : "Letter to the Editor" (No. 3). Monthly America

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d. Translations

d. Translations

38. Bazin, Eugène : Scènes de la Nature dans les Etats-Unis et le Nord de l'Amérique. Ouvrage traduit d'Audubon, avec Preface et Notes du Traducteur. T. 1-2, pp. 1-460, 1-512. 8vo. Paris, 1857. Selections from the Ornithological Biography , with Introduction; dedicated to Charles Lucien Bonaparte. 39. ( Anon. ): "Drei Ziegenmelker Nordamerika's." Naumannia: Archiv für die Ornithologie, vorzugsweise Europas , herausg. von E. Baldamus, pp. 158-163. Stuttgart und Leipzig, 1858....

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e. Autobiography

e. Autobiography

40. Audubon, Maria R. : "Audubon's Story of his Youth." Scribner's Magazine , vol. xiii, pp. 267-287, illust. New York, 1893. First appearance of autobiographical sketch, entitled, "Myself, J. J. Audubon." Reproduced also in Audubon and his Journals (see No. 86 ), vol. i....

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f. Journals

f. Journals

41. Deane, Ruthven : "Extracts from an Unpublished Journal of John James Audubon." The Auk , vol. xxi, pp. 334-338. Cambridge, 1904. Including entries for fourteen days, extending from October 12, 1820, to November 25, 1821. 42. ( Anon. ): "A Story of Meadville from John J. Audubon, F. R. S., August 28, 1824." Pamphlet (in blue paper cover), pp. 1-4. Dated April 9th, 1846. For fuller journal records, see Audubon and his Journals ( No. 86 ), including "European Journals," (1826-1827), vol. i, pp.

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g. Familiar Letters

g. Familiar Letters

43. Coues, Elliott : "Behind the Veil." Bulletin Nuttall Ornithological Club , vol. v, pp. 193-204. Cambridge, 1880. Gives interesting letters by Audubon and MacGillivray, which are reproduced in the present work. 44. Gordon, Mrs. : "Christopher North": A Memoir of John Wilson. New York, 1894. For letter of J. J. Audubon to J. Wilson, no date [Jany. 1, 1836], see pp. 363-364. 45. Shufeldt, R. W. , and Audubon, M. R. : "The Last Portrait of Audubon, together with a Letter to his Son." The Auk , v

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h. Biographies

h. Biographies

55. Christopher North ( John Wilson ): "Noctes Ambrosianae," No. XXX, Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine , vol. xxi (Jan.), pp. 112-105 ( sic ). Edinburgh, 1827. 56. ( Anon. ): "Biographical Sketch of John James Audubon," with portrait (drawn and engraved by J. Brown); insert in G. Cuvier and P. A. Latreille, The Animal Kingdom , vol. i, pp. 197*-204*. London, 1830. 57. Lander, Sir Thomas Dick, Bart. , and Brown, Capt. Thomas : Biographical Sketch , with engravings by Joseph B. Kidd. Pp. i-x, 1-184,

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i. Reviews and Criticism

i. Reviews and Criticism

91. ( Anon. ) Brewster, David : "Mr. Audubon's Ornithology of the United States of America," Edinburgh Journal of Science , vol. vi, p. 184. Edinburgh, 1826-1827. This highly commendatory paper by David Brewster, and that by Robert Jameson, which follows, gives the first formal announcement of Audubon's work in the scientific journals of the day. 92. ( Anon. ) Jameson, Robert : "Mr. Audubon's great work on Birds of the United States of America," Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal , vol. 2, pp.

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j. Auduboniana and Miscellanea

j. Auduboniana and Miscellanea

162. ( Anon. ): "Wilson the Ornithologist," The Literary Gazette, and Journal of Belles Lettres, Arts and Sciences , London, Saturday, September 3, 1831, p. 574. A grotesque notice, based on a rumor, said to have originated in a Philadelphia newspaper, of the death of Audubon in America, but confounding his identity with that of Alexander Wilson, whose death had actually occurred at Philadelphia eighteen years before. In the issue of October 15, the editor acknowledged his error in resurrecting

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