Audubon the Naturalist

CHAPTER XXVI. Explorations in Florida and the South Atlantic

EXPLORATIONS IN FLORIDA AND THE SOUTH ATLANTIC

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Obituary published in London on day of his arrival in New York—Assistance from the Government—John Bachman becomes his friend—Winter in Charleston—His folios as gifts—To Florida with two assistants—Letters to Featherstonhaugh—St. Augustine—Misadventures in the mud of East Florida—Audubon on Florida's future—At the sources of the St. John's—Aboard the Marion—Return from Key West—A merchant of Savannah—Disbanding of party at Charleston 1

CHAPTER XXVII. Eastern Visit and Explorations in the North Atlantic

EASTERN VISIT AND EXPLORATIONS IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC

Bachman's success as a canvasser—Boston visit—Journey to Portland—Ascent of the St. John's—Return overland—Victor Audubon becomes his father's agent—Winter in Boston—The Golden Eagle—Stricken with illness—Expedition to Labrador planned—American support—Sails from Eastport with five assistants—Discoveries and adventures on the Labrador—Safe return—Another winter in Charleston—Sued for old debts—Experience with vultures—Advice and instruction to a son—Working habits—Return to England 26

CHAPTER XXVIII. Thorns on the Rose

THORNS ON THE ROSE

Contributions to magazines—Attacked in Philadelphia—Statement to Sully—The rattlesnake episode—Behavior of a Philadelphia editor—Mistaken identity in account of the reptile—Lesson of the serpent's tooth—Audubon's long lost lily rediscovered—"Nosarians and Anti-Nosarians"—Bachman and Audubon on vultures—Aim of the critics—Authorship in the Biography—His most persistent heckler—Pitfall of analogy 67

CHAPTER XXIX. Sidelights on Audubon and His Contemporaries

SIDELIGHTS ON AUDUBON AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES

What was a Quinarian?—Controversy over the authorship of the Ornithological Biography—Audubon's quaint proposal—Swainson's reply—Friendship suffers a check—Species-mongers—Hitting at one over the shoulders of another—Swainson as a biographer—His career—Bonaparte's grievance—A fortune in ornithology—Labors of John Gould and his relations with Audubon—The freemasonry of naturalists 93

CHAPTER XXX. Audubon and Macgillivray

AUDUBON AND MACGILLIVRAY

In London once more—MacGillivray's assistance continued—Return to Edinburgh—MacGillivray's character and accomplishments—Audubon's acknowledgments—Tributes of "Christopher North"—Results of overwork—Fusillades from "Walton Hall"—Progress of the large plates 125

CHAPTER XXXI. Third American Tour, 1836-1837

THIRD AMERICAN TOUR, 1836-1837

In New York harbor—Collections from the Far West—Audubon's efforts to secure them—Return to Boston—Friendship of Daniel Webster—Renewed efforts to obtain the Nuttall-Townsend collection—Expedition to the west coast of Florida—Deferred governmental aid—Another winter with Bachman—Overland journey to New Orleans—On board the Crusader—Mistaken for pirates—With Harris and his son explores the Gulf coast—The Republic of Texas—Visit to its capital and president—Meeting in Charleston—Marriage of his son—Their return to England 146

CHAPTER XXXII. Audubon's Greatest Triumph

AUDUBON'S GREATEST TRIUMPH

Extension of his work—Financial panic and revolt of patrons—New western collections—His "book of Nature" completed—Work on the letterpress in Edinburgh—Vacation in the Highlands—Commissions to Harris—Parting address to the reader—Dissolution of the Havell engraving establishment—The residuum of The Birds of America—Robert Havell, engraver, and his family—Lizars' first edition and the Havell reissues of plates—Brief manual for collectors—Appreciations—Total edition of The Birds of America—Past and present prices—The Rothschild incident 168

CHAPTER XXXIII. New Enterprises and Life At "minnie's Land"

NEW ENTERPRISES AND LIFE AT "MINNIE'S LAND"

Settlement in New York—The Birds in miniature, and work on the Quadrupeds—Marriage of Victor Audubon—Coöperation of Bachman in the Quadrupeds secured—Prospectuses—History of the octavo edition of the Birds—Baird's enthusiasm and efficient aid—Parkman's Wren—Baird's visit to Audubon in New York—"Look out for Martens," and wildcats—New home on the Hudson—Godwin's pilgrimage to "Minnie's Land" in 1842 208

CHAPTER XXXIV. Expedition to the Upper Missouri

EXPEDITION TO THE UPPER MISSOURI

Ambitions at fifty-seven—Plans his last expedition in the rôle of naturalist—Credentials from public men—Canvassing tour in Canada described—Baird's plans to accompany Audubon west frustrated—Western expedition begun—Ascent of the Missouri and Yellowstone—Discoveries of new birds—A wilderness that howls—Buffalo hunting—Passing of the great herds—Return from Fort Union—Incident on the canal boat—Completion of the octavo edition of the Birds 239

CHAPTER XXXV. Final Work Days

FINAL WORK DAYS

Painting the Quadrupeds—Assistance of Bachman and Audubon's sons—Copper plates of the Birds go through the fire in New York—Audubon a spectator at the ruins—Bachman's ultimatum—Success of the illustrations of the Quadrupeds—Bachman's letterpress—Recommendation of Baird—J. W. Audubon in London—Bachman's assistants—His life and labors—Decline of Audubon's powers—Dr. Brewer's visit—Audubon's last letters—His death at "Minnie's Land" 261

CHAPTER XXXVI. Afterword: Audubon's Family in America

AFTERWORD: AUDUBON'S FAMILY IN AMERICA

Bachman completes his text on the Quadrupeds—Victor Audubon's success in canvassing—John Woodhouse Audubon's family—New houses at "Minnie's Land"—Second octavo edition of the Birds—Victor Audubon's illness and death—Attempt to reissue The Birds of America in America—The residual stock of this imperfect edition—Death of John Woodhouse Audubon—His career and work as an artist and field collector—Mrs. Audubon resumes her old vocation—Fate of "Minnie's Land"—Death of Mrs. Audubon—Her share in her husband's fame—Story written on Audubon's original drawings—Fate of the original copper plates of the Birds—A boy comes to the rescue—"Minnie's Land" today—The "Cave"—A real "Audubon Park" 291

Appendix I

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS

1. Copy of the original bill rendered by Doctor Sanson, physician at Les Cayes, Santo Domingo, to Jean Audubon, containing the only existing record of the birth of his son, Jean Jacques Fougère Audubon, on April 26, 1785; Les Cayes, December 29, 1783-October 19, 1785 314

1a. Translation of the Sanson Bill 315

2. Copy of the Act of Adoption of Fougère (John James Audubon) and Muguet (Rosa Audubon), Nantes, March 7, 1794 328

3. Copy of the Act of Baptism of Jean Jacques Fougère Audubon, Nantes, October 23, 1800 329

4. Copy of a bill of sale of Negroes rendered by Monsieur Ollivier to Monsieur Audubon, Les Cayes, Santo Domingo, 1785 330

5. Statement of Accounts of Messrs. Audubon, Lacroix, Formon & Jacques in the purchase of Negroes from M. Th. Johnston, Les Cayes, Santo Domingo, 1785 331

6. Copy of bill of sale of Negroes to Monsieur Audubon, and a Statement of his account with Messrs. Lucas Brothers & Constant, Les Cayes, Santo Domingo, August 7, 1785-June 9, 1788 334

7. Accounts of William Bakewell of "Fatland Ford" as protégé of his future son-in-law, and as attorney or agent for Audubon & Rozier, giving certain exact indications of the naturalist's early movements and personal relations, before and after finally leaving "Mill Grove," January 4, 1805-April 9, 1810 336

8. Concerning a Power of Attorney issued by Lieutenant Audubon and Anne Moynet Audubon to Ferdinand Rozier and John Audubon, the Younger, at Couëron, France, in 1805; parts in French translated by a Philadelphia notary; signatures of original document authenticated by the Mayor of Couëron, October 21, 1805; his attest of the legality of Anne Moynet Audubon's signature at Couëron, October 27, 1805; authentication of the signature of the Mayor of Couëron by the Subprefect of Savenay, November 27, 1805; attest of the Subprefect's signature by the Prefect 340

9. Articles of Association of Jean Audubon and Ferdinand Rozier to govern their partnership in business; drawn up at Nantes, March 23, 1806 344

9a. Translation of the Articles of Association of Jean Audubon and Ferdinand Rozier 346

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 350

10a. Translation of the Power of Attorney issued by Jean Audubon, Anne Moynet Audubon, and Claude François Rozier to Jean Audubon and Ferdinand Rozier, April 4, 1806 351

11. Account current of John Audubon and Ferdinand Rozier with the estate of Benjamin Bakewell, late commission merchant in New York, showing their dealings and standing with this house during the first sixteen months of their business experience in the West. Covers the period August 1, 1807, to December 13, 1808 354

11a. Final Account of Francis Dacosta, rendered July 25, 1807, to Lieutenant Jean Audubon, his partner in the unfortunate mining enterprise at "Mill Grove"; later contested and settled by arbitration 356

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 359

13. Copy of a portion of the first Will of Lieutenant Jean Audubon, Couëron, May 20, 1812 360

14. Copy of the second and last Will of Lieutenant Jean Audubon, March 15, 1816 361

15. Copy of a portion of the first Will of Madame Anne Moynet, wife of Lieutenant Audubon, December 4, 1814 363

16. Copy of a portion of the second Will of Madame Jean Audubon, May 10, 1816 364

17. Copy of the third Will, "No. 169, of Madame Anne Moynet, widow of M. Jean Audubon, living at his house called "La Gerbetière," and situated near the village of Port-Launay, not far from Couëron," December 26, 1819 366

18. Copy of a portion of the fourth and last will of Madame Jean Audubon, living at the house of "The Turtle Doves" ("Les Tourterelles"), at Couëron, July 16, 1821 367

19. Notice of the death of Lieutenant Jean Audubon, from the official registry of Nantes, Nantes, February 19, 1818 369

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 370

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 372

Appendix Ii

AUDUBON'S EARLY DATED DRAWINGS MADE IN FRANCE AND AMERICA

Drawings now in the collections of Mr. Joseph Y. Jeanes of Philadelphia, and formerly belonging to Mr. Edward Harris, of Moorestown, New Jersey; of Mr. John E. Thayer, Lancaster, Massachusetts, and of Harvard University 375

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