Volume 2 — 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.)
Reading edition
[stamp] REP. FRA. 50 cen
Entre nous soussignés Ferdinand Rozier et Jean Audubon, nous proposant de passer aux états Unis sommes Convenus de former une société de Commerce aux Conditions Suivantes.
Article Premier.
La société sera régie sous les noms Collectifs de Ferdinand Rozier et Jean Audubon et chacun de nous aura la Signature pour toute affaire de notre Commerce seulement.
Art. 2.
a Notre arrivée nous prendrons possession de La terre de Mill-Grove, et nous ferons rendre Compte a Mr. Dacosta qui a la procuration d Mr. Audubon pére. nous nous occuperons des moyens de faire valoir cet établissement ou prendre Connoissance de La mine de Plomb Découverte, et avant d'y continuer les travaux Commencés, nous Examinerons si les dépenses faites par le Sr. Dacosta ont été et peuvent nous etre utiles. enfin nous fairons où fairons faire des devis Estimatifs des frais et des produits qui peuvent en résulter. et nous n'entreprendrons rien que nous ne soyons tous deux parfaitement d'accord sur le principe en Conséquence nous signerons l'un et l'autre le projet que nous en arrêterons afin que l'un de nous ne s'en écarte, et il en sera de meme pour toute les nouvelles Dépences qui changeraient les profits arrêtes.
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.
Art. 4.
La Maison cy dessus sera un objet distinct. de tout Commerce afin de pouvoir régler cette propriété tant et tant de fois que Nous le désirerons. il est même Convenu que joindrons aux frais de cette Exploitation ceux nécessaires pour la vie et autres dépences communes tant qu'il nous Conviendra de vivre et d'habiter ensemble.
Art. 5.
Il ne peut nous etre interdit de faire tout autre Commerce, mais avant d'en entreprendre nous resterons six mois a prendre des Informations aux pays de ce qui pourroit nous etre avantageux, alors nous nous livrerions à quelque opération de commerce ou Intérieur ou Maritime.
Art. 6.
Nous pourrons l'un et l'autre faire quelque voyage a l'effet de nous procurer des Connoissances, et s'il arrivait que nous decidions quelque Négociants a envoyer des Marchandises à la vente ou à la Consignation de Mr. Rozier pére nous fairions la Condition que le Bénéfice qui resulteroit de ces Consignations seroit partages entre nous et le Sur. F. Rozier pere.
Art. 7.
Tous les bénéfices comme les pertes résultant de nos Opérations Commerciales seront partagées Egalement entre les associes.
Art. 8.
Les frais de Passage et autre communs entre nous fairont le premier article de nos dépences sociales....
Art. 9.
Nous nous promettons l'un et l'autre amitié et Intelligence, et convenons très expressement qua la moindre difficulté, nous prendrons chacun un arbitre qui sera authorisé a se choisir un troisieme et nous engageons sur notre honneur a en passer par tout ce qui sera décidé, sans que jamais nous puissions en faire appel devant aucuns tribunaux.
Art. 10.
En cas de mort de l'un ou l'autre (ce qu'a Dieu ne plaise) le survivant sera seul charge de la Liquidation pour en tenir Compte à qui de droit, c'est a dire aux héritiers du Déffunt, mais la societé ne pourra etre dissoute que neuf années à Compter du Jour de la Datte du présent. ce Cas seulement arrivant, il sera alloué au survivant une Commission sur les produits de l'Etablissement fixe à Dix pour Cent.
Fait double et de bonne foy entre nous. Nantes ce 23 Mars 1806. Jean Audubon ferdinand Rozier
9a. Translation of the Articles of Association of John Audubon and Ferdinand Rozier.
[stamp] REP. FRA. 50 cen
We, the undersigned, Ferdinand Rozier and John Audubon, who are intending to go to the United States, are agreed to form a partnership in business upon the following conditions:
Article First.
The partnership will be administered under the joint names of Ferdinand Rozier and John Audubon, and each of us will have the power of signature for all matters of our business only.
Art. 2.
Upon our arrival we will take possession of the farm of Mill-Grove, and we will call to account Mr. Dacosta, who has the power of attorney of Mr. Audubon, Senior. We shall take measures to improve the establishment, or make an investigation of the lead mine discovered [on the property], and before continuing the work already begun we will ascertain whether the expenditures made by Sr. Dacosta, have been, and can still be, advantageous to us. Finally we shall prepare, or attempt to prepare, estimates of the expenses and the products which accrue from these, and we shall undertake nothing upon which we are not both perfectly agreed in principle; consequently we shall both subscribe to the project which we shall decide upon, in order that neither of us may depart from it, and it will be the same for all new expenses which might alter the plans that are reached.
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 addition of the items which compose the debit and the credit.
Art. 4.
The house above mentioned [Mill-Grove farmhouse] shall be an object separate from all business, in order that we may settle matters as completely as we desire. It is agreed that we shall add to the expenses of this exploitation, those necessary for life, and others of a common character, so long as it shall suit us to live and dwell together.
Art. 5.
We cannot be prevented from engaging in any other kind of business, but before undertaking it we shall remain six months in order to gather from the country information of a kind that would be advantageous to us; we shall then apply ourselves to some commercial occupation, whether inland or maritime.
Art. 6.
We are both at liberty to make any journey in order to procure information, and should it happen that we persuade any merchants to send goods to Mr. Rozier, Senior, we would establish the condition that the benefit which might result from these consignments would be divided between us and the Mr. F. Rozier, Senior.
Art. 7.
All the benefits as well as the losses resulting from our commercial transactions shall be divided equally between the partners.
Art. 8.
The expenses of the journey and others of a common nature shall make the first item of our social expenses....
Art. 9.
We both resolve to maintain friendship and mutual understanding, and we agree very expressly that, upon the least difficulty, we shall each select one arbitrator, who will be authorized to choose a third, and we promise upon our honor to fully accept the decision that shall be reached, without ever having it in our power to make an appeal from it before any courts.
Art. 10.
In case of the death of one or the other (which, God forbid), the survivor shall have sole charge of making a settlement, in order to give an accounting to those entitled to it by law, that is to say to the heirs of the deceased, but the partnership cannot be dissolved until after nine years, counting from the day of the date of the present [instrument]. Only in this event, the survivor will be allowed a commission upon the products of the establishment fixed at ten per cent.
Done in duplicate and in good faith between us. Nantes this 23 March 1806. John Audubon ferdinand Rozier
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.
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Par devant Royer et Son Collégue, notaires à la résidence de Nantes, département de la Loire-inférieure soussignés,——————ont comparu le Sieur Jean Audubon, rentier, et dame Anne Moinet, son épouse qu'il autorise, demeurants rue Rubens, No. 39, et monsieur Claude-françois Rozier, négociant, rue de la fosse, tous trois commune de nantes, Les quels constituent pour leurs Procureurs généraux et spéciaux Jean Audubon, fils, et ferdinand Rozier, fils, aux quels, l'un en l'absence de l'autre, ils donnent pouvoir et procuration de faire, pour et au mieux de l'intérêt de Constituants, tous réglements de comptes, éligements de crédits, recovrements, payements, et autres actes analogues avec tous fermiers, correspondants, débiteurs et créanciers des Constituants aux Etats-unis d'Amérique; plaider, constituer, transiger, recevoir, donner quittances, renouveler, prendre termes, expedier et géréralement faire pour leur utilité, tout ce qui leur semblera le plus convenable; le tout, d'après les renseignements, pieces et documents relatifs, qui leur ont été, leur sont ou leur seront fournis tant par les constituants que par autres leurs précédents chargés d'affaires et fondés de pouvoirs aux dits Etats-unis de régir, gérer et administrer la moitié appartenante aux constituants de la terre de Mill Grove en Pensylvania même d'exploiter ou faire exploiter la mine de plomb récemment découverte sur la dite terre: consulter dans tous les cas importants, monsieur Miers fisher,—négociant à Philadelphie, comme ami commun et bon conseil; tenir tous livres et registres nécessaires, faire à la fin de chaque année ou plutôt, la balance de la recette et dépense pour la régie de la dite terre et l'exploitation de la mine, s'il y a lieu; vendre aux prix, charges, clauses et conditions dont il conviendront, mais d'accord avec monsieur Dacosta, propriétaire de l'autre moitié, la moitié de la dite terre de Mill grove, appartenante aux constituants, en toucher le prix, en donner quittances, faire tous partages, accepter tout lot et généralement faire pour l'intérêt des constituants tous actes conservatoires et definitifs en tous tribunaux, devant toutes administrations et officiers publics, qui leur paraitront nécessaires ou utiles; à l'effet de quoi, tous pouvoirs analogues exprimés ou non exprimés pour tous cas prévus ou imprévus, même de substituer en tout ou partie des dits pourvoirs, qui bon leur semblera et de le revoquer, leur sont donnés par la présente procuration qui ne sera pas sujette à surannation.——
fait et passé en l'étude et au rapport de Royer, l'un de nous, sous les seings des comparants, après lecture, ce jour trois avril mil-huit-cent six. la minute est signée des parties et des Notaires soussignés; elle est restée à Royer, l'un d'eux, enregistrée à nantes le trois avril mil-huit-cent-six par Dufau, qui a reçu un franc dix centimes.
Varsavaux J. Noyer vu par nous président du tribunal de première instance séant à nantes, pour légalisation des Signatures varsavaux et Noyer apposées ci-dessus. Ce jour trois avril mil huit cent six Gandon
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 Messrs J Royer and Varsavaux both Notaries publick for the City of Nantes and of Mr 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
[Seal]
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand & affixed my Seal of Office at Nantes this 4th. of april 1806.
W D Patterson
10a. Translation of the Power of Attorney issued by Jean Audubon, Anne Moinet Audubon, and Claude François Rozier to Jean Audubon and Ferdinand Rosier, April 4, 1806.
[stamp] REP. FRA. 75 cen
In presence of Royer and his colleague, notaries, living at Nantes, department of the Loire-inférieure undersigned,—————————have appeared Sieur Jean Audubon, capitalist, and Madame Anne Moinet, his wife, whom he authorizes [to act], living at Number 39, rue Rubens, and Monsieur Claude François Rozier, of rue de la Fosse, all three of the commune of Nantes: who empower, to act as their general and special attorneys, Jean Audubon, the younger, and Ferdinand Rozier, the son, to whom, jointly and severally, they give authority and warrant of attorney to make, for and in the best interest of the grantors, all settlements of accounts, assignments of credits, recoveries of debts, payments, and other analogous acts with all tenants, representatives, debtors and creditors of the grantors in the United States of America; to go into court, settle, compromise, receive, to give receipts, to renew [loans or notes], to grant time, to expedite, and in general to do for their benefit all that shall seem to them most fitting; the whole, according to the instructions, papers, and documents relating thereto, which have been, are, or shall be furnished them, as well by the grantors as by their previous agents and attorneys in the aforesaid United States, to govern, conduct, and administer the half, belonging to the grantors, of the farm of Mill Grove in Pennsylvania, as well as to exploit, or cause to be exploited the lead mine recently discovered on the said farm; to consult, in every important matter, Mr. Miers Fisher,—merchant at Philadelphia, as a common friend and good counsellor; to keep all necessary books and registers; at the end of each year, or sooner, to strike the balance of receipts and expenses for the control of the said farm and the exploitation of the mine, should there be reason for it; to sell at prices, charges, stipulations, and conditions, upon which they shall agree, but In accord with Monsieur Dacosta, owner of the other half, the half of the said farm of Mill Grove, belonging to the grantors; to receive the price thereof, to give receipt for it, to make all divisions, to receive all allotments, and in general to perform for the interest of the grantors all conservative and final acts in every court of justice before all jurisdictions and public officers, which shall seem to them necessary or useful: to the effect of which all analogous powers, expressed or unexpressed, foreseen or unforeseen, even of substituting in whole or in part of the aforesaid powers, whosoever shall seem good to them, and of revoking him, are given to them by the present bill of attorney, which will not be subject to expiration.—— Done and granted in the office and on the report of Royer, one of us, under the signatures of the persons in appearance, after reading, this third day of April, one thousand eight hundred and six. The minute is signed by the parties and the undersigned notaries; it remains with Royer, one of us, recorded at Nantes the third of April one thousand eight hundred and six, by Dufau, who has received one franc, ten centimes.
Varsavaux J. Noyer [Seal] Examined by us, judge of the Court of the First Instance, sitting at Nantes, for the authentication of the signatures Varsavaux and Royer, affixed above, this third day of April, one thousand eight hundred and six. Gandon
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. (Statement accompanying the letter of Thomas Bakewell, reproduced in Vol. I, p. 196.)
Drs Messrs John Audubon & Ferdinand Rozier in Account Current with Benjn Bakewell Crs.
1807
Augt 1 To Sundry Merchdize pr Invoice $2482 35 Augt. 4 By your note at 8 mos $3647 29
31 " Cash sundry expences on the above 6 44 Decr. 31 " net proceeds sales on your a/c 4.50
Septr 29 " Merchdize Powder Horns shot bags &c 57 319.35 323 85
Novr 13 " W Taylor exps on Do to Pittsburgh 3 77 " Francis Rozier balance his a/c 816 56
" Cash certificate property pr Mentor to Nantes 2 $4787 50
30 " Do postage sundry french letters 3 14
Decer 31 " Advt pr Jane # for Indigo & expences 1516 43
1808
Jany 29 " Cash frt & cartge Oil from Philada 12 45 Feby 1 By Balance as pr a/c rendered $ 695 12
30 " Do pd Hislop for breast pins on your a/c 9 March 1 " your dft on U S Bank Philada 2000
Balance 695 12 " commission on goods allowed you $118.20 [paper torn]
deduct ⅓ profit on french goods 24.26 [ 93.94 ]
4787 50 25 " R Kinder & Co's accepte @ 6 mos. [paper torn]
March 1 To Merche pr Bill @ 6 mos $ 161 " L Huron's note — " 9 days. [ " ]
April 7 " your note due this day 3647 29 your note @ 4 mos for balance [ " ]
" R. Henderson amt due him by you 72 12 Balance [ 924.49 ]
June 27 " Cash cartge & Lighterage on tobacco 7 50 New York Decemr. 13th. 1808 for the Assignees of the [estate of Benjamin Bakewell]
" Freight & primage— " Do 105 Th[omas Bakewell]
July 28 " your note due this day 787 73
Septr 23 " Mdse 1 doz sans paraitres 24 24
$4804 90
Decr 13 To Balance $924 49
Note by the Author. For brig Mentor, see Chapter XI, Vol. I, p. 163, and for the ship Jane, Captain Sammis, ibid., p. 158. For Messrs. Robert Kinder & Company, see accompanying letter of Thomas Bakewell, Vol. I, p. 196, and letter of William Bakewell, his uncle, ibid., p. 199. Laurence Huron was a French importer, resident in Philadelphia; for his award in the disputed Dacosta claim, see Vol. I, p. 168. At this time Benjamin Bakewell's importing business was in the hands of his creditors, but his son, Thomas Bakewell, was still employed in the office.
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. (For comment, see Vol. I, p. 168.)
Dr. Mill Grove Farm—in account with Francis Dacosta Cr.
1806 1806
July 15th. To printers Charges for advertising 4 44 Sepbre 26 By lead ore valued & divided 160
Aug. 23d To horse hired 4 50 ditto By tools & furniture—ditto—ditto 189 36
Octb 15 To housing the chair 4 months 4 By M. Mackley s/ refunding money / 2 00
Nov. 29 To Notariat and Consular charges in Bordeaux for Certificate to make void the mortgage & bond given to M. Fisher as agent 29 52 Oct. 11 By sale of the Chair 75
1807 1807
July 25 Ballance 390 62 april 6 By Sale of 84 panes of Glass to John Pawling 6 72
$433 8 $433 8
Dr. John Audubon of Nantz in Account Current with Francis Dacosta Cr.
1806
June 1st To Balance brought from the last account 316 27
1807 1807
July 25 to interest of the same to this day 13 m., 25 Dc 21 15 By cash 6 47
Sepbr 26 to his half in the Lead ore delivered to him & valued as above $160 80 July 25 By half of the ballance of the Mill Grove Farm—account current amounting as per the above account to 390.62 195 31
ditto to ditto in the tools and furniture do do at $189.36 94 67 do do Ballance claimed this day 950 64
Octbr 15 to ditto in the chair Sold 75 Dollars 37 50
to the recorder in Norristown for entering satisfaction of John Audubon mortgage to John Augustine Prevost 2 83
to compensation claimed by Francis Dacosta for making up half of his expences, in managing the mining Works, the mills repairs, & taking up the formation of a Company, during two years of constant cares—troubles—and loss of time at 300 dollars a year 600 00
$1152 42 $1152 42
E. E. Philadelphia the 25th July 1807
[Signed] Francis Dacosta.
Erreurs à réléver dans le Compte de M. J. Audubon
Veritables valeurs " an lieu de Difference
dans le Balance " 125"8 300 " 174.92
do Furnitures " 189"36 270 " 80.64
do Chairs " 75" 125 " 50 "
do Mine 120.29 280.29 400" 119 "71
do —160 " —— ——
$425-27
la moitié est de 212.63½
Omis $300 payé par francis Dacosta à Miers Fisher le 24 May 1803 300
Ditto $176"67 La proportion de Fis Dacosta dans la rente de la premiere annee qui ne lui a pas été payé 176.67
$689.30
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.
I John Audibon having this day by mutual Consent with Ferdinand Rozier, dissolved and forever closed the partnership and firm of Audibon & Rozier,—and having Received from said Ferdinand Rozier, payments and notes to the full amount of my part of the goods & debts of the late firm of Audibon & Rozier—I the said John Audibon one of the firm aforesaid, do hereby release and forever quit Claim to all or any Interest which I have or may have in the Stock on hand and debts due to the Late Firm of Audibon & Rozier unto him the said Ferdinand Rozier, all my rights titles, claimes and Interest in the goods merchandise and debts due to the late Firm of Audibon & Rozier—and do hereby authorize and empower him for my part to collect the same in any manner whatseer. either privately or by suit or suits in law or equity—hereby acclaiming him sole and absolute proprietor and rightful owner of all the goods merchandises & debts of the firm aforesaid, as completely as they were the goods and property of the Late firm of Audibon & Rozier—
In witness whereof I have hereto Set my hand & Seal this Sixth day of April 1811
[Seal] John Audubon
Ed D. De Villmonte
Note by the Author. It will be noticed that the naturalist writes his name seven times as "Audibon," in this document, but signs in the way usual with him at the period. See Vol. I, p. 24.