[88] For a photograph of this portrait of Lieutenant Audubon [here reproduced], I am indebted to Miss Maria R. Audubon; the originals of both portraits are now in possession of Audubon's granddaughter, Mrs. Morris F. Tyler.
[89] See [Note, Vol. I, p. 99].
[90] For this and the preceding quotation, see Maria R. Audubon, Audubon and his Journals ([Bibl. No. 86]), vol. i, pp. 18 and 27.
[91] In Dacosta's final statement of his account, which was disputed, carried into court, and eventually settled by arbitration at Philadelphia, on August 1, 1807, these items occur: "Omitted, $300.00, paid by Francis Dacosta to Miers Fisher, on May 24, 1803;" and "Ditto $176.67, the proportion of Francis Dacosta in the rent of the first year, which has not been paid to him." (See [Appendix I, Document 11a]; MSS. in possession of Mr. Welton A. Rosier.)
It seems probable that Dacosta was sent to this country by Lieutenant Audubon to act as his agent for the disposition of "Mill Grove," and to succeed Miers Fisher in the conduct of his business affairs. Interest in the neglected and forgotten mine may have diverted them from their original plans.
[92] The following notice, copied from Relf's Gazette, appeared in the New York Herald for Saturday, November 17, 1804:
"The lead mine discovered on Perkiomen creek, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, the property of Francis Dacosta, has been lately opened, and attended with great success. The vein proves to be a regular one, and of long continuance. Its course is N.N.E.; its direction is nearly perpendicular, and its thickness from one foot to 15 inches. Two tons of that beautiful ore were raised in a few hours, and one ton more at least was left in the bottom on the pit, which is yet but nine feet deep. From the situation of this mine, its nearness to navigation and market, its very commanding height, its richness in metal, and the large scale it forms on; it is thought by judges to be one of the first discoveries yet made in the U. S.
"From the analysis made of 100 parts, it contains:
| Oxyd of lead | 85 |
| Oxyd of iron | 1 |
| Sulphuric acid | 13 |
| Water | 1 |
| 100 |
"The lead being coupelled, has proved to contain 2½ oz. fine silver to 100, which is nearly 3 dollars worth of that metal."