[238] See [Chapter II, pp. 33 and 34].
[239] From G. L. du Puigaudeau's copy of his letter to John James Audubon (at Henderson), dated "Couëron, August 15, 1819," translated from the French. (Lavigne MSS.)
[240] See [Vol. I, p. 64].
[241] This, and the letter to follow, translated from Gabriel du Puigaudeau's copies. (Lavigne MSS.)
[242] This reference is evidently to the litigation over Lieutenant Audubon's will and the final disposition of his estate.
[243] It was thought that Victor had come to settle the family's financial affairs, and his uncle and aunt asked if this were the case; he replied that it was not, that the children of Jean Audubon who were in America had taken their [share of the] property in that country, while those in France had theirs in France; he considered that all was settled, but if Rosa's children wished for any money, they had but to ask for it, and the heirs in America would send them what they desired; the subject was then dropped. A considerable correspondence followed this visit, but the letters were all destroyed about twenty-five years ago by Monsieur du Puigaudeau, when putting his effects in order. This account is given on the authority of Monsieur Lavigne.
[244] These passages, which were shown to me by his granddaughter, Miss Maria R. Audubon, in 1914, but not for publication, occur in his journals under the following dates; June 4, 1826, at sea; March 15, 1827, at Edinburgh, after describing a visit of Lady Selkirk and her daughter; again on the 18th of March of the same or the following year; and on October 8, 1828, when writing to his wife from Paris and reflecting on the advisability of visiting his old home at Nantes. While these extraordinary passages are not quoted, out of deference to the wishes of his granddaughters, it seems only just to Audubon, in view of the revelations that have already been made, to add this brief reference to the incidents in question.
[245] This statement was made to me in 1914 by Miss Maria R. Audubon.
[246] See [Note, Vol. I, p. 27].
[247] In the first three volumes only of the Ornithological Biography ([Bibl. No. 2]), being omitted from the last two on account of the exigencies of space.