Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Nicholas Meriwether Lewis, 26 October 1804

From Nicholas Meriwether Lewis

Jefferson County Octor 26th 1804

Dear Sir,

I have for two years past lived between two and three Miles below Louisville, and about the same distance from a late purchase made of the Indeans, lying from the Warbash River, up the Ohio. If no surveyor is yet appointed to that purchase, I take the liberty to offer myself for that post. From the long acquaintance I have had the honor of having with you, I conceive recommendations unnecessary. As to my ability to fill that post, I have for many years been no farther interested in mathematics, than common surveying which I have had considerable practice in since I have been in Kentucky. While a student with parson Waddle, I studied Euclid, trigonometry, Surveying, Navigation, and several other things connected with Mathematics, so much as would be necessary, I should carefully revise, if I succeed in the appointment, and devote my whole attention to the business if requesit. My family have enjoyed good health since we left Albemarle

Your Most Obedt. Servt.

Nicholas M. Lewis

RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 15 Nov. and “to be Surveyor in the Delaware purchase” and so recorded in SJL.

late purchase: see TJ to the Senate, 15 Nov.

parson Waddle: that is, James Waddell, the Irish minister and educator who ran a respected “classical school” near Charlottesville (J. Lewis Peyton, History of Augusta County, Virginia [Staunton, Va., 1882], 355; Madison, Papers description begins William T. Hutchinson, Robert A. Rutland, J. C. A. Stagg, and others, eds., The Papers of James Madison, Chicago and Charlottesville, 1962- , 41 vols.; Sec. of State Ser., 1986- , 11 vols.; Pres. Ser., 1984- , 10 vols.; Ret. Ser., 2009- , 3 vols. description ends , 11:51n).

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