To Thomas Jefferson from Lewis Waugh, 18 December 1804
From Lewis Waugh
King George County Virginia Decr. 18th. 1804
Sir
A friend of mine has just returned from exploreing the Louisiana Country. and is delighted with New Madrid and its neighbourhood; insomuch that he has induced a number of good Citizens to wish a residence there provided they cou’d be satisfyd of its permanence to the United States. An idea has gone forth that it’s in contemplation with the Government of the United States to exchange that part of Louisiana for the teritory holden by the Indians on the East side of the Massisippi. Being pressed by some of my friends and urged by my own feelings I am prevailed upon to make the inquery of you (provided there is no impropriety in so doing) Whither we shou’d be safe in risking our fortunes in that desireable Country. I can not only influence some Gentlemen of fortune to accompany me but some useful mechanecks—If its wished to know who I am inquery may be made of Daniel Carrol Brent, John Thompson Mason and Nicholas Fitzhugh Esqrs. A letter in answer to this lodged at Frederecksburg will confer an Obligation on Sir your
humb Servt.
Lewis Waugh
RC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); endorsed by TJ as received 4 Jan. 1805 and so recorded in SJL.
Lewis Waugh advertised for sale several large tracts of land in King George and Stafford Counties, Virginia, in 1795 and was apparently still living on one of them four years later, when he advertised the sale of cordwood and ship timber from his landing on Potomac Creek. He represented King George County in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1795 and 1796 (Philadelphia Gazette of the United States, 31 Jan. 1795; Columbian Mirror and Alexandria Gazette, 9 Nov. 1799; , 200, 204).