Augusta County: A. Waddill to J. H. McCue, January
29, 1859
Summary:
Waddill discusses the profitability of publishing a newspaper and feels that
McCue lives in a "wealth section of country, and that a paper could succeed well
there." Waddill added that he thinks "a neutral paper would succeed better than
a political one, but I am Whig to the core."
A. Waddill's
General Newspaper Advertising Agency
Office of the Virginian,
January 29th 1859
Lynchburg,
J. H. McCue, Esq.
Dear Sir; I recd. yours this morning, and I am sorry to trouble you so much in my
behalf, but I must, you know, get all the information I can, where nearly my all would be at stake; Therefore I am in hopes you
will excuse me for intruding on your time. My object in requesting the
subscription of a dozen citizens for the first year
was merely to put the paper in a firm footing; I did not wish it in advance, for
there are but few villages where there are not a dozen men to be found, who
would not be willing to advertise to the amount of $30 each during the year. But
if 500 subscribers, (good) can be obtained, to [unclear: convince] with,
the thing would be settled. I never was there, but it strikes me that that is a
wealthy section of country, and that a paper could succeed well there. If we
succeed in getting the subscribers, I am in hopes we will be able to remunerate
you in some way for your kindness in taking such an interest in the enterprize.
If you say so, I will send my son-in-law there next Court-day, and get you and
your friends to make a strong pull and we will have an office there, and I
believe your
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citizens will support it liberally. Of course your
Clerks, Lawyers, Merchants &C., would do all they could to keep it up.
500 subscribers to begin with would establish the paper on a firm footing. I
have all the material, and all of it paid for. I think
a neutral paper would succeed better than a political one, but I am Whig to the core. I presume you will be there at your
court day. How near Lovingston does the Railroad run? I mean when it is done,
and how far is Lovingston from Charlottesville? When is your court day?
Respectfully your friend,
A. Waddill
