The Eagle Creek Venture

In 1801, Waldemar discovers that du Pont's Scott County land is crisscrossed by conflicting claims of ownership, as was typical of much Kentucky land at that time. His work is delayed by the difficulty of persuading the original surveyor to accompany him there. The soil in du Pont's tract, where the latter had originally wanted to establish a utopian community, is not especially fertile. It is in addition too far from outlets for its produce. In November 1801, Waldemar takes emergency steps to prevent the land from being sold for nonpayment of taxes. In the summer of 1802, du Pont sells the land to his son, Victor, and returns to France. Waldemar is rehired as land agent, and having decided to enter commerce, persuades Victor to supply him with merchandise to sell. Victor becomes increasingly slow to reply to Waldemar's letters. Unbeknownst to Waldemar, Victor is staving off a bankruptcy to which in August 1805 he succumbs.