To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne (Abstract), 29 April 1805
§ From William C. C. Claiborne
29 April 1805, New Orleans. “Since my last,1 I have addressed a Letter to Governor Folch upon the Subject of the Road and no private opportunity having offered, I have forwarded it by Captain Carmick2 of the Army, who will also convey to me the Governors Answer. Colonel Freeman was obliging enough to grant me on this occasion, the benefit of Captain Carmicks Services.
“Messrs Sauvé Detrahan and Derbigny3 reached their respective homes on the day before yesterday; On this morning Mr. Sauvé came to the City and paid me a visit. The Deputies are certainly dissatisfied; but I am inclined to think that they will not attempt to inflame the public mind. The Council is yet in Session; an adjournment will take place in two or three days. I shall visit in a few days the Settlements on the Mississippi as high up as Point Coupeé but will return again to New Orleans in 14 days; in the mean time Such dispatches for me as may arrive, will be forwarded to me by my private Secretary, who remains in the City.”
RC (DNA: RG 59, TP, Orleans, vol. 6); letterbook copy (ibid.); letterbook copy (LU: LOUISiana Digital Library, Official Letter Book W. C. C. Claiborne). RC 2 pp.; in a clerk’s hand, emended and signed by Claiborne; docketed by Wagner.
1. Claiborne to JM, 22 Apr. 1805. For the post road through West Florida, see Claiborne to JM, 21 Apr. 1805 (second letter), and nn. 5–6.
2. Pennsylvania native Daniel Carmick (1773–1816) joined the marines during the Quasi-War with France, later served in the Mediterranean, and was assigned to New Orleans in 1804. Although his mission to Pensacola suffered several setbacks, he did acquire Folch’s permission for the post road. After his return to New Orleans, Carmick was reassigned to Philadelphia and Washington, where his clashes with marine commandant Franklin Wharton led to a court-martial and acquittal. He served briefly in New Orleans in 1807 and again from 1809 until his death which official Marine Corps records ascribed to wounds received at the Battle of New Orleans (Bradley, Interim Appointment, 461–75).
3. For the commission carrying the memorial of the Louisiana citizens to Congress, see Claiborne to JM, 1 July 1804 and 3 Oct. 1804, 7:405–6, 8:120.