The suspicions raised against Demun by Gen. Wilkinson & Colo. Depeyster’s intercepted letter to him prevented my sending him further orders to proceed with the survey for six months longer & have deprived us of a survey of the coast between Chafalaya and mouth of Mississippi

Two things in this report deserve notice at this time—

1. Facility of conveying the Spanish treasures from Vera Cruz to the Mississippi by the Chafalaya, avoiding the cruising ground at the mouth of the Mississippi.

2. Danger of an enemy landing on the coast, particularly at Barataria, and proceeding by Bayous to N. Orleans, avoiding our flotilla & Plaquemine.