To James Madison from Louis-André Pichon, 7 April 1804 (Abstract)
§ From Louis-André Pichon
7 April 1804, Georgetown. Encloses a commission from the first consul1 naming Paul-Marie-Louis Martel commercial agent for Kentucky and asks JM to obtain an exequatur from the president. Believes the omission of a place of residence in the commission was inadvertent and that the intention of the French government is that the post will comprehend the Mississippi Territory. This presumption leads him to request, if the U.S. government does not object, that Martel’s exequatur permit him to reside and to exercise his functions at Natchez, which under U.S. law is a port of entry and delivery and consequently of foreign trade.2 Martel’s nomination is in large part a reward through promotion for his good behavior and his services as commercial agent at Norfolk and Baltimore. Mentions this in order to assure JM that in his new position Martel will continue to merit the esteem of the public authorities.
RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 59, NFL, France, vol. 1); Tr (AAE: Political Correspondence, U.S., 57:137). RC 3 pp.; in French; docketed by Wagner as received the same day. For enclosure, see n. 1.
1. The enclosure (1 p.; in French) is a copy of the 3 Messidor an XI (22 June 1803) commission naming Martel commercial agent for Kentucky.
2. See section 5 of “An act for laying and collecting duties on imports and tonnage within the territories ceded to the United States, by the treaty of the thirtieth of April, one thousand eight hundred and three, between the United States and the French Republic, and for other purposes,” 24 Feb. 1804 (, 2:251–54).