To James Madison from Joseph McMinn, 30 October 1815
From Joseph McMinn
Executive Office Nashville Octr 30. 1815.
Sir,
Owing to the melancholy death of Genl. John Sevier, who was acting as one of the Commissioners for running the boundary line of the Country ceded by the creek Indians to the United States, there will have to be an appointment of a Successor.
I consider it a part of my public duty, to advise and confer with the General Government in this appointment, as the State over which I have the honour to preside, is greatly interested in the peace and tranquility of the frontier bordering on the Creek Nation.
It is very interesting to the State of Tennessee to have a commissioner in fixing this boundary line—and it is further considered it would be of importance to select him from among those who served in the creek war, as it is to be presumed his Knowledge of the country, Character and dispositions of the Indians would be greatly Superior to any other person.
In looking around for a distinguished and Confidential character to fill this important Situation, there is no person in this country whom I would recommend in preference to Major General William Carroll of Nashville.1
His activity, courage, zeal and enterprize during the whole of the Creek war, entitle him to high Consideration with the Government. Besides the people of Tennessee owe him a debt of Gratitude for the rapidity of the march of his Army to New orleans and his great exertions in the defence of that important City during the invasion of Louisiana by the British Forces last winter.
You will pardon me for suggesting that Genl. Carroll’s youth and health will permit him to undergo any Exposure or fatigue, and I am further warranted in saying that there is no man who possesses more Sterling integrity or a better moral character, and that his appointment would give general satisfaction to the people of this Country. I have the honor to be very respectfully your obedient Servant
Joseph Mc.Minn 2
RC (DNA: RG 94, Letters Received, filed under “Carroll”). Docketed as received in the War Department in November 1815.
1. William Carroll (1788–1844), a native of Pennsylvania, moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1810. He pursued a mercantile career there while attaining the rank of major general in the militia. His well-drilled and well-armed division of three thousand Tennessee volunteers arrived outside New Orleans on 22 Dec. 1814, providing a much-needed and timely reinforcement for Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson’s army; Carroll’s militia formed the center of the U.S. defensive line during the Battle of New Orleans. After the war Carroll resumed business in Nashville. He served a record six terms as governor of Tennessee, 1821–27 and 1829–35 (Sobel and Raimo, Biographical Directory of the Governors, 4:1468–69; Quimby, U.S. Army in the War of 1812, 2:830, 867, 890).
2. Joseph McMinn (1758–1824) was born in Pennsylvania, fought in Virginia in the Revolutionary War, and about 1786 migrated to Hawkins County, Tennessee, where he established a tavern. He was a member of the Southwestern territorial assembly, 1794–95, and the Tennessee General Assembly, 1796–99 and 1801–11. McMinn’s three terms as governor, 1815–21, were notable for large Indian land cessions to the state, in which he was a principal negotiator. In 1823 he was appointed U.S. agent to the Cherokees (Sobel and Raimo, Biographical Directory of the Governors, 4:1468; 3:336–38).