Further research reveals that John Carmille petitioned the SC Senate for permission to Emancipate Henriette and their children Charlotte, Francis and Nancy.

John Carmille's petition to the SC Senate is transcribed in:

Schweninger, Loren 2001 The Southern Debate Over Slavery: Petitions to Southern Legislatures, 1778-1864. University of Iliinois Press, pp. 73-74.

Transcription:

John Carmille, Charleston, to South Carolina Senate, ca. 1823

To the Honourable the President & Members of the Senate of the State of South Carolina –

The Petition of John Carmille respectfully sheweth: That he is a resident in the city of Charleston in the said state & that for many years past has endeavored to conduct himself as an upright & useful citizen – That some years ago it was his fortune to form a domestic connection with a female named Henrietta & he has had by her three children to wit: Charlotte, Francis & Nancy. That the said Henrietta & her children are of the following ages to wit: Henrietta, Twenty Six Charlotte, Eleven, Francis five, and Nancy three years of age all the class called Mulattoes, & according to the Laws of this state in the condition of absolute Slaves, the property of your petitioner – Your Petitioner is aware that in making the above statement, he is open to censure as infringing the rules of propriety & decorum – He has however no alternative but to make the present application or to remain indifferent to the present melancholy situation of his family, who excluded as they are from the blessing of society, are still dear to your Petitioner & dependent on him for those comforts which the Policy of our Laws may afford to that class of the community – The object of the Petitioner is to solicit that you would Kindly interpose & adopt such measures as may effect the emancipation of the said slaves and as an inducement to a result which would be so grateful to the feelings of your Petitioner be begs to leave to state, that it had always been his intention to adopt the legal means for accomplishment of the above object until he was unexpectedly disabled by the act of the last Session – He therefore indulges the fond hope that a proceeding of the Legislature so unforeseen will not be permitted to have the deplorable effect of riveting on his partner & children the bonds of perpetual & remediless slavery – As a further consideration which he trust will be duly regarded by your honorable Body – Your Petitioner has been blessed with a Sufficient Estate to insure the Comfortable maintenance of his said family, so that no apprehensions can be entertained that they will ever become a charge on the Public – That on the contrary his constant efforts will be employed to support them decently & make them useful members of society –

And your Petitioner will ever pray &c---

(signed) John Carmille

1823

We the Subscribers hereby certify that we are acquainted with the within Petitioner Mr. John Carmille & believe him to be an upright & honest citizen & that he has a sufficient Estate to maintain his family within refered to—

(signed) Robt. R. Gibbes

Jno. Schultz

Jas. Lowndes

Chas. E. Rowand

John Hume

SOURCE: Petition of John Carmille to the Members of the South Carolina Senate, ca. 1823. Records of the General Assembly, #1807, SCDAH; Certificate, Robert R. Gibbes et. al., ca. 1823, ibid. Rejected. PAR # 11382123.

John Carmille of Charleston Seeks to Free His Enslaved Wife & Children