Military Commission Granted to Chief Okana-Stoté of the Cherokee by Governor Louis Billouart, Chevalier de Kerlérec
2/27/1761
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This military commission granted by the Governor of Louisiana Louis Billouart, Chevalier de Kerlérec, appoints Chief Okana-Stoté of the Cherokee as captain in the service of the French during the French and Indian War. Also included are two translations of the French text.
Transcript
TranslationWe, Louis de Kerlérec, Chevalier of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis, Captain of V. of the King, and Governor of the Province of Louisiana, upon good testimonials and proofs which we have of the fidelity, experience, and attachment for the French Nation of Okana-Stoté, great chief of all the Cherokee nation and of the grand lodge of the village of Sauté, have appointed and do hereby appoint him captain and great medal chief of all the detachments which shall go to war against the enemy and in the service of the French Nation, and we order the commanders of the posts of the Colony to cause him to be recognized in this capacity in his nation, and to cause him to enjoy the honors and prerogatives attached to this grade, and with which the King favors the commanders of detachments who serve him faithfully. Furthermore, we command all officers of the regular troops, of the militia, and others, to regard and treat the said Okana-Stoté as a faithful ally devoted to the service of the French Nation.
In witness whereof we have given and do hereby give him the present commission to serve and be valid wherever need be, and we have hereunto affixed the seal of our arms and the counterseal of our first secretary.
Given at New Orleans February 27, 1761, under the seal of our arms and the counterseal of our secretary.
KERLÉREC. By Monseigneur
This primary source comes from the General Records of the Department of State.
National Archives Identifier: 6924937
Full Citation: Military Commission Granted to Chief Okana-Stoté of the Cherokee by Governor Louis Billouart, Chevalier de Kerlérec; 2/27/1761; Military Commissions of the French and Indian War, 9/1789 - 1/29/1907; General Records of the Department of State, Record Group 59; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/military-commission-chief-okana-stoté-cherokee-by-governor-louis-billouart, May 19, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.