An Early French Commission
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A COMMISSION, DECEMBER 3, 1782 315

Commission as Agents to Richard Winston and Francois Charbonneaux, December 3, 1782

[C. C., Pp. Xxx, 459. �A.L.S.]

Nous Les soussign�s habitans du district des KasKasKias En La comt�e des illinois d�putons Les Sieurs Richard Winstons Et francois Carbonnaux pour faire En notre nom toutes les Demandes Et representations quils jugeront n�cesaaires pour le bien Etre de la ditte Comt�e, -nous leurs recommandons particulierement D'exposer � nos Souverains seigneurs, soit du Congr�s general des Etats unis De l'amerique ou De la province de la virginie � quique se puise Etre d'ou Le gouvernment de cette Comt�e d�pends de protester Et Demander

[Translation]

We, the undersigned inhabitants of the District of Kaskaskia in the County of Illinois, appoint MM. Richard Winston and Francois Carbonneaux to make in our name all demands and representations that they may deem necessary for the welfare of the said county. We recommend to them in particular, to present [our grievances] to our sovereign seigniors, either of the General Congress of the United States of America or the Province of Virginia, or from whomever it may be that the government of this county depends; to protest and demand the

1. This copy is in the handwriting of William Fleming himself.

ILLINOIS HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS

316

l'assistance du gouvernement pour quil nous accorde leurs protections pour maintenir Et soutenir La cours qui reste sans Execution De s�s ordonnances, pour reprimer Et arreter Les crimes enormes qui se commettent dans ce pays qui ne peut se soutenir sans ce secours, parellement de n�mer un lieuntenatn ou un gouverneur tel qu'il plaira a nos seigneurs de nous l'envoyer, ainsy qu'une personne qui Entende bien notre Langage pour presider a notre Cours. Et que toute notre Comt�e ne fasse qu'un seul District Et que dans chaque village il n'y ait qu'un seul juge � paix qui decidera telle sommes qui se presentera devant lui, pourveu qu'elle soit Con�u� en billit ou �bligation; nous experons que nos dits seigneurs, lors qu'ils apprendront par nos d�put�s Les maux Et Souffrances que La partialit� Et lignorance de ceux qui nous gouvernment nous font souffrir par le peu d'experience quils ont de ladministration de la justice quil y a En cette Colonie par faute d'y avoir des gen Capables Et experimant�s dan Les lois fran�oises qui sont Les Coutumes de cette Comt�e; Et dy soutenire l'honneur du gouvernement plus que persuad� que nos seigneurs voudront bien avoir quellesques Commisserations pour Les dits soussign�s les quels ne

[Translation.]

assistance of the government so that they may grant us their protection to sustain and maintain the court, whose decrees are not executed; to suppress and stay the awful crimes which are being committed in this country which cannot sustain itself without this help; likewise to name a lieutenant or a governor whichever it may please our seigniors to send to us, as well as some person who understands our language well to preside in our court; and to petition that all our county be made only one district that in each village there be only one justice of the peace, who shall decide cases involving such sums that may be brought before him, provided they be expressed in notes or bonds. When our seigniors shall learn through our deputies of the evils and sufferings which have undergone on account of the prejudice and ignorance of those who govern us as well as by the lack of experience in the administration of justice which is found in this colony, because of the lack of capable men experienced in the French laws of this county, we trust [that they will take compassion on us] and maintain here the honor of the government. We are more than persuaded that our seigniors will A PROCLAMATION, DECEMBER 4, 1782 317

Cesseront de faire Les veus les plus ardens pour leurs Conservations.

[Endorsed] No. 18 Memol. Inhabitants of KasKasKias 9 Decr. 1782

[Translation]

have some commiseration for the undersigned, who will not cease maing the most fervent vows for their preservation.

Proclamation of Virginia Commissioners, Dec 4, 1782

[K. MSS. ----- Copy.]

Lincoln Conty 1782

Le pour nous ayant Et� donn� Et instructions par Son Exelence Le gouverneur Et Conseil, pour Examiner Les Comptes de tous Les

[Translation]

Lincoln County, 1782

Power and instructions have been given us by his Excellency, the Governor, and the Council, to examine the accounts of all civil and military.

1. This list of signers represents the faction which had supported the county lieutenant, Richard Winston. There are eleven Frenchment and six Americans. Of these seven of the Frenchmen and four of the Americans signed the petition of the facton of John Dodge of 1784.

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