Military Commission Granted to Chief Okana-Stoté of the Cherokee by Governor Louis Billouart, 1761

The latest in our #ArchivesRoadToRevolution rotating exhibition looks at how the American Revolution caused a schism within the Cherokee Nation along generational lines. Ahead of ‪@America250‬ in 2026, this exhibition looks at records that trace the journey to the American Revolution and independence.
Young Cherokee warriors saw the Revolutionary War as their best opportunity to preserve tribal sovereignty and reclaim lost land, allying with the British.
In contrast, older chiefs like Okana-Stoté advocated for peace. Having been commissioned as a captain in service of the French during the Seven Years' War in 1761, he understood the profound consequences that war could have on the Cherokee people.
To prevent a similar fate for his nation, Okana-Stoté attempted to engage in diplomacy throughout the Revolution, but his efforts largely went unrecognized.
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📜: Military commission granted to Chief Okana-Stoté of the Cherokee by Governor Louis Billouart, February 27, 1761 and English translation, January 29, 1907. National Archives Identifier 6924937
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