Bradford MS.] Todd appointed a Virginian, Richard Winston, as commandant at Kaskaskia; all his other appointees were Frenchmen.

An election was forthwith held for justices; to the no small astonishment of the Creoles, unaccustomed as they were to American methods of self-government.

Among those whom they elected as judges and court officers were some of the previously appointed militia captains and lieutenants, who thus held two positions.
The judges governed their decisions solely by the old French laws and customs.

[Footnote: State Department MSS., No.

48, p.