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captain's coat

Obs.

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

a gaudy garment or outfit of clothing presented to an Indian leader or "captain" (def. 2) as an inducement to trade furs.

See: captain(def. 2),clothing,Henry VIII coat,Indian coat,trading coat,treaty coat

Quotations

1748

[These Leaders are called Captains by the Factory People; and when these Captains are down at the factory are presented by the Governors with a Tinsel-laced Coat, much like a Drummer's, with a Tinsel-laced Hat, and a painted Feather stuck in it; will have English Stockings of two Colours, and, perhaps, an Indian Shoe on one Foot, and an English one on the other.]

1784

I'd recommend to you not to be too hasty in making a Leader of any of the Indians that may Visit you but reserve the Captain's Coat &c. for the Indian that may seem to you to have the most sway among his countrymen bring you the most Furs & prove most serviceable to you.