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Show REPORT OF TBE C O M M I S S I O ~O~F ffiD1~NA PFAIRS. 91 Indians will soon be completed. There is every reason to believe that the provision thus made for them will materially improve their condi-tion. and advance them in civilization. EASTERX BAND OF CHEROKEES, NORTH CAROLIXA. In my last annual report reference was made to the agreements of compromise made in behalf of the North Carolina Cherokees with whites who had settled upon their lands under titleswhich the Govern-ment was bound to respect. It was Lllought that these compromises when carried into execution would secure the Indians a perfect title to all the lands inside the Qualla boundary aud leave unsettled only comparatively unimportant controversy concerning certain tracts of land outside the boundary, which was then well on the way toward set-tlement. Since then a new issue has arisen, in which the Indians, through bad if not selfish advisers, determined to cut loose from all guardianship, control, or oversight of their affairs by the General Government.. Through their council they a contract May 18,1893, with one W. 0, Smith for the sale of all their timber of certain kinds and dimeusions on the Cathcart tract for the sum of $15,000, to be paid in three equal installments, $5,000 on the 6th of September, 1893, and $5,000 in one and two years thereafter, respectively. The first official knowledge this office had of this contract was when Mr. Smith filed 5 copy thereof for approval by the President. The contract was sub-mitted to the Department with unfavorable report August 23,1893, and was returned September 6,1893, the Secretary decli~lingto approve it. At the same time he said that he saw no reason mhy with certain modifications the contract should not be approved provided it would be clearly for the benefit of the Indians and the price named in the con-tract were shown to be the full value of the timber. The superintend-ent. of schools, acting as agent for these Indians, mas duly advised of this decision aud instructed to have the contract amended or renewed in accordance therewith. Instead, however, of attempting to secure a modification of that contract, the council, through its appointed delegates, entered into another contract with one David L. Boyd for the same timber for the same consideration, viz, $15,000; and upon the same terms except that the payments were to be made to the Indians instead of to the Depart-ment (as suggested in office report of Augnst 23,1893, upon the Smith contract), and that H. G. Ewart, who was to be paid, for his service8 in obtaining it, 20 per cent out of the proceeds of the timber. This contract and that of Mr. Smith were submitted to the Depart-ment November 24,1893, with a recommendation in favor of the Boyd contract (provided certain modifications were made therein as to pay-ment of money, etc.), the Indians having certified that Smith was |