OCR Text |
Show In accordance with this legislation, this office on the 2d of July sab-mitted a rough draft of regulations to be observed in the execution of deeds of conveyance which it deemed to be best calculated to protect the interests of the Indians and to set forth the bona fides of every oonveyance made thereunder and to secure the payment of the pur-chase money to the grantors or their proper representatives. These rules were approved and adopted by the Depa,rtment Jnly 10, with an additional regulation to the effect that the title to the land conveyed by such a deed should not vest in the grantee therein named ur~less the deed should be approved by the Secretary of the Interior. Copies of these regulations have been furnished the Indian agent at the Quapaw Agency for his information and for'the guidance of the Indians and others in the execution of deeds of conveyance. CHIPPEWAS AND METSEES IN KANSAS. Attention was invited in the last annual report of this office (p. 82) to legislation before Congress for the relief of these Indians, with rec-ommendation that final action be urged upon Congress at its next session. The ninth section of the Indian appropriation act approved June 7, 1897, provided that,, with the consent of the Indiaus, a discreet person should be appointed as commissioner, who should take a census of the Chippewa and Munsee or Christian Indians of Franklin County, Eans., and investigate and report upon their individual title to the several tracts of land withiu their reservation for which certificates were issued under the treaty of July 16,1850. The act also provided for the issu-ance of patents in fee to those entitled to the lands held by them; for the appraisement and sale of the residue of their lands to the highest bidder, and for the distribution, per capita, of the trust funds now to their credit on the books of the Treasury. These Indians were duly notified of this legislation and were sum-moned to meet on the 26th of Jnly in general council to discuss the sub-ject and determine their action thereon. The last census showed them to have a population of 80 members, 40 of whom were eligible as voters. On the28th of July George W. James, Indian agent, reported that the Indians had convened and after a full and free expression of opinion, in which all the council me^^ and eight others, i~lcludingtw o women, had spoken, the debate closed and a vote was taken, showing 22 in favor of and 10 opposed to said legislation. Their action was as follows: Whereas Congress, by the ninth section of the Indian appropriation act approved June 7, 18%, provided, with our consent, for an adjustment of the title to lands in Franklin County, Kansas, allotted to individnal members of the Chippewa and Chriatim Indians, and for the isaue of patents in fee, eto., and for the apprsiaemenq sale, and disposal of the remainder of our lands, and for the distribution per capita of oor fnnda now held in the Treasury of the United Statetea; and whereas we hare been called together at Chippewa, andChris. Ind. Reservation this26th day of July, 1897, in general council, for the purpose of ajcertaining the views of the members, |