OCR Text |
Show 96 BEPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. Office in a report dated March 22,1897, which was referred to this office. The office reported thereon March 27,1897, and suggested that as the Indians are entitled under their treaty to allotment of the lands on which they havelocated,xt wo~ilds eem that the Government is under some obligation to deliver to the Indian a fee-simple patent, free from any cloud or incumbrance whatever, and that the State should again be requested to relinquish. The matter was next referred to the Assistant Attorney-General for the Department "for opiuion as to the proper course to procure relin-quishment from the State of Wisconsin of the lands covered by allot-ments Nos. 11 and 16 to Stockbridge Indians, described within, and cancellation of the patents therefor issued in 1865." An opinion was rendered by him July 12,1897, in which it was held 'ithat a relinquish-ment of the lands in question can only be procured through the volun. tary act of the State of Wisconsin, and that a cancellation of the patents heretofore issued to that State for these lands can not be obtained by suit." This opinion has received Department approval and has been referred to this office for eo~lsideration. The Oommissioner of the General Land Office was requested August 2,1897, to furnish this office a statement of what other lands in the Stockbridge and Munsee reservation haye passed by patent to the State under the swamp-land grants, and the matter will be givcn very careful consideration with a view to proposing some plan for the relief of the Indians. Very respectfnlly, your obedient servant, W. A. JONES, Commis~ior~er. The SEOEICTAEOYF THE INTERIOR. |