| OCR Text |
Show is accepted, the successful bidder is required, within a reasonable time after notice, not exceeding ten days, to comply with the terms of his bid; and if he fails to comply, the 20 per cent of the amount of his bid is forfeited to the use of the owner of the land. The right to reject any and all bids is reserved, and the highest bid will be accepted, sub-ject, however, to the approval of the owner of the land. Bidders and other interested persons may be present when the bids are opened by the Indian agent. No deed will be approved that was executed prior to the delivery of the patent to the allottee. The first sale under these regulations took place September 25, 1903. Under the previous regulations a number of citizens of the Creek Nation made conveyances purporting to sell their alienable lauds or parts of the same to various persons. Four hundred and twenty-three of these deeds, representing an aggregate consideration of $369,932.47, were forwarded to the Department and were d l disapproved. It is believed that by the regulations of July 10, 1903, the Govern-ment kas thrown sutEcient safeguards around the salc+.of lands in the Creek Nation to protect the interests of the Indians and to secure or them the best obtainable price for their lands. Under this system pools and combinations can not be formed, and it is believed that all lands sold will bring their reasonable value. Leasing of Creek allotments.-Under the regulations Creek citizens may lease their lands for three years for grazing purposes, ten years for agricultural purposes, and fifteen years for mineral purposes. All leases must be in quadruplicate and be executed in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, one copy to be filed in this OtEce, one with the Indian agent, Union Agency, one to be delivered to the lessee, and one to the lessor. Leases for the periods above mentioned are subject to the approval of the Department, and are of no effect unless so approved. This Ofice understands that the regulations governing the leasiug of Ciwek lands, as well as those governing the sale thereof, meet with the approbation of the citizens of the Creek Nation. They feel that their interests are properly protected by these regulations and that their lands will not be sold or leased except at fair prices. Leasing of Cherokee allotments.-The regulations governing the leasiug of Cherokee allotted lands are very similar to those governing the leasing of Creek allotted lands, and were promulgated May 4,1903, to carry into effect the provisions of section 72 of the agreement. TOWN SITES. My last annual report gave the names ef the towns whose exterior limits had been surveyed and platted during the year preceding; the small towns of less than 'NO population in the Cherokee, Choctaw, and Chickasaw nations, the survey and platting of which had been author-ized under the provisions of agreements with these nations, and the towns within which patents had been issued conveying the title to lots. |
