| OCR Text |
Show restored to the Indians theirancient form of government, but pro- . . vided that those who so desired might enroll themselvwas citizens of the United States. It appears that none availed themselves of this provision.. Then came the treaty of 1848 (9 Stat. L., 955), made by the Indian party, aminority of the tribe, and called covert legislation by the citizen party, who were made citizens without any action on their part. The treaty of 1856 (11 Stat. L., 663) followed, its object being to nettle all difficulties and restore harmony. Under this treaty a reser-vation was purchased fo; the Stockbridge and Munsee Indians from the Meuominees, and provision made for auotments. But discord continued, and the Indian party procured the passage of an act in 1871 (16 Stat. L., 404), again striking from the roll a large number of the citizen party. Under this law one and one-half townships of their land was sold, which reduced the reservation to its present limits. . . The act of March 3,1893 (27 Stat. L., 744), again restored to mem-bership that part of the citizen party stricken from the rolls by the act of 1871. It also charged t.be Department with, the duty of en-rolling as members of the tribe all persons who were actually mem-bers thereof at the time of the adoption of the treaty of 1856, and all persons who acquired membership thereunder and their descendants who had not separated themselves from the tribe. The enrollment contemplated was made by the late C. C. Painter. and, with certain modifications recommended by this Office, was approved by the De-partment on June 12,1894; and certain names were added to the roll under Department authority of July 13, 1894. This roll was not satisfactory to the Indian party, and is still in contest. The act of 1893 made no provision for a general allotment bf these Indians, but authorized the issue of patents in fee simple to all allot-tees under the treat.y of 1856 and the act of 1871 who had continn-ouslyoccupied their lands, either themselves or by their lawful heirs. The schedule embracing the allotments to be obtained in fee simple under the act of 1893 was approved by the Department on February 27, 1897, and the General Land Oflice, on July 3 and December 30, ! 1897, issued patents in fee for 28 allotments. Out of the reservation purchased for these Indians, 360 acres have been patented to the State of Wisconsin under t.he swamp-land grant, so that only ahout 20 acres remain for each Indian.stil1 entitled to allotment. Impelled by urgent demands of the Indians for an equitable divi-sion of the tribal lands and funds, the Department, on October 27, I i900, appointedInspector Cyrus Beede to confer with the tribe with a view to formulating a plan for the settlement of their difficulties. His instructions were prepared by this Office and approved by the Department on October 31, and onDecember 26 he submitted a pro- |
