thirds of this amount goes to the Chippewas of Lake Superior, and one-third to those of the Mississippi.

                        OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
                                    Washington, December 8, 1884

SIR: I am I receipt of your letter dated the 29^th ultimo, in which you state that four years ago you were called to this city to converse on matters concerning your reservation; that while here you were informed that there was due to your people the sum of $118,400; that said sum would be paid in annual installments; that 50,000 thereof was drawing interest, and that said interest would be paid to the Chippewas.
            You want to know why these promises have not been kept, and that you be informed in brief what you are to expect, etc.
            In reply I have to state that on the recommendation of this office, on the 5^th day of April 1880, a bill was introduced in Congress to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to fulfill certain treaty stipulations with the Chippewa Indians of Lake Superior and Mississippi.  This bill proposed an appropriation of the sum of $118,406.29, being the total amount arising from the balances of appropriations under treaties with said Indians and covered into the Treasury between the years 1843 and 1878, inclusive.  And the aggregate difference between the coin value of payments made in currency during the years 1863, 1864, and the amounts due in coin by treaty stipulations with interest at 5 per cent, per annum, from the date of Treasury warrants to February 6, 1880.
            Section 2 of this bill provided that of the above amounts $38,400.29 should be paid to the said Indians and that the remainder, $80,000, should remain in the Treasury to draw interest at 5 per cent., said interest to be paid annually per capita or expended for the benefit of the Chippewas, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior.
            This bill never became law through the failure of Congress to take action, and this office has exhausted its endeavors to obtain the appropriation named.

            Very respectfully,
                        H. PRICE
                        Commissioner

            AH-KE-WAIN-ZEE
                        Head Chief of Lac Court D'Oreilles,
                        (Care United States Indian Agent, La Pointe Agency, Wis.)

            See also the speech of Hon. Jacob H. Stewart, of Minnesota, in the House of Representatives, delivered Monday, February 24, 1879, on the bill (H.R. 6471) making appropriations for civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880, and for other purposes, as printed in the Congressional Record, March 1, 1879, under "Sundry Civil Appropriation Bill."  The speech referred to contains the report of the committee on this subject.
            Messengers are now out, sent by the Chippewas of Lake Superior to those of the Mississippi, inviting them to send delegates to meet in convention at Ashland, Wisc., on January 11 next, for the purpose of employing claim agents to prosecute and collect the amount found due, to, and including the year 1878, as stated by the Indian Office, April 5, 1880, viz. $118,400, with interest to date at 5 per cent., $59,200; total, $117,600.
            The claim agents expect the Indians to allow them 15 per cent. of the amount.  It can but be detrimental to the Indians thus harassed, kept in suspense, and finally compelled to pay to others a large commission in order to secure the payment of a just claim against the Government.
            These Indians have an old saw-mill, but for want of repairs it can not be used.
            Their flouring-mill, not being properly cared for, was burned a short time ago, but for want of repairs had not been running for several years.  Consequently the Indians such as had grain have been compelled to go many miles to have it ground.
            When in the settlements of the whites, to say nothing of the ex-