-13-

Department, and whatever I represent or report to the Department, the Secretary usually approves.  And in the committees of Congress any representation that I make in regard to Indians on any particular matter that I have been a party to, my statements are invariably taken without question.  That is what I meant today when I said to you that I am in position to give you a good bargain, because I feel that I can give you a better price and more favorable conditions of payment than any other person could, with a reasonable certainty of approval and concurrence by Congress.   Therefore my friends, I don’t want you to close your ears and say you won’t listen to any proposition for that tract of land.  I want to hear the objections you have to this proposition.  Your principal objections are past grievances, alleging that past promises have not been fulfilled.  This cession as I have told you, will in no way effect your old claims, but will strengthen them, for the reason that everything I say to you and everything you say to me here, is being taken down by the stenographer and will become a part of the proceedings of our councils, and of my report, and of the printed document if an agreement is concluded.  The 256,152 acres of your reservation which you do not need, will amount to a large sum of money and, as I said before, I am prepared to provide that the payment shall be in cash.   It is a portion of your reservation that you have no use for.  You don't need it; you have ample land without it, more than enough for you in the portion that will be reserved.  You are deriving no revenue from the tract referred to.  It is bringing you no returns, no benefits whatever, only a few of your people are living there and they are not prospering very well.  The sale of that piece of land would provide for you old people in your declining years and, as I said this afternoon, it would enable you young men to get a good start in life.  I don't come here with a bill that has been enacted in Congress without your being