-36-

that will be considered.  But I will present your claims just as you have submitted them to me, and I will report strongly upon them when I reach Washington and will follow them up and have you notified regarding them.  That is all I can do regarding the claims that you have presented.

Now my friends to return to the chief object of my visit here, which is the cession of the western portion of your reservation, I will speak to you very plainly.  You hare been living under the act of 1889 for over ten years past and you know how unsatisfactory it has been to you.  And it is the only legislation now existing by which you are governed in regard to your land matters.  Now do you wish to continue under this act, or do you desire to be relieved from it by entering into a new agreement with me for the cession of this western portion of your reservation.  This is of such great importance to you that you should be very particular in rendering your decision.  You Red Lake Chippewas have always been a law abiding people and have a very good name throughout the country, in consequence of which you have the sympathy of the Department Officials, one and all regret your status under the present act.

There is just one of two things for you people to decide, the outcome of which will be with yourselves.  Now remember my friends I am speaking to you from my heart as a friend.  It is simply the truth and I want you to take it as coming from a friend and one that has the welfare of the Chippewa Indians at heart.  If you allow things to go on as they are, within a very short time an order will be issued for you people to take allotments.  You will then have an opportunity to select allotments, and if you do not take them they will be allotted to you, and what lands remain after your allotments have been made will be opened to settlement under the act of 1889; for which you will receive $1.25 per acre for your agricultural land,