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it may be a difficult matter to have it ratified, but I feel reasonably sure that it will meet the approval of the Secretary of the Interior and Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and also the Committees of Congress, that is the Senate and House Indian Committees.  Now my friends, I have given you something to consider, I have made you an offer.  There is not a man in this room, looking into your faces, but I can see has sufficient intelligence and interest in his own wellfare and the wellfare of his people and those of the rising generation but desires to do what is for the best interests of all.  And if you think that it is for your best interest and the interests of your children and grand children and those coming after you, to let the agreement of 1889 continue to govern your affairs, well and good, but if you think that this proposition that I have made you is best, then accept my offer.  In considering this offer remember very particularly that your agreement of 1889 gives you only $1.25 per acre for all the agricultural land, and that the proceeds of the sale of your reservation within the boundary lines, all over what you require for allotments will be divided among the whole of the Chippewa Indians of Minnesota.   On the other hand my offer protects you in your reservation and gives you 160 acres of land each, in case you consent to take allotments, and gives you $960,670. for you people of the Red Lake reservation alone, which the other Chippewas have no interest whatever in.

My friends, I have endeavored to place this matter before you in its proper and true light.  Every statement that I have made you here, since our councils began, has been absolutely true and I defy any person to controvert any one of them.  I hope you will see the advantage to yourselves and to your children and those coming after you and accept the proposition.  If you reject it I feel that I have done nor duty and no blame can rest upon me or with the Government, whose