The entire quantity
of the Pottawatomie Reservation is 222,716.32
This shows the quantity of lands unassigned, but
to some extent appropriated to Indian uses by the
Government, amounting to 1,277,050.19
For the lands which are not only unassigned, but are unoccupied, and
which have been in no way appropriated, it appears clearly just and
right that a price of at least $1.25 should be allowed to the Creeks.
They held more than the ordinary Indian title, for they had a patent in
fee from the Government. The Osages of Kansas were allowed $1.25 per
acre upon giving up their reservation, and this land of the Creeks
is reported by those familiar with it to be equal to any land in the
country. Without regard to the present enhanced value of this land, and
if reference be only had to the conditions when the cession was made, no
less price ought to be paid for it than the ordinary Government price.
Therefore in this, provisional agreement which has been made with the
Creeks the price of $1.25 has been settled upon for such land, with the
deduction of the 30 cents per acre which has already been paid by the
Government therefor.
As to the remainder of the unassigned lands, in view of the fact that
some use has been made of them of the general character indicated by the
treaty of 1866, and because some portion of them should be allotted to
Indians under the general allotment act, and to cover the expenses of
surveys and adjustments, a diminishment of 20 cents per acre has been
acceded to.
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