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2    OMAHA INDIANS.

other necessaries, he is of the opinion that it would be greatly to their advantage if substantial aid by the payment of a part of their unappropriated annuity, per capita, be granted to them at this stage of their progress. To this end he recommends that Congress be requested to appropriate the sum which will become due under their treaty, $90,000 as above noted, with the proviso that the same be paid per capita in two annual payments of $45,000 each; or that the last half be paid in annual installments of $9,000 each, in the discretion of this Department; and he presents a draft of a bill embodying his recommendations, which he desires may be presented for the action of Congress.

The recommendation of the Commissioner has my concurrence.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H.L. MULDROW,
Acting Secretary.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS,
Washington, March 4, 1886.

SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith a copy of a communication from Charles H. Potter, United States Indian agent for the Omaha tribe of Indians in Nebraska, dated February 22, 1886, inclosing a petition signed by 210 heads of families, members of the Omaha tribe of Indians, in which they set forth the fact that they have taken lands in severalty, and received patents for the same, and that, with a view to make further improvements upon their homesteads, and to fully prepare themselves for progress and increased prosperity, they desire a full settlement with the United States by the payment to the tribe, per capita, the sum of $90,000, being nine of the last installments of annuity at $10,000 per annum unappropriated, and secured to them by the fourth article of the treaty between the United States and the Omahas, dated March 16, 1854 (10 Stats., p. 1043).

In submitting this petition for the action of the Department, I will state that the Omahas are a steady, sober, and industrious people, and that under the provisions of the act of Congress approved August 7, 1882 (22 Stats., p. 342), 75,931 acres of land were divided in 954 separate allotments to 1,194 persons. This number includes the wives, they receiving their lands with their respective husbands.

In order to enable these allottees to improve their farms, build houses and barns, purchase horses and stock, agricultural implements, and other necessaries, I am of the opinion it would be greatly to their advantage if substantial aid, by the payment of a part of their unappropriated annuity, per capita, be granted to them at this stage of their progress.

With this end in view, I respectfully recommend that Congress be requested to appropriate the sum due, $90,000, with the provisio that the same be paid per capita in two annual payments of $45,000 each, or that the last one-half be paid in annual installments of $9,000 each, in the discretion of the Secretary of the Interior.

I inclose a draft of a bill, embodying the recommendations above named, for the action of Congress.

Very respectfully,
J. D. C. ATKINS,
Commissioner.

The Hon. SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.

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OMAHA INDIANS      3

A BILL for the relief of the Omaha tribe of Indians in the State of Nebraska.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in view of the advanced condition in civilization of the Omaha tribe of Indians in the State of Nebraska, and to enable said tribe to further improve their condition by making improvements upon their homesteads, by the purchase of stock, cattle, agricultural implements, and other necessary articles, and in accordance with their wishes, there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $90,000, being the last nine installments of $10,000 each unappropriated, and secured to said Indians under the fourth article of their treaty dated March 16, 1854: Provided, That said sum shall be paid per capita in two annual payments of $45,000 each, or that the last one-half be paid in annual installments of $9,000 each, in the discretion of the Secretary of the Interior.

UNITED STATES INDIAN SERVICE,
Omaha and Winnebago Agency, Nebraska, February 22, 1886.

The Hon. COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS,
Washington, D.C.:

SIR: I have the honor to forward herewith a paper purporting to be a petition from heads of families of the Omaha tribe of Indians, numerously signed, which explains itself. The paper was handed to me by John Springer, captain of Omaha Indian police, with a request from the Omahas that I forward it to you.

Very Respectfully,
CHS. H. POTTER,
United States Indian Agent.

The Hon. COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS:

SIR: We, the undersigned heads of families, members of the Omaha tribe of Indians, having received patents to our lands, and being desirous of making further improvements on our farms, and needing money for that purpose, do hereby petition that the money due us under the fourth article of the treaty of March 16, 1854, amounting to nine installments of $10,000 each, making in all $90,000, be paid to us within the present year in one payment, said payment to be divided pro rata among the tribe.

Signed (by his × mark) as follows:

Kahamonne, Lindahaha, Wahommiga, Du-bamonne, Chazaninga, Shuzhmga, Maagahe, Ahazhinga, Henry Fontenelle, Joseph La Flesche, John SPringer, George Martin, Warotata, Sioux Solomon, Ulysses Grant, Daniel Webster, Geonzaninga, Cyrus Phillips, Kahageah, Tahazhinga, Ledamerune, Gradahazhe, George Miller, Dwhight Sherman, Khethagahega, Hagamonnie, Yellow Smoke, Numbamonne, Wazheumba, Umpaska, Thahaba, Ne Ogashuda, Wauetawa, Harry Lyon, Okedagahe, Tawapazhe, Pasidonba, Umpatonga, Ekhebazhe, Shongaska, Mahawara, William Tyndall, Washiska, Philip Stabler, Paninumpaghe, Shugagahega, Mawadane, Frederick Merrick, Khethate, Thomas McCauley, Nahgou, Kabaha, Obane, Neahshega, Wajapa, Lethadazhinga, Numbaduba, Geahhahe, Skaskatua, Mazada, Ishtatahe, Naze, Gishtawagoo, Mehata, Pezeninga, John Pilcher, Henry Blackbird, Nebraska, Omaheahe, Ishtashabe, Wannohaghinga, Nungatheah, Gaimbazhe, James Hamilton, Hondonmonne, Monahkaza, Taenoozannmba, Numbamonne, Walawain, Neakebana, Neatagegtha, Tathazapa, Toahikia, Lindamuha, Tanuga, Onemonne, Wabagthazhe, Tawagaha, Hungate, O. Kepat, Jim Dick, Charles Dick, Wabahezhinga, Talunda, Gakegawaninga, Tomigazhinga, Daniel Hewett, Wasoapa, Taakaha,Hathekooweha, Wazhekada, Waouhtawara, Nungazhe, Ishtadouba, Wawaiha, Liminhase, Monguta, Monagata, Takhaounghr, Redaega, Gradahodo, Khethapahe, Wakedaztingee, Shawade, Ardent Lonsoci, Louis Lonsoci, Eshongoka, Ishtamuzzhe, Tagaha, Ehenogena, Jacob Hallowell, O. Shondamonne, Mashiamonne, Tom Baxter, Makpeahoga, Lintua, Nundawahe, Nonga, Hezezhinga Keokuk, Shedata, Wadonkuskka, Hadabana, Bunte, Hazenika, Lehonda, Padaga, Azirgaha, Honahkepa, Charles Pilcher, Watanazhe, Hahuda, Hagthaza, Waah, Maahzniga, Wakonha, Muzada, Nushuska, Mupawah, Chongershamonne, Wakaronta, Obamonne, Wams, Wazhetheshaga, Modoc, Kahunga, Hashemonne, Pasa, Mangaahzhe, Ogatira, Gazeha, Ishagawahera, Wakemmonne, Wazheska, Hatata, Tamonne, Tahommonne, Ahronhagamonne, Podaro, Haskanoga, Onedaba, Rosalie Farley, Lusette Tibbles, Lousneal, Fred Kryone, Elizabeth Baylis, Wapasha, Omahatawagra, Oshkabetaga, Oshkamonnie, Stephen Guitar, Oshkadaghe, Tatezhuga, Onebateba,