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5

4th. In cases where the tracts selected by the Indians are fractional, each allotment may consist of several fractional tracts or lots, the aggregate area of which shall in each case equal the quantity to which the person is entitled, or as near that quantity as the fractional nature thereof will permit; but the selections must, where practicable, be made in compact body.

5th. By the terms of the 5th Section "any Indian to whom "a tract of land has been assigned and certificate issued, or "who was entitled to receive the same under the provisions of "said fourth article (4th article of treaty with the Omahas of March 6, 1865) "and who has made valuable improvements "thereon, and any Indian who being entitled to an assignment "and certificate under said article, has settled and made valuable improvements upon a tract assigned to any [[strikethrough]]other[[/strikethrough]] Indian "who has never occupied or improved such tract [[underlined]] shall have a "preference right [[/underlined]] to select the tract upon which his improve-"ments are situated for allotment under the provisions of this "section."

Your careful attention is invited to this particular provision as it has an important bearing upon the selection