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[[preprinted]]2[[/preprinted]]

Over one hundred patents brought to me and several who handled patents in reservations were unable to tell to whom the name in the patent belonged, no such name being known on the reservation.  2 have already received one two have need of the old patents and more are promised me.

I would like instructions on the following points: 

1st  Can a man return his old patent and receive a new patent under the Severalty Act for the same piece of land?  There is a general desire to relinquish the old patents, which never gave full ownership, for the patents with the 25 years restriction.

2d  Can a man add the amount of land to which he is entitled under the severalty act, to his allotment, for which he holds a patent, and return the patent, and receive a new patent under the severalty act, for the full amount including the old allotment and the new?

3d  Shall I turn over the patents issued to the Wisconsin Indians and never delivered, without trying to secure an assignment?  Will the statement entered upon the patent, "never delivered", be sufficient?

4th  Shall I endorse on the Patents with the unknown names, "No such Indian known", and will that be sufficient?

It will expedite the work to get rid of these patents which [[numbers?]] grow and benefit no one, and it is [[fortunate?]], I can [[secure?]] so many.

Respectfully
[[signature]] Alice la Flesche [[/signature]]
Special & [[Dis?]] Ind. Agent.