proceeds to be partly expended in improvements on their farms, aud partly to be "left in trust" with the Government. This ineasure threw open hundreds of thousands of acres of land to whitc settlers, and drew the belt of greedy civilization muci tighter around the Indians. Similar treaties to this had been already made with some of the Sioux tribes and with others. It was evident that " the surplus land occupicd by the Indians reqnired for the use of the increasing white population," and that it was "necessary to reduce the reservations."

There is in this treaty of 1839 onc extraordinary provision: In order to render unnecessary any further treaty engage-. ments or arrangements with the United States, it is hercby ngreed and stipulated that the President, with the assent of Congress, shall have full power to modify the provisions of former treatics with the WVinnebagoes, in sueh anner and to whaterer extent he may judge to be nec- was or change any of essary and cxpcdicnt for their welfare and best intercst."

It is impossible to avoid having a doubt whether the chiefs and headmcn of the Winncbago tribe who signed this treaty ever heard that proviso. It is incredible that they conld have been so simple and trustful as to have assented to it.

Prospects now brightencd for the Winnebagoes. With their farms given to them for their own, and a suflicient sum of money realized by the sale of surplus lands to enable them to thoroughly improve the remainder, theit way sccmed open to prosperity and comfort. They "entered upon farming wit a zeal and energy which gave promisc of a prospcrous and creditable future."

"Every family cultivation," says their agent. 1le reports, also, the minutes of a council held by the chiefs, which tell their owu story: in the tribe has more or lesa ground under

"When wc were at Washington last winter, we asked our Great Father to take $300,000 out of thc $1,100,000, so that we eould commence onr next spring's work. We do not want