ask them for their consent to the change of purpose, than to throw away the money for a purpose which eannot be accomplished.

In reply to your inquiry whether any bill has been brought be forc Congress providing for the settlement of the Indians in sev- eralty, and for conferring upon the individual title in fee-simple to the lands allotted to tliem, I am glad to say that several bills of this kind have been introduced in both the Senate and the Ilouse, and are now before the respective committes on Indian affairs for consideration. If such a bill passes, of which there is great hope, the Indian, baving a fee title by patent to the piece of laud wieh he individually, not as a mcmber of a tribe, olds as lis own, will stand in the eye of the law just like any other owner of property in his individual right, and, as a matter of course, will have the same standing in court, This will do more in securing the Indian in the practical enjoymuent of his property than anytling clse I can think of, and it lias long bcen my en- deavor to bring about just this result. I trust we slall obtain the desired legislation during the present session of Congress.

Very respectfully yours,

O. SCIURZ

Mrs. IIELRN JACESON, New York

The evasive and inconclusive character of these replies of the Scerciary rovoked much commeut, and gave rise to a very wide- spread and natural impression that he was for some reuson or other averse to the restoration to the Poncas of their old homes, The letters were reviewed by one of the editors of the Nen York Times in a paper so admirable that the letters ought not to be priuted without it.

"As most of the readers of The Times already know, friends of the Ponca Indians are endeavoring to havc the tribe restored to their old reservation in Dakota. Or, more strictly spcaking, it is proposed that their reservation shall be restored to thcm. The lands occupied by the Poneas were ceded to them by the United States by solenn treaty. HBy a cruel and wicked blunder, which no man has attempted to explain, thoso lands were ceded to the Sioux. But the Sioux did not want the lands, and they have nerer occupied them unto this day. To this robbery of the tribe was added tho destruetion of their houses, movable property, and farms. A citizen of the United Btates would have redrcss in the