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4 chase, which has prevailed in every Country. The Indians are now prevented from the permanent occupation and cultivation of land as well from the uncertainty of its tenures, resulting from a defect in the organization of their society, as from its probable cession at no distant day to the United States. So long as Individuals are in the immediate occupation of a tract of land, it is not probable they will be dispossessed by other Indians. Should the attempt be made, it would be a trial of personal strength, in which the weaker party would relinquish with his life all pretensions to the contested property.

 But the gradual cession of their country to us, without the reservation of any part for those, who may have improved it, furnishes the most serious obstacle to all attempts at gradually meliorating these conditions. I am convinced if a system were adopted and fully made known to them, of reserving in all future treaties of cession such tracts as individuals may have cultivated, to them and to their heirs, its beneficial result would soon be apparent. The considerations upon this subject are numerous but as they would lead too far into detail, I will dismiss them, The employment of various mechanicks to do for them such work as their agricultural labours may require will greatly aid in the accomplishment of this important object. But I have already in my letters to the War