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32 And even with this limitation, their demands are importunate and not easily resisted. The daily average of Indians at this post during the year probably exceeds four hundred. The next question is in what manner these presents shall be distributed. 1. A distribution en masse would destroy the effect intended to be produced. The only possible reason, which can be given in favour of it, is the want of a proper check upon the Issuing officer. if the whole amount of the presents is given at once certificates can be procured from disinterested persons of the fact to serve as vouchers upon the settlement of the accounts. On the contrary it may be apprehended that the daily issues of small presents will preclude the possibility of any other evidence than that of the officer himself. I must on examination this difficulty may be easily removed. The issues of presents in bulk could throw them into the possessions of a comparatively small number of Indians. The great body of them can never be collected at one time. Of course those who attend would be overstocked, while those who are prevented from attending would have nothing. Such a procedure would prevent us from rewarding particular Individuals and from procuring the attachment of influential Chiefs. If the whole body of the nation were collected, any