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26 This policy so natural in itself and so certain in its result has not been overlooked by the British. They have frequently by this mode of distribution gained the disaffected and confirmed the wavering. The Shawnese Prophet has in this manner been an important instrument in their operations. For the last year the selection of Individuals, to whom presents should be made, has been entrusted to him. He has thus become the point of union to which all the Indians in their interest must look His personal influence is of course vastly augmented and this added to his imposture or fanaticism and then credulity will render his dangerous whenever he effects, as he undoubtedly mediates, his escape into the interior of the Indian Country. 4. The distribution of presents is necessary to prevent the Indians from committing depredations upon the property of our Citizens. I have already stated, that the annuities, which the Indians receive are individually of little importance. Three thousand Six hundred dollars, the amount of the annuities to the ottowas & chippeways to be divided among Six thousand persons reduced the share of each to a pittance scarcely worth accepting. The Potawatamies annuity is proportionally less, as the number of that tribe is much greater. And even the Wyandots, which is larger in proportion to the number of the nation than any other would not