e the treaty instead, if they wish to do so. They
have their choice, but only after the treaty is signed. If
there is no treaty made, scrip cannot be given. After the
treaty is signed, the Commissioners will take up half-breed
claims. The first thing they will do is to give half-breed
settlers living on land 160 acres, if there is room to do so;
but if several are settled close together, the land will be
divided between them as fairly as possible. All, whether settled
or not, will be given scrip for land to the value of $240.00,
that is, all born up to the date of signing the treaty. They
can sell that scrip, that is, all of you can do so. They can
take, if they like, instead of this scrip for 240 acres, lands
where they like. After they have located their land, and got
their title, they can live on it, or sell part, or the whole
of it, as they please, but cannot sell the scrip. They must
locate their land, and get their title before selling.

"These are the principal points in the offer we have to make
to you. The Queen owns the country, but is willing to acknowledge
the Indians' claims, and offers them terms as an offset to all
of them. We shall be glad to answer any questions, and make clear
any points not understood. We shall meet you again to-morrow,
after you have considered our offer, say about two o'clock, or
later if you wish. We have other Indians to meet at other places,
but we do not wish to hurry you. After this meeting you can go
to the Hudson's Bay fort, where our provisions are stored, and
rations will be issued to you of flour, bacon, tea and tobacco,
so that you can have a good meal and a good time. This is a free
gift, given with goodwill, and given to you whether you make a
treaty or not. It is a present the Queen is glad to make to you.
I am now done, and shall be glad to hear what any one has to say."

KEENOOSHAYO (The Fish): "You say we are brothers. I cannot understand
how we are so. I live differently from you. I can only understand
that Indians will benefit in a very small degree from your offer.
You have told us you come in the Queen's name. We surely have also
a right to say a little as far as that goes. I do not understand
what you say about every third year."

MR. MCKENNA: "The third year was only mentioned in connection with
clothing."

KEENOOSHAYO: "Do you not allow the Indians to make their own
conditions, so that they may benefit as much as possible? Why I
say this is that we to-