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ACTION IN REGARD TO INDIAN LANDS. 
The Omaha, Pawnee, Ottoe and Missouria, and Sac and Fox of the 
Missouri tribes of Indians in Nebraska, having, through their respective
chief and councils, expressed a desire t6 have portions of their reserva-
tion sold, it was recommended that Congress give the necessary au- 
thority for such action. This was done by act approved June 10, 1872, 
in which provision was made for the survey and sale of a portion of the 
following-named reserves, to the extent specified, viz: Omaha and Paw- 
nlee, not exceeding 50,000 acres each, and Ottoe and Missouria, not ex- 
ceeding 80,000 acres, and the whole of the Sac and Fox of the Missouri 
reserve, amounting to about 16,000 acres. All of these tribes have as- 
sented to the provisions of this act, and the following exhibits a sum- 
mary statement of the action had thereunder in the ease of each of the 
reserves. 
OMAHA. 
The Department, in anticipation of the consent of the Indians to the 
provisions of the aforesaid act, under date of July 31, 1872, appointed 
commissioners of appraisal. The formal consent in writing of the In- 
dians was not, however, filed in this office until the rweipt of a letter
from the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, bearing date September 26, 
1872. Instructions for their guidance were prepared and forwarded as 
soon thereafter as practicable tQ the commissioners of appraisal, who 
proceeded to perform their duties and submit their report, which received
the approval of the Department January 10, 1873. Thereupon the lands 
were advertised for sale in tracts of not exceeding 160 acres each, on 
sealed bids, to the highest bidder for cash. The bids were duly opened, in
compliance with the terms of the advertisement, and awards were made 
to the highest bidders of an aggregate quantity of 300.72 acres, for a 
sum total of $702.191. 
In view of the small number of bids received at this sale, it was 
deemed inexpedient to offer the lands again before next spring. 
PAWNEE. 
The commissioners of appraisal were appointed in anticipation of 
the consent of the Indians, which consent was, however, subsequently 
obtained. The lands being unsurveyed, it became necessary to have a 
survey made before the appraisement could be proceeded with, which 
was done, and the number of acres ascertained to be actually subject to 
sale under the provisions of said act of Congress is 48,424.76. 
Instructions were issued September 8, 1873, by this office to the com- 
missioners of appraisal for their guidance in the performance of their du-
ties, and their report, bearing date November 6, 1873, has been received,
but has not yet been submitted to the Department for approval. 
Should the report of the appraisers be approved, it is deemed desirable 
that the lauds should be advertised for sale at an early day. 
OTTOE AND   IISSOURIA. 
Provision being also made by the aforementioned act of Congress for 
he disposition of not exceeding 80,000 acres of this reserve, commis- 
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