is done, the better. In making purchases of this kind from the natives, when conflicting claims of rival tribes exist, the prudent course will always be the limits of the country which the selling tribe are clearly admitted to have a right to dispose of; and to purchase this tract of country, and the rights of the natives, beyond its limits, if they have any such, real or supposed; the latter, of course, cannot be defined; but there the Government would not appropriate lands beyond the limits of the portion actually marked out, as known and agreed to beyond dispute; until after the interest of the adjoining tribes should in a similar manner have been satisfied by some future purchase. I cannot too strongly impress upon Mr. McLean, therefore, that in all purchases it is that however far supposed rights acquired in such purchases are supposed to extend, - some distinct and definite boundary must be acknowledged by the natives, and be marked on the ground, as the limits of the land absolutely purchased;