SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That a sum not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars, be appropriated to defray the expense of such treaty or treaties as the President of the United States shall deem expedient to hold with the Indians: Provided, nothing in this act contained shall be construed to admit an obligation on the part of the United States to extinguish, for the benefit of any state or individual citizen, Indian claims to any lands lying within the limits of the United States; and that the compensation to be allowed to any of the commissioners appointed, or who may be appointed for negotiating such treaty or treaties, shall not exceed, exclusive of travelling expenses, the rate of eight dollars per day, during the time of actual service of such commissioner.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the sum aforesaid shall be paid out of any monies in the treasury of the United States, not otherwise appropriated.

APPROVED, February 19, 1799.