National Archives and Records Administration

O. P. Goodwin requests from the Wyoming Congressional Representative Morton Everel Post for his daughters to be enrolled either at the Carlisle Indian School or the Lincoln Institute. Post forwarded the letter to the Bureau of Indian Affairs asking the request be considered favorably.

Richard Henry Pratt submits a "Special" Estimate of Funds form for $4025 from the interest on the Osage Fund for the support of 23 Osage students. An explanatory cover letter is included.

Frank Ensminger writes the Bureau of Indian Affairs regarding a civil dispute between him and Richard Henry Pratt over payment for training George Walker in harness making. Pratt claims that he was only to pay Ensminger if Walker was not a good worker and he never heard a complaint from him and so therefore refused to pay.

Pratt also…

Richard Henry Pratt responds to a letter from H. J. Armstrong, U.S. Indian Agent for the Crow Agency, regarding a promise that Armstrong made that students sent to Carlisle could return after two years and not three years. Armstrong believes that if any student wishes to return then his promise should be honored.

Pratt notes that all of…

John H. Bowman, U.S. Indian Agent for the Navajo Agency, writes regarding obtaining students for the Carlisle Indian School. Bowman notes that because of Navajo customs he does not believe it possible for the agency to send girls but he can send around 12 boys.

Richard Henry Pratt seeks the opinion of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs in regards to returning seven Nez Perce students currently at Carlisle. Pratt writes that the Nez Perce are returning to Idaho and they want their children to return with them. Pratt notes that with the convenience of railroads there is no reason why the students cannot…

Richard Henry Pratt notes that the Carlisle Indian School has 58 Osage students at the school at present including 45 boys and 13 girls. He writes that between 10 and 15 of these students should be returned due to health and other considerations.

Pratt concludes by noting that the Osage Nation is able and willing to pay for educating…

Richard Henry Pratt seeks guidance on the case of Joshua H. Given, a member of the Kiowa Nation, who is seeking to become a United States citizen. Given had enrolled in the Lincoln University in Oxford, Pennsylvania with the help of the Presbyterian Church in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Pratt believes that there should be a path for citizenship for…

Richard Henry Pratt seeks to obtain two or three dozen fire protection hand grenades for the Carlisle Indian School.

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that he has on hand a larger number of boy's sizes of hose than he can use. As a result he requests he be provided with 20 dozen of boy's size 8 and 140 dozen of men's size 9, 10, and 11. In addition, he requests his estimate for coffee be reduced to 2,500 pounds and no tea.

Estimate of funds for the second quarter of 1885 amounting to $8,491.87 for support of the school, $6,090.00 of which is for regular employee pay. 

Richard Henry Pratt follows up his telegraph agreeing to send Dr. Obadiah G. Given with the party of Nez Perces being transferred. Pratt also recommends booking the Emigrant Sleepers as they provide the ability to make coffee therefore saving money on the coffee bill.

Pratt writes that he is willing to spare the Carlisle School physician Obadiah G. Given for the Nez Perce removal. Pratt asks that his absence be as brief as possible.

Richard Henry Pratt inquires about expenses related to Obadiah G. Given accompanying the Nez Perce party being transferred. Pratt notes that Given is ready to start when the Bureau of Indian Affairs telegraphs that the expenses will be covered.

Richard Henry Pratt provides recommendations for improving the Indian School system to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Pratt's suggestions include educating everyone of school age compared to the quarter currently enrolled, requiring a census of school age children, and muster of students to track progress.

R. F. Hunter writes the Bureau of Indian Affairs regarding the order of three dozen fire prevention hand grenades at a cost of $9 per dozen.

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to bring in six boys and six girls from the Quapaw Nation to the Carlisle Indian School to learn trades and become teachers. Pratt indicates that the Society of Friends has taken a particular interest in the case of the twelve students and the agent at the Quapaw Agency supports sending the students.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards a contract between the Carlisle Indian School and Glatfelter and Nace for the latter to provide 600 barrels of flour for the 1885 fiscal year.

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that he needs to go to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New York. Asks if the Commissioner can visit the following week.

Richard Henry Pratt notes that he believes placing Carlisle Indian School students into white schools is a great benefit for the student. He notes that if it was possible he would like to have half the students at the school made up of white students to exert influence, but notes that this is not possible.. Along these lines he notes that he…

Lyndon A. Smith requests from Richard Henry Pratt part of the Carlisle Indian School Exhibit at the Government Exhibition in New Orleans due to a request by the French Government. Pratt informs the Bureau of Indian Affairs that while he was planning on setting up the exhibit at Carlisle for visitors but that nothing in exhibit cannot be…

John D. C. Atkins, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, refers to the letter from Richard Henry Pratt regarding donating parts or the whole of the Carlisle Indian School exhibit at the Government Exhibition in New Orleans to the French Government in a letter to the Secretary of the Interior.

Richard Henry Pratt requests permission to return 48 students of the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that of those being returned 23 students are being sent home due to the expiration of their terms and 25 for various reasons. In addition, he requests permission to bring to Carlisle 70 students.

Estimate of funds for the third quarter of 1885 amounting to $24,592.50 for support of the school. Richard H. Pratt also requests additional funds amounting to $6,510.00 for regular employee pay. 

Richard Henry Pratt seeks guidance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs regarding whether or not to return 12 members of the Cheyenne Nation to their home. Pratt references the Cheyenne Agent has written about unfavorable conditions at the Agency and that he believes it unwise to return the students at the time despite all of them having already…