Letters/Correspondence

Richard Henry Pratt calls to the attention of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs his previous letter proposing the adoptions of Kisetta and Jack, members of the Apache Nation, to Mr. Paxon a farmer in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania and Miss Mather, one of his former assistants at St. Augustine.

Estimate of funds for the first quarter of 1885 amounting to $7,872.50 for support of the school. Richard H. Pratt also requests additional funds amounting to $6,105.00 for regular employee pay. 

Richard Henry Pratt inquires if an Office of Indian Affairs letter is meant to deny the Carlisle Indian School its yearly vacation during the Summer.

Superintendent Richard Henry Pratt writes to Doctor Cornelius Rea Agnew regarding his order of a coat and shoes from the school.  Pratt also commends Agnew for taking in a blind Osage child. 

Transcript included.

Louis Bourdeaux requests that his daughters Josephine and Martha be transferred from the Carlisle Indian School to Avoca. Bourdeaux writes that due to the outing program his daughters have rarely been at Carlisle and have instead been servants in various homes throughout Pennsylvania and so has not advanced her education.

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority for funds to return to their homes an additional 20 students above the appropriation provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs on October 1, 1884. 

Richard Henry Pratt forwards a request of Long Face for a wagon to assist him in his farming.

Richard Henry Pratt requests permission from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for approval to have 200 boys and the Carlisle Indian School band to participate in the inaugural ceremonies. Pratt notes that Secretary of the Interior Henry Morgan Teller believed the idea to be a good one and it would be without expense to the Government.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards a letter from John D. Miles about establishing an Indian School at Fort Dodge, Kansas focusing on cattle raising. Pratt writes that in his opinion the idea is not a good idea due to being located near reservations as well as the camp influences of Dodge City.

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…

Superintendent Richard Henry Pratt writes to Doctor Cornelius Rea Agnew regarding a possible trip to the southern United States, including a visit at the Exposition and the International Convention of Educators.  Pratt also mentions his interest in seeing "what manner of Secretary and Commissioner of Indian Affairs we have."  This…

Superintendent Richard Henry Pratt writes to Doctor Cornelius Rea Agnew regarding his concerns for the new head of the Interior Department.  Pratt also notes that he has postponed his trip south.  This letter is part of a series of related correspondence which can be accessed using the People tags. Transcript included.

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.

Superintendent Richard Henry Pratt writes to Doctor Cornelius Rea Agnew over his concerns for the organization and staffing of offices within the Interior Department.  This letter is part of a series of related correspondence which can be found using the People tags. Transcript included.

Superintendent Richard Henry Pratt writes to Doctor Cornelius Rea Agnew regarding Pratt's visit with the new Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and a donation towards the farm debt.  This letter is part of a series of related correspondence which can be found using the People tags. Transcript included.

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.

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.