The Documents section features digitized copies of documents relating to the history of the school. These documents include correspondence, graduation pamphlets, and other forms of ephemera, and have been digitized by Digital Resource Center staff. Today, these documents are preserved in a number of locations, including the Dickinson College Archives and Special Collections as well as private collections.
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January 26, 1878
Samuel Chapman Armstrong writes to Richard Henry Pratt discussing the costs and terms for six Indian students under Pratt's care at the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, including fees, working wages, and hours. Armstrong also discusses…
Repository: Yale University Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Armstrong Discusses Terms for Pratt's Indian Students1.49 MB
January 28, 1878
Samuel Chapman Armstrong notifies Richard Henry Pratt of a calculating error in a previous letter about student fees at Hampton. Armstrong also asks whether Pratt himself can come with his students to Hampton.
Note: This…
Repository: Yale University Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Armstrong Corrects Error for Fees701.66 KB
February 23, 1878
Samuel Chapman Armstrong writes to Richard Henry Pratt informing Pratt of a letter written by Bishop H. B. Whipple and forwarded to Armstrong by Elizabeth Farmer. Armstrong asks Pratt to write to Bishop Whipple for support and to invite him to…
Repository: Yale University Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Armstrong Asks Pratt to Write to Bishop Whipple705.48 KB
March 1, 1878
Samuel Chapman Armstrong writes to Richard Henry Pratt confirming plans for the arrival of ten of Pratt's students under the care of Mr. Caruthers, and discusses scholarships for those students.
Repository: Yale University Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Armstrong Plans for Arrival of Pratt's Students563.54 KB
August 1, 1878
Samuel Chapman Armstrong informs Richard Henry Pratt that he has received a telegram from Washington, indicating that a previously sent letter was not received and that Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt is opposed to educating Indian girls…
Repository: Yale University Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Topics: BIA Policy and Policy Changes
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Armstrong Informs Pratt of Washington Telegram469.05 KB
August 18, 1878
Samuel Chapman Armstrong writes to Richard Henry Pratt encouraging him to write to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt to share Pratt's ideas about an Indian school. Armstrong provides some advice to Pratt about downplaying Pratt's views…
Repository: Yale University Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Armstrong Encourages Pratt to Propose School Ideas to Hayt902.47 KB
![Armstrong Informs Pratt That Recruitment Can Begin, 1878 [Version 1]](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/image-document/YALE_WA-MSS-S-1174_b01_f011_7_1.jpeg?itok=ke82y5Dg "Armstrong Informs Pratt That Recruitment Can Begin [Version 1]")
August 26, 1878
Samuel Chapman Armstrong writes to Richard Henry Pratt informing him that Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt has approved Pratt's idea to recruit Indian youth to attend the Hampton Institute. Armstrong discusses the construction of a new…
Repository: Yale University Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Armstrong Informs Pratt That Recruitment Can Begin [Version 1]1.29 MB
![Armstrong Informs Pratt That Recruitment Can Begin, 1878 [Version 2]](/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/image-document/YALE_WA-MSS-S-1174_b01_f011_8.jpeg?itok=v1CXmBPA "Armstrong Informs Pratt That Recruitment Can Begin [Version 2]")
August 26, 1878
Samuel Chapman Armstrong writes to Richard Henry Pratt informing him that Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt has approved Pratt's idea to recruit Indian youth to attend the Hampton Institute. Armstrong discusses the construction of a new…
Repository: Yale University Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Armstrong Informs Pratt That Recruitment Can Begin [Version 2]1.44 MB
August 29, 1878
Samuel Chapman Armstrong writes to Richard Henry Pratt enclosing a letter of concerns, potentially from Diggs, about Indian education. The enclosure is not included in this file, but Armstrong outlines some of the concerns, including that "we'll…
Repository: Yale University Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Topics: Founding of the School
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Armstrong Forwards Pratt Letter of Concerns488.51 KB
August 31, 1878
Samuel Chapman Armstrong writes to Richard Henry Pratt authorizing travel expenses for Mrs. Pratt and Etadleuh to recruit Indian youth for Hampton alongside Pratt. Armstrong also discusses some opposition that he and Pratt will face in their work…
Repository: Yale University Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Armstrong Authorizing Travel Expenses for Pratt872.26 KB
September 4, 1878
Samuel Chapman Armstrong writes to Richard Henry Pratt informing him that he telegraphed instructions for Pratt to be sent a complete set of Hampton Institute photograph to be used in his recruitment efforts. At this time, Pratt was preparing or…
Repository: Yale University Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Armstrong Sends Photographs to Pratt571.82 KB
December 20-30, 1878
Hampton Institute Principal Samuel Chapman Armstrong responds to Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt's inquiry regarding the need for Captain Richard Henry Pratt to stay at Hampton to help care for and manage the Indian students. Armstrong…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics:
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Preference that Pratt Stay at Hampton to Assist with Indian Students301.68 KB
January 9, 1879
Secretary of War George W. McCrary forwards and endorses a letter from the General of the Army in response to a request to grant Richard Henry Pratt the authority to remain at the Hampton Institute for three months. The note states that Pratt is…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics:
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Need for Pratt to Choose Between Hampton Institute and his Military Service346.13 KB
January 14, 1879
Richard H. Pratt states that he currently has 57 male students at Hampton and is looking to recruit 20 female students. He goes on to say that he plans to send most of the former Ft. Marion prisoners currently enrolled at Hamtpon on outings,…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Sending "Florida Boys" at Hampton on Outings 351.46 KB
February 14, 1879
Spencer Fullteron Baird, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, writes to Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz to endorse Captain Richard H. Pratt's request to establish an Indian School at the Carlisle Barracks. Baird contends that there is…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Founding of the School
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Recommendation of Carlisle Barracks as Location for Indian School161.88 KB
May 29, 1879
Richard H. Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt that it will take a week to place the male students from Hampton on farms in Massachusetts and then he will travel to Florida. Pratt expects to place a dozen male students on…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Placing Hampton Students on Outing on Farms in Massachusetts109.33 KB
June 2, 1879
Richard H. Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt that there are problems "persuading these Yankee farmers" in Massachusetts to be outing hosts for Hampton students. While seven farmers are interested in hosting a student, Pratt…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Outing Patrons
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Problem with Finding Outing Hosts in Massachusetts142.25 KB
June 2, 1879
Hampton Institute Principal Samuel C. Armstrong states that they are currently educating 38 Indian boys and only 9 Indian girls, so he requests that they recruit 20 Dakota female Indian students. He requests that, if his wish is granted, Captain…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request to Recruit Dakota Students for Hampton308.59 KB
July 18 - July 19, 1879
Lieutenant Melville C. Wilkinson requests to temporarily engage in "Indian educational work" in Oregon, and Acting Secretary of the Interior A. Bell forwards and endorses Wilkinson's request to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and the Secretary…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Indian School System
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request to Engage in Indian Education in Oregon305.18 KB
July 23 - August 1, 1879
Secretary of War George W. McCrary informs Assistant Secretary of the Interior A. Bell that he does not have authority to allow Lieutenant Melville C. Wilkinson to engage in Indian education as Richard Henry Pratt is already in that line of work…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Indian School System
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Denial of Authority to Engage in Indian Education in Oregon263.03 KB
August 4, 1879
Letter from Richard Henry Pratt to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt suggesting an increase in the per-student funding afforded by the government to Indian schools. Pratt also encourages the Commissioner to continue pursuing…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Per-Student Funding and Establishment of School at Carlisle12.43 MB
August 8, 1879
A letter wherein Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt writes to Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz to recommend expanding the kind of educational program pursued at Hampton for "the civilization of Indian youth of both sexes… far away…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Letter Recommending Expansion of Education Program at Hampton Indian School3.15 MB
August 22, 1879
Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt instructs the Acting Commissioner to allow Richard Henry Pratt to select 70 students from Sioux Nations and 30 from the Kiowa, Comanche, Cheyenne, and Arapaho Nations.
Note: This item was copied…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Founding of the School
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Order to Recruit Sioux, Kiowa, Comanche, Cheyenne, and Arapaho Students98.96 KB
August 22, 1879
Adjutant General E. D. Townsend states that the Secretary of War has approved the Secretary of the Interior's request to transfer the Carlisle Barracks from the War Department to the Interior. The Barracks will be used as a school for Indian…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Founding of the School
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Transfer of Carlisle Barracks from War Department to Interior Department221.86 KB
August 23, 1879
Secretary of War George W. McCrary informs the Secretary of the Interior that he has issued orders to transfer the Carlisle Barracks to the Interior Department to use as an Indian school.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Founding of the School
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Plans to Transfer Carlisle Barracks to the Interior Department234.9 KB