Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt, requesting permission to purchase the listed supplies for the school. Some of the supplies had already been purchased for immediate use. The request includes construction materials, repairs to buildings and the ambulance, books, scientific and medical supplies, industrial…
Letters/Correspondence


Samuel Chapman Armstrong of the Hampton Institute writes to Richard Henry Pratt discussing various individuals' views towards Indian education, as well as per capita rates.

Richard Henry Pratt reports that he was forced to purchase coal on the open market, above his pre-approved limit, due to a shortage for the first quarter of 1880.

Letter from Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt to Crow Creek Agent W. E. Dougherty inquiring about the experience of Olive M. Roberts of Meadville, PA who ran the Crow Creek boarding school for three years. Hayt was asking for information on her record at Crow Creek as she was applying for a position at the Carlisle Indian School.…

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt's response to Captain Richard Henry Pratt's request to have Reverend A. H. Donaldson send a delegation to procure "50 to 75 Navajo children for education" at the Carlisle Indian School. Hayt encouraged Pratt to first secure funding from Congress before bringing more children to the Carlisle Indian…

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt informs the Indian Agent of Rosebud Agency Cicero Newell that he cannot consider Spotted Tail's request to visit Carlisle this winter. "It is not deemed best for any of the members of the tribe to make the proposed visit this winter." Instead, arrangements will be made in the spring.
…

J. A. Moore, Principal of the Soldiers' Orphan School of Cumberland County, writes to Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz regarding the possibility of sending Indian students to his school or one of the other soldiers' orphan schools in Pennsylvania. Moore informs Schurz that his school is near the Carlisle Indian School, and he recognizes…

Richard Henry Pratt requests an order to travel to Washington from Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt. Pratt notes that he was requested to appear before the House Committee on Indian Affairs.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt a copy of the first issue of Eadle Keatah Toh, the first newspaper published at the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that more donations will soon fund the purchase of a better printing press, and discusses other topics including new student uniforms and the…

Samuel Chapman Armstrong of the Hampton Institute writes to Richard Henry Pratt about ongoing disagreements with Washington officials over expenses to be paid for the prisoners from Ft. Marion.

Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. J. Brooks responding to J. A. Moore in Camp Hill, PA regarding an inquiry about educating Indian children at the Soldiers Orphans' Homes of Pennsylvania. Brooks writes that the funds for the current fiscal year do not allow for the education of more Indian children, but they are hopeful to receive more…

Richard Henry Pratt requests an immediate transfer of funds to cover debts from the fourth quarter of 1879.

Pratt writes to the Rev. A. H. Donaldson in New Mexico, forwarding a copy of a Department of Interior letter authorizing Navajo children to be admitted to the Carlisle Indian School.
This material is from the Richard Henry Pratt papers, donated by his family to Yale University in 1959 and 1976. Selected content from the Pratt collection…

Richard Henry Pratt forwards his cash and property accounts for the fourth quarter of 1879 to Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs Edwin J. Brooks.

Richard Henry Pratt acknowledges receipt of a spring wagon from Toledo, Ohio.

Richard Henry Pratt submits his return of medical property and transfer of hospital supplies for the fourth quarter of 1879.

Richard Henry Pratt informs A. O. Hyde that his son-in-law Lieutenant George LeRoy Brown has been using leave of absence from his post in Dakota to serve as the disciplinarian for the male students at the Carlisle Indian School but will have to return soon. As Pratt thinks this would be a monumental loss for the school, he informs Hyde that he'…

Richard Henry Pratt telegrams the Commissioner of Indian Affairs asking for permission to send Alfred John Standing to the Comanche Agency to recruit students. Pratt also asks if the former Florida prisoners can be sent back.

Richard Henry Pratt writes to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs regarding a desire by the Secretary of the Interior to increase enrollment at Carlisle. Pratt suggests that a number of new rules be adopted regarding students' ages, gender ratio, and health. Pratt also suggests that the children of chiefs and headmen be preferred, to ensure good…

Richard Henry Pratt requests a quick reply to his telegram of February 23, requesting permission to send Alfred John Standing to the Comanche Agency to recruit students.

Richard Henry Pratt submits invoices regarding the transfer of property and supplies at the Carlisle Barracks to the Department of the Interior. Pratt notes that these files were overlooked when others were transferred previously.

Richard Henry Pratt suggests to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that Alfred J. Standing's experience and reputation at the Kiowa and Comanche Agency will help him select suitable students there. Pratt also suggests that this recruitment should be done according to his recent suggestions regarding enrollment.

Richard Henry Pratt telegrams Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs Edwin J. Brooks, informing him that a group of Iowa and Sac & Fox children arrived safely and will be held as directed.

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that medicine transferred from the War Department is not needed at Carlisle, as his homeopathic physician will supply his own. Pratt suggests that the medicines be sent elsewhere.

Letter wherein Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs Edward J. Brooks responded to Captain Richard Henry Pratt's request for information about "Mr. Standing['s]" visit to the Kiowa and Comanche Agency. Brooks lets Pratt know that Brooks has already authorized "Mr. Standing" to bring ten children back with him from the Agency to be educated at…