National Archives and Records Administration

Richard Henry Pratt submits a "Special" Estimate of Funds form for $6,362.80 for support of school.

J. L. Thomas writes regarding a request from the Onondaga Nation to have their children returned from the Carlisle Indian School. Thomas references the Onondaga Chief Daniel La Fort's visit to Washington where he secured a promise to have the children returned home but has had no word since.

Richard Henry Pratt writes to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs regarding the ownership of the property upon which the Carlisle Indian School is located. Pratt notes that the Department of the Interior has made significant improvements to the property and should have the title as approved under a bill signed by the President in 1882.

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Richard Henry Pratt informs the Department of Indian Affairs that he has contracted to have fifty students from the Mescalero Band of the Apache Nation to be transported to the Carlisle Indian School. He queries the office as to where the funds to pay for the transport should be taken from.

Richard Henry Pratt follows up on his letter of February 27, 1884 regarding the Hocker Farm lease. Pratt notes that part of the $1000 now and the remainder to be used at the end of the month and asks how the payment should be made.

Richard Henry Pratt inquires of the Office of Indian Affairs how to disburse the Hocker Farm money as he has not heard a reply to his letters of February 27, 1884 and March 10, 1884.

Richard Henry Pratt requests permission to send students with impaired vision to the Wills' Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for treatment.

Richard Henry Pratt seeks clarification on how to use the Osage Fund in such a way to avoid complications on the Carlisle Indian School's accounts. Pratt indicates its similarity to other funds as well as the Comptrollers instructions provides conflicting advice. Pratt ends by saying that he would request authority to use the fund for the…

Richard Henry Pratt notifies the Indian Affairs Office that he has arrived back at the Carlisle Indian School from his trip out West. Pratt also notes that he was not able to bring back a party of students from the Mescalero and Jicarilla Agency due to the Agent being detained in a Court case and no group of students ready to depart. He ends by…

Estimate of funds for the second quarter of 1884 amounting to $9,820.00 for support of the school. Richard H. Pratt also requests additional funds amounting to $5,435.00 for regular employee pay. 

Richard Henry Pratt responds to the letter from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs regarding a large sum of funds on hand related. Pratt indicates that the sum is for the transportation of 50 Apache students from the Mescalero and Jicarilla Agency and is made out to the William H. H. Llewellyn, U.S. Indian Agent for the Agency.

Richard Henry Pratt queries the Commissioner of Indian Affairs regarding the sum he sent William H. H. Llewellyn, U.S. Indian Agent for the Mescalero and Jicarilla Agency, for the transportation of 50 Apache students to Carlisle. Pratt requests that if the students are not coming then he should be informed immediately.

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to return 25 more students than he has already been given permission for by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Pratt indicates that this is a result of returning students who will come back in the Fall.

Richard Henry Pratt writes regarding a promise made by Laban J. Miles, U.S. Indian Agent, that three students would be returned with the party of the Osage students being sent home. Pratt writes that this promise should be fulfilled and asks that Peliza who is at the Lincoln Institute be transferred back to Carlisle and along with Edward…

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to increase the number of pupils at the Carlisle Indian School for the upcoming school year. Pratt notes that he has corresponded with individuals from the Osage, Pueblo, and White Earth Agencies and they have noted they would like to increase the number of students at Carlisle. Pratt indicates that if the…

William H. H. Llewellyn, U.S. Indian Agent for the Mescalero and Jicarilla Agency, informs the Office of Indian Affairs of a delay in sending students to Carlisle due to the Texas and Pacific Railway being washed out in places.

Richard Henry Pratt requests that $7000 be placed to his credit in order to gather the 150 students authorized by the Indian Affairs Office.

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to return three students whose terms have expired. Two of the students, Lena Carr and Harry Marmon, stayed behind because of instructions from Dr. Sheldon Jackson but whose parents have since been requested they return. Pratt has also kept Kise to manage the Harness Shop until he can find a suitable…

S. R. Martin refers bill of A. Shetter for board of returned Carlisle students for $20. The original was forwarded to Richard Henry Pratt.

Estimate of funds for the third quarter of 1884 amounting to $21,108.00 for support of the school. Richard H. Pratt also requests additional funds amounting to $6,105.00 for regular employee pay. 

Mary E. Whitcomb inquires of Richard Henry Pratt if there are any vacancies at the Carlisle Indian School for a teacher due to an increase in the number of students. Pratt forwards the letter to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs noting that the increase in students additional teachers would be of help.

Richard Henry Pratt requests the approval for his request for $7000 in order to transport pupils to Carlisle. In particular, Pratt notes that one of the Carlisle Indian School teachers who returned with Pueblo students has seen 40 students from Laguna request to be enrolled at Carlisle. This is in addition to other Pueblo villages as well as…

Luke Phillips, a member of the Nez Perce Nation, requests to be sent home along with the Nez Perce students. Richard Henry Pratt forwards the request and notes that he has argued with Phillips to stay but believes it might be best to return him.

Richard Henry Pratt requests information from the Indian Affairs Office regarding an exhibit for New Orleans. Pratt mentions that Spencer Fullerton Baird of the Smithsonian Institute has mentioned building a display in conjunction with the Carlisle Indian School as well as an inquiry from General Eaton.

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that the El Paso Station is accessible from the Mescalero Agency if a party of students is being sent to the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt ends by stating that he is heading West on Monday.