National Archives and Records Administration

Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt, responding to a forwarded letter from Major Pollock of the Rosebud Agency. Pratt argues against screening students' letters home, suggesting that it would harm the government's relationship with their parents and chiefs. Pratt also addresses students' written complaints…

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt denies the request of American Horse to visit Washington DC and Carlisle (to see his children), citing concerns about the winter weather. Hayt says to W. McK. Heath (the recipient of the letter) that plans will be made for some of the members of the Oglala Sioux to visit Carlisle in the spring instead…

Richard H. Pratt acknowledges receipt of five crusts of vaccine virus.

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."

Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz grants permission for Captain Richard H. Pratt to spend $100 on taking photographs of Carlisle Indian School buildings and students to send to the students' parents.

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in…

Richard H. Pratt transmits a "Special" Estimate for Stationary form for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. 

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."…

Richard Henry Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt that the construction of the chapel and assembly room is completed and will be where the school holds its Christmas celebration. Pratt accepts the building as a gift from the Department of the Interior and invites Hayt to join them for the holiday.

Note: This item was…

Richard Henry Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt that Dr. J. J. Bender's temporary employment "has proven acceptable" and requests to permanently hire him for $700 per year .

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record…

R. L. Sibbet, a citizen of Carlisle, asks why the Carlisle Indian School is employing a homeopathic physician instead of a doctor that practices "rational medicine."

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters…

Richard Henry Pratt writes two letters to officials at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, inquiring why needed funds for the construction of the chapel have not been provided. In the first letter, to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt, Pratt notes that he has borrowed money to fill the financial gap. In the second letter, to Edwin J. Brooks,…

Richard Henry Pratt acknowledges receipt of a Milburn wagon. A note indicates that this is a copy of the original receipt.

Instructions from Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt sent to Indian Agent S. A. Russell at the Mescalaro Agency to pursue gathering "six to ten boys" from the (Apache) Mescalero Tribe to send to the Carlisle Indian School or Hampton, "provided you can obtain the consent of the parents." Hayt instructed Russell to focus on selecting…

Comptroller W. W. Lipton refers to an account in favor of the War Department for $630.78 for medical and hospital supplies transferred to the Interior Department as part of the transfer of the Carlisle Barracks from the War to Interior to establish the Carlisle Indian School. Lipton states that he has no evidence that the transfer of medical…

Richard Henry Pratt forwards to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs a letter from Olive Roberts, requesting employment as a teacher at the Carlisle Indian School. Roberts states that they previously ran the Crow Creek boarding school in Dakota. Pratt requests more information about Roberts, and notes that many of his teachers are giving up…

Richard Henry Pratt telegrams the Commissioner of Indian Affairs asking for permission to come to Washington that day to discuss school matters, including a farm and industrial training.

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt sends Lieutenant Richard H. Pratt a six-month supply of two dozen different blank administrative forms used by the United States Indian Affairs division of the Department of the Interior. Pratt acknowledges the receipt of the stationary.

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives…

Richard Henry Pratt reports that the Rosebud delegation that visited Carlisle consumed 1,103 pounds of beef during their visit.

Lieutenant Richard H. Pratt acknowledges receipt of 24 dozen bottles of ink and one box by Adams Express.

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."

Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt suggesting the return home of the former Ft. Marion prisoners, who had gone to Hampton and then Carlisle following their release. Pratt notes that they have been very helpful both at Carlisle and in general in generating good will among their people, and that sending them…

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…

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 Indian Agent M. B. Kent at the Great Nemaha Agency that authorized the selection of "6 or 7 promising children" to undergo health screenings and to be brought by Agent Kent to the Carlisle Indian School. Hayt stated that some recruits should be from the Sac & Fox Tribe and the Iowa…

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…