Request to Spend Funds

Acting Secretary of the Interior A. Bell returns an Estimate of Expenditures (not attached) for building repairs at the Carlisle Barracks to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. As Bell deems these repairs to be necessary to converting the Barracks to a school, he grants Richard Henry Pratt authority to spend $1,332 on supplies.

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Request from Richard Henry Pratt for $430 of previously authorized funds to be credited to his account, for the construction of a fence at Carlisle Barracks.

Superintendent Richard Henry Pratt requests that the Commissioner of Indian Affairs transfer $1332.50 of approved funds to Pratt's control for repairs to buildings at the Carlisle Barracks.

Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz returns a list of articles and supplies requested by Richard Henry Pratt for the Carlisle Indian School. Schurz grants immediate authority to make open market purchase of the requested supplies amounting to $1,972.

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which…

Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz grants Richard Henry Pratt authority to purchase a list of supplies amounting to $1,998.25 on the open market. The list of supplies mostly includes bedding, furniture, and kitchen supplies.

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

Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt requesting authority to purchase personal supplies for students, including clothing and toiletries for both males and females.

Surgeon J. H. Frantz informs Richard Henry Pratt that only 30 of the 158 students have been vaccinated. Pratt forwards Frantz's comments to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and requests to purchase 140 vaccines.

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

Richard Henry Pratt requests to spend $50 to subscribe to periodicals and newspapers so that he and his assistants can stay informed.

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…

Richard Henry Pratt requests permission to sell two old mules, transferred from the War Department, and to purchase two farm horses.

Based on a discussion with the Secretary of the Interior and the Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Richard Henry Pratt requests funds for the purchase of 110 sets of dormitory furniture on the open market.

Richard Henry Pratt acknowledges receipt of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs' statement of funds that covers some of the Carlisle Indian School's expenses during the first and second quarter of fiscal year 1879-1880. Pratt requests authority to use funds for five other expenses amounting to $4,850.00 from the same period of time.

Richard Henry Pratt requests Commissioner of Indian Affairs R. E. Trowbridge's approval for purchases made during the first quarter of 1880 amounting to $1,163.59. The purchases were not covered on the quarter's estimate of funds but were "indispensable" to the Carlisle Indian School, so Pratt purchased them with money on hand.

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Richard Henry Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs R. E. Trowbridge that when the late and former Commissioner, E. A. Hayt, visited the school several months ago, he recommended that Pratt hire an instructor and start a student band at the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt has finally found an instructor and requests Trowbridge's approval…

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to purchase 300 dining room stools, 72 desks, 30 rear seats, and 5 teacher's desks amounting to $545

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…

Richard Henry Pratt requests to spend $65 on materials for his blacksmith and wagonmaker to make a carriage to travel to the town of Carlisle and the surrounding countryside.

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, "…

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to purchase food for students instead of using the government-issued rations. Pratt requests to spend up to 17.5¢ per student per day and to be able to choose food for the students so that they can receive better nutrition.

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234…

Richard Henry Pratt requests to spend $80 to transport students to the South Mountain to visit the iron works and paper mills and to have a picnic. Pratt would like to arrange this excursion when the Dakota chiefs and families are visiting.

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

Richard Henry Pratt requests to purchase 20 standard tents and 2 hospital tents. Pratt wants the tents because he intends to form two detachments of boys and one detachment of girls and send them to camp in the mountains near the school for a period of three weeks each.

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

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that he hired Zoe McKenzie to serve as an interpreter and assistant matron when he brought Sioux students to the Carlisle Indian School in 1879. Pratt notes that he paid her a monthly salary of $10 and covered her expenses and requests authority from Commissioner of Indian Affairs R. E.…

Richard Henry Pratt writes to Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. J. Brooks regarding Brooks' decision to not allow Pratt to purchase tents or take his students to camp in the mountains over the summer. Pratt tells Brooks that he had already discussed the plan with Commissioner R. E. Trowbridge, who was very receptive to the idea, and…

Richard Henry Pratt request the authority to buy an annual supply of coal, approximately 400 tons, for $2,280.00. Pratt notes that he normally purchases coal monthly, but he'd rather buy a full year's supply to avoid having it shipped in the winter.

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were…

Richard Henry Pratt inquires if he has authority to purchase tents as he informs the Office of Indian Affairs he has not received a letter confirming their telegram of June 24, 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…

Richard Henry Pratt requests to spend $50 on material to build a hose carriage.

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 requests to spend $1,000 on material for clothing and its manufacture for students.

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 requests to spend $2,125 on beef and flour for students.

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."