1879

Frank D. Karr, Superintendent of Warehouse, encloses two letters, one of which relates to shipping organs to Yankton Agency and the other by N. L. Douglass relating to shipping rates to the Carlisle Indian School. Pennsylvania Railroad Company Agent Douglass provides a list of shipping rates from New York to Carlisle. As these rates are the…

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt informs Indian Agent V. T. McGillycuddy that there is no need to send more young people from the Pine Ridge Agency to the Carlisle Indian School. Hayt states that the quota from other agencies has been increased to meet the original estimate of students.

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt's letter to Richard Henry Pratt communicating that it is unnecessary to recruit more children from the Pine Ridge Agency to attend the Carlisle Indian School. Hayt says that he does not think it best to take more young people from their home at present time. Hayt also lets Pratt know that he…

Richard H. Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt regarding a board to appraise property at the Carlisle Barracks. Pratt notes that, because of the timing of this visit, he will be unable to meet a group of recruited students in the West as planned, and instead suggests sending teachers Alfred J. Standing and Sarah Mather.…

Telegram from Richard Henry Pratt to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs asking for a quick response to outstanding requests for supplies.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards a copy of a letter from the Carlisle Gas and Water Company regarding cost of water while the Barracks is occupied. Pratt requests permission to resume payment of a long-standing water contract, as requested by the company.

Wilson & Bradbury Dry Goods Commission Merchants informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt that they received an order from Carlisle for 140 heavy blankets. While those blankets could be manufactured, there are a variety of other blankets that they could send immediately. The merchants ask Hayt what they should do.

Note: This…

Telegram from Richard Henry Pratt requesting funds from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. The funds were needs for repairs, the construction of a fence, and the purchase of school and bedding furniture.

Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt asking whether official postage stamps can be used to send students' mail to their families and friends at home in the western Agencies.

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that funds promised in previous correspondence have not yet been received. Pratt warns that, if the funds are not received soon, he will be unable to meet recruited students at Winfield, Kansas as previously arranged.

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.

Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt for instructions on how to process donations received for the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that he received a donation for the continued education of a former prisoner-of-war held at Fort Marion in St. Augustine, Florida. He requests specific instructions on how or…

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.

Superintendent Richard Henry Pratt writes Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt regarding food costs for Indian students. Pratt suggests that, until a proper standard is established, the Army ration rate be adopted and provided to him as a food allowance for the pupils.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards to Commissioner of Indian Affiars Ezra Hayt a telegram sent by General Samuel Armstrong of the Hampton Institute. Armstrong telegrams Pratt asking whether he (Armstrong) is needed for a recruitment trip to Dakota, and Pratt forwards the telegram to the Commissioner for consultation.

Richard H. Pratt submits an Estimate of Supplies for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 1879 amounting to $2,361.91 and requests to purchase those items in the open market. The form includes the items being requested, the quantity, the estimated cost, and how the item will be used at the school.

Note: This item was copied from U.S.…

Telegram from Richard Henry Pratt informing the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that he is borrowing money for his travel west, and will be leaving that day.

Note: Previously approved funds had not yet been made available to Pratt, despite numerous requests to the Commissioner. Pratt was traveling to Winfield, Kansas to meet up with…

Telegram from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt to Richard Henry Pratt which informs Pratt that sixty people are expected to come to Carlisle from Indian Territory. 

Hayt asks if Pratt will be able to meet this party on October 15th (in Winfield) or if Alfred J. Standing should be telegraphed instead. He promises that he…

Letter from Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra E. Hayt to Indian Agent E. Stephens at Green Bay Agency authorizing him to recruit two Menominee boys from Keshena to go to Hampton Institute, payment for which had already been sent along to Mrs. W. Wheeler from General Armstrong. Hayt also suggests that he might meet up with Indian Agent Charles…

Richard H. Pratt signs an invoice confirming that the Commissioner of Indian Affairs sent him a large shipment of letter paper, note paper, and envelopes.

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…

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra E. Hayt's suggests that letters sent by the children cannot be classed under the head of official correspondence, and therefore those letters should not use "official" stamps." Hayt does encourage letter writing and tells Pratt to provide an estimate for the purchase of U.S. postage stamps.

Richard Henry Pratt telegrams the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, noting that no tickets were on deposit for recruited Cheyenne and Kiowa students met in Wichita, Kansas. Pratt also notes that the Osage did not receive enough information about the request for students, and that the Pawnee and Ponca agents had not heard about the request. Pratt…

Telegram from Richard Henry Pratt to the Secretary of the Interior, pleading for the provision of immediate transportation of recruited students from Wichita, Kansas to Carlisle. The Indian Office had failed to provide transportation for the students in time, necessitating Pratt's plea.

Richard Henry Pratt telegrams the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, informing him that the Cheyenne agent can supply students to make up the deficiency of students at Hampton, and should be instructed to send one third boys and two third girls. Pratt notes that these students could be escorted east by Alfred Standing and Sarah Mather, two…

Telegram from Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt sent to Richard Henry Pratt or Alfred J. Standing. (Hayt did not know who was at Wichita, Kansas to receive the telegram.) 

The telegram reads: "Bring on Osage, Pawnee, and Ponca children."