Letter-1842, August 15

Transcribed letter to Major R.W. Cummins, Indian Agent, Fort Leavenworth Agency from J.C. Berryman, Superintendent Manual Labor School dated Aug 15, 1842

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Ind M. L. School
Aug 15th 1842

Major R.W. Cummins

Dear Sir

    In obedience to your call I herewith present to you our annual Report of the Indian Manual Labor School. I have endeavored not only to report on all the matters embraced in your instructions, but also everything else connected with our operations that I had any reason to believe would be interesting to our Government, which, we are happy to know, takes a deep interest in the amelioration of the condition of the sighing sons of the woods.

    At the commencement of our school year (Oct 1st 1841) we were $3000.00 in debt. The appropriation of the Missionary Society last fall was made in view of our receiving aid from the Government of the United States in compliance with former stipulations: which aid we have not received this year; I presume because we have not asked for it. I have not yet posted up my books so as to know certainly how our accounts stand: But the Institution will be largely in arrears with various persons who have claims on its funds.

    We respectfully suggest to the Government, whose child in part this Institution is, to aid us in this trying hour; and not let the brightening prospects of this establishment which promises to do so much for the unfortunate Indian race, be blasted for want of a little timely encouragement.

    Our Missionary Treasury is greatly in debt: But still the board will do all they can. But we do most confidently look to the Civilization fund and to the Delaware and Kansas School funds for relief in our present straitened circumstances.

Respectfully
Yr. Most ob’t Serv’t
J.C. Berryman
Supt I.M.L. School

Maj R.W. Cummins
Agent for Gov’t U. States

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[Transcribed from National Archives Microfilm Series M234, roll301, frames 1096-1097 by Roger Berg Jr., Dec. 1992]