Report-1854, June 9

Transcribed abstract of the case of the Manual Labor School in the Shawnee Country, established by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1838 by Wm B. Waugh, Indian Office dated Jun 9, 1854

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[June 9, 1854]

Abstract of the case of the Manual Labor School in the Shawnee Country, established by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1838.

   The proposition to establish a Manual Labor School for the benefit of the Indians of the South West by the Methodist Episcopal Church was first submitted to the Dept by the Rev. Messrs Luckey and Johnson on the 8th and 12th June 1838. The Board of Managers of the Missionary Society of the church recommended the location of the school within the white settlement and contiguous to the Indian country. To this the Department objected and in a letter to Revd. T Johnson of June 20, 1838, replying to the proposition, suggested that the Shawnees or some other Tribe would assent to its location upon their land. The Board also proposed to apply annually for the support of such institution a sum not exceeding 10.000 $ – and estimates were presented by Mr Johnson showing the number, description of the completed buildings etc. In the letter referred to of 20th June 1838, the Department stated that it was willing, upon the completion of the buildings in a satisfactory manner and at a point convenient to the Indians, to pay the Society $5000 provided the buildings cost twice that sum, or one half of the cost should it be less – also $2500 per annum or one half of the expense of any number, not exceeding fifty pupils, estimated at $100 for each – and it would, where proper, try to induce the tribes in the vicinity of the school to apply their education funds for the education of their children at said school, reserving the right to have a voice, through its agent, in regard to the site, the buildings and the matter of the value thereof; and at all times to excercise a general supervision of the establishment and the expenditure of the funds – to withhold the$ 2500 for cause – the Society to bind itself to re-imburse the $5000 if it should fail to carry out all of its engagements in good faith etc. And if in the judgement of the Department and the Society it should become inexpedient to continue the school, the matter would be amicably adjusted, upon principles of equity.

   At the same time the Department gave directions to the Supt at St Louis in the premises, directing that  Agent Cummins be instructed to cooperate with the Society and to report frequently the progress of the work.

   Agent Cummins reported on 22 May 1839 that Mr Johnson made a beginning about the 1st of February 1839 – land had been prepared etc. and it was expected the buildings would be ready for occupation by the school in October following.

   The same agent transmitted to the Dept March 28, 1840 a report from the Superintending committee of the school, showing the condition of the establishment and expenditures. Agent Cummins believed the report to be substantially correct. The following is an abstract thereof –   The school commenced 29 Oct 1839 – expenses up to 28 March as follows –

   Expended for clothing, salaries, provisions, furniture, stock, farming utensils, cultivating farm etc. etc. for buildings including $2200 material in hand

$ 11726.37
$10637.60
$22363.97

   Received from Missionary Society Debt at present (28 March ’40)

 15922.57
$6441.40

   The report goes on to enumerate the stock of 3 horses, 95 cattle etc. – and show the farming of 540 acres, and describes the buildings two of brick etc. – number of children in attendance at the school 67. The buildings were not complete and the Society embarassed for want of funds. The Superintendant ask[ed] for the aid promised by the Dept.

   On 24 April ’40 a requisition was issued in favor of Rev T Johnson + J Greene, present, for $6250, “being the amount of a “donation to aid in the erection of school buildings in the Indian “country and for education expenses for 1840, as promised by the “Dept in a letter to T Johnson of 20th June 1838”.

   Subsequent reports, which are filed in the 2nd Auditor’s office, will it is presumed show what has been done in the way of receipts and expenditures up to the present.

   In 1842 the expenses were $9700.

   By an agreement with the Delaware Indians of Feby 28 1844, sanctioned by this office, with restriction, the Society was entitled to receive annually the interest on the Delaware school fund ($2,844) and further the arrearages of interest (upwards of $2000). See annual report of Indian Office for 1844 – page 71.

Indian Office
June 9, 1854
Wm B Waugh

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[Transcribed from National Archives microfilm series M574, roll 63, frames 539-541, by Roger Berg Jr., Jan 1993]