Letter-1856, February 27

Transcribed letter concerning the removal of Ottawa Indian children from the school from Thomas Johnson to Geo W. Manypenny, Commissioner of Indian Affairs dated Feb 27, 1856

Shawnee M.L. School
Feb 27th 1856

Sir,

   On yesterday I recd a communication from the Ottawa Indians requesting me to inform them “when they would be required to take their children from this school + whether I knew of any other arrangement made by the government for the education of their children”. I informed them that I had heard nothing from you on this subject since last fall but that you informed me at that time that you expected to have some arrangements made for them by the 31st of March, though I had heard of no such arrangements + supposed none had been made yet, + that it was probable you might consent for them to stay until the close of this year+ that they need not send for them until they heard from me again.

   Now I would remark that they have only thirteen children here this winter + it would hardly be doing us justice to keep them here 6 months of the most expensive part of the year+ then take them away + call it only half a year when the last half of the year would not cost more than half as much as the first, for the two months vacation come out of the last half + their summer clothing do not cost so much as winter clothing therefore I would respectfully suggest that you let them stay until the close of the year for they would not likely do any good at another school until next fall. But I will acquiesce in your decision. Please inform me immediately so that I can give them notice provided they have to take their children away on the 31st of March

I have the honor to be yours
with great respect
Thos Johnson

Hon G W Manypenny
Comr Ind Affrs

[transcribed from National Archives microfilm series M234, roll 789, frames 250-251 by Roger Berg Jr., Jan 1993]