Report-1843, September 15

Transcribed report on the activities of the Indian Manual Labor School from J.C. Berryman, Superintendent Manual Labor School to R.W. Cummins, Indian Agent, Fort Leavenworth Agency dated Sep 15,1843

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1843
Sept 15

United States
In account with Ind. M. L. School

Indian M. L. School
September 19th 1843

Dear Sir

    A letter was received by me a few days since from the Rev. Mr Ames, communicating instructions from the War Department to Superintendants [sic] of Indian schools, respecting the manner of making out accounts against the Department for the support of said schools.

    The instructions require that in making out “such accounts as are to be paid out of the civilization and education funds, the statements shall be made in detail; embracing every object of expenditure, sustained by Bills and Receipts if for property by Bills of purchase stating each article and the price: if for services, the kind of, the time charged for, and the amt. paid in each individual case” – and that “no payments will be made by the Treasury in future in any other manner”

    I am not sure that I understand these instructions. If anything more is intended than is met in the form of the accompanying account we are not prepared to comply with the instructions for the time past. We are prepared to show how all the monies received have been expended. But we have not been in the habit of taking receipts of persons to whom we have paid money for labor or property; and this we could not possibly do now as many of the persons have left the country, and indeed a large portion of our farm work has been done by Indians hired by the day who are incapable of giving a receipt. We might write the receipt and take his X mark, but what would that avail? were we disposed to defraud we might write the receipt for $10, and read it to him for $1, the sum paid. Our society have never required any thing of the kind of us: if however this is what the Department requires we wish to be so instructed definitely.

    We consider ourselves, however, relieved from this intolerable burden by the express language of the Government in the Article of agreement entered into on the 20th of June 1838 between Mr. Harris Comr Ind. Affairs on the part of the Government and Revd Messrs Luckey + Johnson on the part of the Missionary Society of the M. E. church. That agreement holds the following language. “The Department is willing to promise that it will pay$ 2500 a year, or one half of the expense of any number not exceeding fifty pupils estimated at one hundred dollars for each: and so far as it may be proper it will induce the Tribes living in the vicinity to apply the funds secured to them by treaty for Education, to the support and tuition of their children at your Institution.” I invite your attention to this article; and would inquire, if we give satisfaction to the Department that we have the number of children required, are we not entitled to the $2500? But we have many more now than this number, supported and taught entirely free of expense to their parents, as was originally designed. It would be next to impossible for us to keep such accounts as the instructions above referred to seem to contemplate, where our system of opperation [sic] is so complex. Here are mechanic shops and farming opperations [sic] and school expenses all moving on together; the boys working on the farm; the girls making clothes; washing and cooking for the children; and all eating at one table supplied by the products of a large farm made entirely at the expense, and a very heavy expense too, of the Missionary Society.

    By the plain, unequivocal language of the agreement as above quoted; we hold the Department bound to our Institution for the $2500 a year, when we show that we have the number of pupils required: and also for the school funds of those Tribes who have directed their funds to be applied here. And if there is any faith in the Government, as doubtless there is, these stipulations will be complied with The improvements are as reported last year, except that we have built a mill running two pair of Burrs at a cost of $4000. and purchased a field of an Indian adjoining our farm containing fifty acres at a cost of $200. The stock and all other property is about as reported a year ago.

I have the honor to be
Dear Sir
Your most obedient Servt
J.C. Berryman
Supt. Ind. M. L. School

Maj. R.W. Cummins
Ind. Agt_ Ft Leavenworth Agency

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[Transcribed from National Archives Microfilm Series MS234, roll 731, frames 256-257, by Roger Berg Jr., July, 1991]