Report-1848, January 1

Transcribed report on the activities of the Indian Manual Labor School Thomas Johnson, Superintendent Manual Labor School to Wm. Medill, Commissioner of Indian Affairs dated Jan 1, 1848

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Ind. M. L. School, Jan 1st 1848

Dear Sir,

   In compliance with the Instructions of the Indian department, I herewith submit the 4th quarterly report for the current year ending Dec. 31st 1847 of the conditions of the I.M.L. School.

   The number of Delaware children at the close of the 4th Quarter was 40 21 males and 19 females and the whole number from all the Tribes was 100. They have all been taught in the schools from 6 to 7 hours per day and during the other part of the day the girls have been engaged at their usual business: Spinning, Weaving, Knitting, Sewing, Cooking, Washing etc. As the fall has been cold and disagreeable the boys have done but little outdoors excepting to chop wood and help to feed the stock; excepting those employed in the mechanic shops. The Doctor reports the Institution to be in a more healthy condition than usual. They have gathered a plentiful crop of corn, vegetables etc. And killed a very superior lot of Pork, perhaps enough to supply the Institution. I regret that I am not able to give you a more detailed account of the whole establishment, but as my appointment was confirmed too late in the fall for me to move my family to the Institution – I have only been able to spend part of the quarter at the place but expect to move early in the spring and hope in future to give fuller and more satisfactory reports.

   Permit me also to inform you that it has been found necessary to discontinue the office of Superintendent of the Ind. Mission conference. The Fiscal duties with the Government formerly attended to by that officer will now be attended to by the Rev E. Stevenson of Louisville Ky who is correspondent+ sec. of the M.S. of the M. E. Church South. He is expected to visit your city Rec. the funds due Receipt etc.

I have the honor to be dear sir
your obt. Servant
Thos. Johnson Supt.
I.M.L. School

Hon W. Madill [sic]
Com. Ind. Affrs.

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[Transcribed from microfilm roll number MS980 frames 240-241 in the collections of the Kansas State Historical Society, (National Archives Microfilm Series M234, roll 784) by Roger Berg Jr., June 1991]