Report-1852, June 28

Transcribed explanations of charges from Auditors Office of the Treasury Department by Thomas Johnson, Superintendent Manual Labor School to Luke Lea, Commissioner of Indian Affairs dated Jun 28, 1852

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Ind. M.L. School June 28th /52

Sir,

   I have had the honor to receive from the second Auditors office of the Treasury Department, a communication informing me that in a settlement of my accounts for the year 1851 I stand charged with a Balance due the U.S. of$ 943 13/100 and at the same time I recd a statement showing how this balance arose. Now in answer I will try to explain each item separately.

1. “The sum of $400 said to have been received from Rev E. Stevenson 8th January, 1851, on acct. of Kansas, not accounted for.”

   By reference to the last treaty made with the Kansas Indians, (I think in 1846), you will find that the Gov. agreed to pay to the Missionary Society $400 for the old mission buildings, and I suppose that was the money Recd by the Rev. E. Stevenson as the official Agent of the Society, and he should have passed his receipt to the Government accordingly. But you will perceive at once that it should not have been charged to me, for this had to be paid whether any other school was established or not.

2. “The sum of $500 being a part of $3500 Recd from Rev. E.M. Selior 8th Jan 1851 on ace of Kansas not accounted for”

   With regard to this I have only to say that though the regular vouchers were not forwarded during the year 1851 they have been forwarded in the early part of the present year 1852. and I suppose this will all be satisfactory as soon as there is sufficient time for the papers to pass through the regular offices.

3. With regard to vouch no. 7 I plead guilty for I perceive a mistake+ stand justly charged with 63 cts. and will try to balance it at the close of the present year.
4. 12 is correct in the duplicate copy which I retained. I suppose the word five was omitted in the copy sent to the Department. I now forward the correct voucher which I hope will set this part of the acct. right.
5. 16 I have got the duplicate voucher witnessed+ also forward it to you, which I hope will be found correct.

   I feel assured that with the above explanations the whole can be easily arranged but should any further information be necessary from me please inform me – + it shall be attended to promptly.

I have the honor to be
Yours etc.
Thos Johnson

Hon Luke Lea Com. Ind. Affrs.

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[Transcribed from National Archives microfilm Series M234, roll 786, frames 428-429 by Roger Berg Jr., April, 1992]