Report-1853, August 29

Transcribed report on the activities of the Indian Manual Labor School Thomas Johnson, Superintendent Manual Labor School to Major B.F. Robison U. S. Indian Agent dated Aug 29, 1853

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Ind. M.L. School
August 29th 1853

Sir

   In compliance with instructions, I have the honor to submit the following remarks together with the accompanying statistical documents as my report for the last year.

   In consequence of a great many orphan children—whose parents died among the Shawnees—having been left without home or friends to care for them we permitted our school to be crowded more than we normally do during the winter season+ indeed the desire for education is growing every year among the surrounding tribes so that instead of having to go and hunt them up as we did in former years and persuaded them to come to school, they now come of their own accord and beg admittance. This is as it should be and gives us a much better opportunity to control them than we had before. The prospect is favorable for as many as we can take care of for the next session. We have had but little sickness and only one death during the past year for which we are thankful to the Author of all good.

   Our crops and fruits are abundant and the same may be said for the tribes generally around us. We live in a delightful country, and nothing seems to be wanting to make these people prosperous and happy but industrious habits and suitable laws for the protection of persons and property. As for industry I think they are gaining a little. But as for these fragments of tribes ever introducing and executing suitable laws for their own protection and prosperity, I have lost all hope, as gloomy as the thought may be; but I am forced to the conclusion that as separate tribes, they must in a few years pass away.

   The only hope is for the few who may become identified with the white population, and take their position in the walks of civilized society. Having written so frequently on this subject I deem it unnecessary to add anything more.

Respectfully submitted
Thos Johnson Supt

Maj. B.F. Robison
U.S. Indian Agent

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[Transcribed from Microfilm# MS632 (Pratt papers) Frames 613 and 614 in the collections of the Kansas State Historical Society by Roger Berg Jr. April 1991; also the Annual Report of Board of Missions, Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Copy in MSS. Dept., K.S.H.S.]