Report-1854, August 3 (B)

Transcribed explanatory remarks for the continuation of the Indian Manual Labor School by Thomas Johnson, Superintendent Manual Labor School to Geo W. Manypenny, Commissioner of Indian Affairs dated Aug 3, 1854

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[Aug 3, 1854]

A few explanatory remarks

   1st The Shawnee school is the only one that we propose continuing in Kansas Territory – Our contracts at this school heretofore have been for $2500 from the civilization fund + from the Delaware school fund $2772.38. We now propose that this Delaware school be employed in their own Nation+ that it be increased as the late treaty provides for,+ I would respectfully suggest that it can be most economically employed in connection with the Baptist Board of Missions, as they have a good school there now + can with but little additional expense have room for all the Delaware children.

   Our Society cannot constantly employ any part of the Delaware funds, because we have no suitable buildings in that Nation+ if we had we should not be in favor of dividing the school funds in these small tribes.

   2nd We have a contract for the Kansas school fund of $2500 We wish this contract cancelled as soon as it will suit the Government to do so which I suppose can be done next winter, should you make a treaty with that tribe, for they will most likely be placed in the neighborhood of the Osages, where the Catholics have a very good school, + in that event, the Kansas funds can be best employed at that school; so you will perceive that if these arrangements should be made as I suggested + you think proper to accept the propositions submitted today, our society will then have a less amount of the school funds from the Government by 272.38 than we have had heretofore + I suppose a less amount than any other benevolent society operating in the territories of Kansas + Nebraska – for the Catholics will have the school funds of the Quapaws, Osages, Kansas+ half of the Pottawatomies, amounting to about $11,500 – the Baptists will have half the Pottawatomie fund, the Miami, the Peoria+ Delaware funds amounting to about$ 14,500 – the Presbyterians will have the funds of the Kickapoos, Iowas, Otoes + Omahas, amounting to not less than $ 10,000, while our Society will only have$ 7,500. But it will not be convenient for our Society to employ any portion of these other funds, except what I have proposed, + should you think it best not to accept the propositions I have made + let us out entirely, we shall not complain

Yours with Great Respect
Thos Johnson

Hon: Geo. W. Manypenny
Comr
Indian Affairs
August 3rd 1854

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[Transcribed from National Archives microfilm series M234, roll 787, frames 353-355 by Roger Berg Jr., Jan 1993]