Report-1858, March 31

Transcribed report on the activities of the Indian Manual Labor School Thomas Johnson, Superintendent Manual Labor School to Charles E. Mix, Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs dated Mar 31, 1858

Shawnee M.L. School K.T.
March 31st 1858

Sir,

   As the contract of the 5th of March 1855 requires that we should report semi annually the number of scholars in our school their progress and the condition of the school generally, I deem this the proper time to make a statement of the condition of the school for the past six months.

   We have had during this time thirty two Shawnee children in school being a considerable falling off from the previous six months. This is to be accounted for in several ways the most probable of which is that the Shawnees within the last year have had their land set apart to them separately and necessarily brought a great influx of whites amongst them and so completely surrounded them in a novel atmosphere that they have neglected that which is the most important to their welfare the education of their children.

   It is to be hoped that this will soon be remedied all ready the question has been raised in their council why that they are so backward in sending their children to school. Ambition if nothing else may arouse them from their seeming lethargy to rank equal if not to excel their white neighbors.

   The health of the school has been good no deaths and very little sickness. The children have improved as much as usual in their studies and general advancement. All of which is

Respectfully submitted
Thos Johnson Supt
S.M.L. School

Hon Charles E. Mix
Acting Commr of Ind. Affairs
Washington City D.C.

[Transcribed from National Archives microfilm series M234, roll 791, frames 196-197 by Roger Berg Jr., March, 1992]