Resolution-1858, November 24

Nov. 24, 1858

   The Meeting of the Joint Committee appointed on the one part by the Council of the Shawnee Nation, & on the other part by the Kansas Mission Conference in behalf of the Missionary Board of the M. E. Church South, in order to investigate the condition of the Shawnee M. L. School & to devise a plan for securing more fully the objects contemplated in the establishment of said School; was held at Mr. S. Cornatzer’s on the 24th of Nov. 1858.

   The meeting was organized by appointing Mr. S. Cornatzer Chairman & N. Scarritt Secretary.

   Members present; S. Cornetzer, Wm. Barbee, Levi Flint, Wm. Bradford, N. Scarritt & C. Bluejacket. After much discussion & mature deliberation the following preamble & resolutions were adopted as the report of theCommittee.

The Joint Committee

   appointed on the one part by the Shawnee Council, and on the other part by the Kansas Mission Conference of the M. E. Church South, to investigate the condition of the Shawnee M. L. School & to devise measures to secure more fully the object of said school; beg leave to submit the following as their Report.

Preamble and Resolutions

   Whereas, The object contemplated in the establishment of the Shawnee M. L. School and also in the late Contract between the Missionary Society of the aforesaid church and the Government of the United States, was to make said school a large central School tor the education of all the Shawnee children, tor which purpose the Shawnee School fund was appropriated for its support;

   And Whereas, from unforeseen causes, not now necessary to be detailed, the Shawnees have failed to send their children to said school, and the School consequently, has failed to realize  the object  contemplated;

   And Whereas, it is believed that in view of the aforesaid facts and of the present changed state of the Shawnees, some change is required in the plan hitherto adopted for the education of the Shawnee children;

   And Whereas, in the aforesaid contract, though it has several more years to run, there is an express provision that said contract may be closed at any time at the option of the Government,

   Therefore  be it resolved by this joint committee, That, for the reasons set forth in the above preamble, we recommend to the Government of the United States, the propriety of closing the  aforesaid contract at the expiration of the present scholastic year.

   Your Committee, looking to some plan by which the object in the premises may be secured:— Viz. The education of the Shawnee Children,— beg leave further to report:—

   As District Schools are being established among the Shawnee settlements, to which some of the Shawnees desire to send their children; and as others desire to send to select schools and high schools, both within and without the Territory:— We recommend that, in case, the aforesaid contract shall be closed, the Annuity now belonging to the Shawnees & set apart for School purposes be appropriated in the following manner; viz.

1. That the said fund be placed in the hands of a Commissioner appointed by the Government of the United States who shall give bond and security for the faithful discharge of his duty.
2. That each parent or guardian have the privilege of sending his children or wards to whatever school may best suit his convenience, of whatever order or wherever located such school may be.
3. That whenever such parent or guardian shall present to said Commissioner, a bill from the Principal of any of the aforesaid schools, for the tuition of his child or ward, with a voucher from at least two reliable persons testifying that said tuition is due according to the rules and :regulations of said school, then said Commissioner shall pay to the said Principal the said tuition out of the aforesaid fund.
4. That at the end of each year, all that part of the aforesa1d annuity which remains unexpended for school purposes be added to the principal of the Shawnee school fund.

[Photostat copy in MSS. Dept. K.S.H.S.]