P. J.E.R.

Department of the Interior,

BUREAU OF EDUCATION,

Washington, D. C.,

February 13, 1983.

Capt. R. H. Pratt,
Carlisle Barracks, Pa.

My dear Sir:

Our superintendents have placed your topic upon their programme, asking for 20 minutes from you and 20 minutes from Gen. Armstrong. You will know how to supplement each other. What can you bring to speak to the eye as well as the ear?

Very truly yours,

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

Bureau of Education,
Washington, D. C.,

Nov. 13, 1984.

P.

I. N. W.

Private and Personal.

Capt. R. H. Pratt,

Supt. United States Indian School,
Carlisle, Pa.

Dear Sir:

I have just come from Commissioner Butterworths.

He is troubled by the very large demand for the Indian exhibit
and says that it is impossible to grant it and that he has tele-
graphed you for items. He says he does not control money for
the exhibition of the Smithsonian. I see the line on which you
need to work, the exhibition of evidences of progress in Indian
education and Indian civilization, and let me add, whatever you get
however small, go ahead and do the best you can, getting such
private aid as you may and patching up expenses from all the proper
available sources.

Very sincerely yours,

December 12, 1890.

Captain R.H.Pratt,
Supt. Indian Industrial School,
Carlisle, Pa.

Dear Sir:

Yours reached me here. Ah, my dear Captain, don't mistake my position
with regard to the national schools. No one more heartily or more thoroughly
sustains them, but there was a time when they did not deserve support on account
of their merits. That time is passing away. You are leading them into the
Promised Land. We must not antagonize the Protestant Contract Schools too soon.
We must work the whole field, keep all agencies of improvement active, pressing
to the front the Government schools until their number, capacity and merit will
provide for all Indian children, and do the work so well and thoroughly as to win
the hearty and cordial support of an indifferent, and perhaps hostile public.
Yes, we appreciate the fifty thousand only we want a number more of such gifts.
We are finishing up the papers for Sam Townsend.

THE CONCORD,

Washington, D. C., Sept. 30th, 1896.

My Dear Captain:--

I am watching your work with the greatest interest, and take the liberty to introduce by this the bearer, Professor Samuel Jeffrey, Superintendent of the Ashville Farm School, North Carolina. He is undertaking a work of special importance to the highlanders of the South. He visits your school to gain what lessons he may for his own assistance. He has had rare opportunities and has rare attainments as a scientific farmer. He is a graduate of Cornell University and has been manager of its agricultural station. He will heartily appreciate any courtesy you can render him.

GEN. JOHN EATON, LL. D., PRESIDENT.
WASHINGTON, D. C.

REV. R. G. MCNIECE, D. D.,
DEAN OF THE FACULTY.

SHELDON JACKSON COLLEGE,
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

REV. THOS. GORDON, D. D., FINANCIAL AGENT,
620 F ST., N. W.,
WASHINGTON, D. C.

The Concord.

April 26, 1900.

Major R. H. Pratt,

My dear Major:--After calling the second time on Miss Agnes,
I learned of your sickness in Philadelphia. This is very painful
for you and your friends. I hope you are already better. I think
you made a great mistake not to come here and take the treatment
your system required. It would not only have done your rhuma-
tism good, but also your digestion. I have no doubt that your mind
is crowded with business and I wish you were here where I could

talk to you freely. I realize how ardently your mind is devo-
ted to the vindication of the Indian as a man. Your investment in
the band is large, but I believe there is evidence already from x
what has been done that your plans can succeed. I think with re-
ference to music that you have got to modify it sufficiently to
bring the crowd to hear, not by sacrificing your principle by any
means. The speaking of the Indian Girl was made so very realistic
by her dress. It appeared to be max the contrast. You want some-
thing of this contrast to make their attainment in music effec-
tive. You take the Indian pictures as they come and show their
improvement by taking the pictures of the same persons later. Do
the same thing in a sense, with the music and I believe you will be
sure of the money. I write you once about the several directions

SHELDON JACKSON COLLEGE,

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

-2-

in which the Indian music excells; I mean by modifications not only
introduced in the playing of the Band those Indian airs to a lim-
ited Indian, but I mean give up one or more Indians and introduce
a specimen of the Tom Tom. This would set off and illustrate the
improvement which you have made and a few words would tell the
audience. I was uneasy about the Vaudeville Association, but as I
followed the matter more closely, I saw that you had not made a
mistake. Hoping that you are much better and that this reference &
to business may not disturb you, I am, as ever,

THE CONCORD,
Washington, D. C., Jan. 24, 1903.

My dear Col.:

My conversation with the Gen. was of an old friendly charac-
ter in which we differed of course with regard to titles but in
which his advice to you and the school was heartily recognized,
but no information was given by me and no indication that I had any
direct news from you but I based my talk on information which he
gave and the facts which were known to all by the legislation of
Congress. The only thought of anything that remained was that Mr.
Sherman might have some influence when he comes but that has passed
Mothign will be tempted. I hope members of Congress will yet see
it possible to attend your commencement. You will indeed have a
good time. I want my daughter to go up to prepare to carry the
inspiration of the school to the Navahoes.

" The Concord "

June 4th, 1904

Honorable W. H. Taft
Secretary of War.

My dear Sir:--

I congratulate you on your co-operation with the
President in bringing about the promotion of General R. H.
Pratt. I have known General Pratt since he first began his
services among the Indians, when sent to take charge of the
prisoners in Florida. He has been on the fighting line
of a reformed Indian service for many years, and often in
the midst of much contention, but I believe he has done ex-
cellent work, and will vindicate the promotion the President
gives him. It will not do any harm to kepp up the as-
pirations of the many army officers-- I do not know how ma-
ny-- now in the Indian service.

I am, with high regard

" The Concord "

September 1st, 1904

General R. H. Pratt

My dear General:

I can hardly tell you what pleasure it gives me to
receive your letter,-- to know what you have done since you
left Carlisle and what you and your family are planning to do.
We remember you with deep interest, and I certainly hope your
work for the Indian is not done yet.

I was pained that the unnecessary infelicities connected
with your removal should have occurred, and especially grieved
that Secretary Taft was called upon to take any responsibility in reference to it. I was pleased, however, that he gave
you the merited promotion on which you could retire with some
degree of satisfaction.

My wife and daughter wish to be remembered to you and the
members of your family.

I am interested in a correspondence which may come a -

I am interested in a correspondence which may come to -

members of your family.

My wife and daughter wish to be remembered to Mom and the
degree of affiliation.

You the mentioned promotion on which you could retire with some
in reference to it. I was pleased, however, that he gave
that Secretary. I felt so called when to take any reasonable
with your removal should have occurred, and especially arrived
be having been at the unnecessary inefficiencies connected
work for the Indian is not done yet.

We remember you with deep interest, and I certainly hope you
will continue to be with us until you are done with us.
I can hardly tell you what pleasure it gives me to
receive your letter, to know what you have done since you
left California, and your family are planning to do.
I know you will be very happy with them, and I am sure you
will receive your letter, to know what we have done since you
left your family, and to know what you have done since you
left your home.

round to effect you. I made a mistake last year.

Your Chataquua address has been carefully read to me by
Miss Mason, and it should be published separately and circula-
ted for the sake of the cause. It has in it much of perma-
nent value.

With best wishes, sincerely yours

" The Congress of America, 1904