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Page 77

That the Academy had at least one law student in 1835 is shown by a letter to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs from John Jones: "I have been busy reading law since the government has made an appropriation to aid me...I have not yet made a sufficient progress...to enable me to go in business: and I find by information which Col. R. M. Johnson gave me that the term was only two years, and which will expire next January...I anxiously and gratefully solicit the government that the term might be continued to two years longer, for I am very desirous to go through a regular course in the study...that if the appropriation is not extended that my object in view will be entirely frustrated ..." Johnson adds that "Mr. Jones is a very worthy young man & very promising...I should be very glad if the request...could be extended as he wishes and if that cannot be done to extend it one year more."¹²

The superintendent and inspectors formulated rules to govern the workshops from and after May 1, 1835, agreeably to instructions from the War Department dated March 7, 1835. No student was to be compelled to labor in any of the shops, or learn a trade except by his own free choice, or by special directions of his parents.

The superintendent was to procure all materials and suitable instructors on the best possible terms and a set of double entry books was to be kept showing purchases and sales. "The workmen employed...shall not only be decent Men of Sober and steady habits, but well skilled in the particular Arts of their respective professions.

"The net proceeds of the Shops (after paying all the debts thereof) shall be divided among the boys who perform labor...a part of which shall be given to them dur-

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ing their stay at the Academy; and the balance on leaving school."

Armstrong, the Choctaw agent wrote Herring, July 18, 1835 that he had collected ten Choctaw boys and put them under the charge of John Millard who was to start for Kentucky the next day. Two of the districts refused to allow their boys to go and the other sent only four. Mr. Millard "was sent over Red river, and the fact of his being acquainted with the Indians enabled him to succeed in picking up the number by taking several very large boys, but it was the best that could be done.

"My duty requires me frankly to state that unless something is done, they will refuse before long to send their children at all, because they consider the promises and arrangements heretofore made, with Colonel Johnson, have not been complied with...Again the boys that return from the Academy, continue to give such awful accounts of it, that it must fail unless an effort is made to conciliate these people...These people have their prejudices; and they have their rights; and there are very many among them who know them; and will not be neglected..."

At this time there were 166 pupils and the inspectors report (July 30 and 31, 1835) that those who are devoting a part of their time to the mechanical arts are making considerable progress. A shop had been opened for making shoes; one for wagon making; a tailor shop and black smith shop where those trades were taught by competent persons who were paid a fixed salary: "... after paying this & the cost of the materials & incidental expenses, the entire profits of the shops are divided among the students for their sole benefit, to supply them with any reasonable extra sums for extra accomodations of clothing & to enable them at the close of their education to carry with them a surplus fund home to enable them to purchase books, and the tools & instruments for their trade..."

The report of Dr. Edward L. Branham to the trustees of the Academy in November 1835, is a quaint document "...The health of the boys has for the last three months been as good if not better than experienced

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the last twelve months...I have viewed with feelings of complacency the gentlemanly deportment, cleanliness, and total abstainance of the boys from everything that would have a tendency to debilitate the system, impair the constitution, and render them unhappy subjects on earth...

"Everything that is necessary to make them comfortable is amply and bountifully supplied by their great progenitors to whom they are indebted for preservation, and civilization in those arts and sciences now understood and practiced by them honor is reflected on the names of Two venerable patriots who have conducted their institution in such a mysterious and unparaluled manner..."

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Upon the occasion of the 1835 autumn inspection "...the whole school was marched out and formed in one line for inspection—They had just recd. their winter clothing and were in fine health, which gave them a most interesting appearance..."¹³

Mr. Henderson writes his patron Vice President Johnson, April 1, 1836, "I have dismissed Lewis Calvin and shall send home the following Boys with him who have not behaved well and appear anxious to return with Calvin—viz Lewis Calvin, John Wade, Simon Wade, Daniel Miller, James McGilby, Lewis Dodge and Thomas Brainard all Choctaws...I have just put down on the list two Boys less from the Chickasaws as Mr. Love has sent for his two sons [John B. and Overton Love] and I think I had better let them go..."

The Academy was in a flourishing condition April 1, 1836, having none on the sick list and " ...The morals of the youths...are made a subject of our highest regard and constant attention..." There were 154 Indian pupils. The tribes, names and ages follow:

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