January , 1921
My dearest Lady:
I have delayed writing for a much longer time than I deemed possible because I have been waiting to collect the insurance on those broken slides which the same was an abominable performance. The man who packed them was able to show [that] out of five hundred shipments similarly packed, only two claims for breakage had been filed. They were of course insured for twenty five dollars, and your estimate places the loss at twenty two, so we are proceeding to collect that amount. I started to write a check to [forward] it to you at once, but learned that you would have to sign a formal complaint, and also a receipt, for the insurance company, so that it seemed [page 2] better to do it that way. I am sorry for this delay and annoyance, but am sure that the money will be finally collected. We did not discover the slides until so late that we could find no one going directly to New York, and we felt quite [confident] that a professional shipper would know how to send them safely.
I, too, was fearfully disappointed not to see you in New York, but it seemed utterly impossible to get away, and so I most reluctantly postponed our [talk], until I could see you in England. I am not sure that I could have elucidated the American situation, which like all the rest of the world has been somewhat abnormal since the War. We should probably have spent all of our time talking about the Irish Commission, and I am sure I should have made you see that we are not approaching it in any spirit of criticism of England, but quite the reverse; that we are trying [page 3] to get out the [knots] whatever they may be, and to lift the whole subject out of the bitter propaganda which is now being carried on so cleverly and so constantly against England. I am sending you the first official statement of the Executive Committee, which I am sure does not confirm your first impression of us.
I have seen Mr Rosenwald once or twice, but have rather [steered?] off from the subject of the Institute because I did not wish him to say no, as he seemed a little inclined to do. I am going to have a comfortable talk with him next week, and shall write you after that. I am sure you know how sorry I am for your disappointment. America ought to have helped you there, and maybe something will happen yet, who can tell. Certainly your friends over here do not mean to be idle. Please give my affectionate greetings to Miss [Paterson], and as for you you know I am always, ↑dearest of friends↓
Devotedly yours,
Jane Addams. [signed]
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