Jane Johnston Schoolcraft Letter to Madam Patterson

Note: Words enclosed in [brackets] are possibly incorrect. This transcription has not been confirmed and may contain flaws and inaccuracies.

My Dearest Madam,
Your extreme kindness & hospitality during my stay at your splendid & never to be forgotten [?] home gives me courage to take the liberty to express my gratitude to you and yours. I regretted [exceeding] by the providence that prevented my not [seeing] you whilst I remained the short time I did in Philadelphia on my return from Washington. I had a great deal to mention to your friendly ear, but I [trust] to be [shared] to see you & your lovely family once more, we called at your house but found you had all gone out. I have however left a substitute in my little daughter who will I trust prove deserving of your occasional notice, we are now [situated] in agreeable lodging at No. 62 Greenwich, where I propose to [divert] my mind by [assisting] [Mr. J] in writing a dictionary & grammar of my native algic & tales of the Ojibway Nation. Should he [sail] as is now [intended] to England I think I should profess remaining near my dear little ones whilst he is gone. O! dear Mrs. P you can hardly conceive how great a trial it was to part with my poor children as they never were absent from me more than a few days since their birth & not having any others near me to lavish the overflowing of a mothers foolish fond, heart, I have indeed been at times a sad picture of forlornness, but I know it is for their good & I strive to feel reconciled. My greatest anxiety is about my little boy, he is a mere child & has been accustomed to a mother’s kind care & going amidst 40 other boys, utter strangers to him, & missing the comforts of home, he must feel sadly, till he gets accustomed to the mode of treatment at school, as to my Janee I feel little anxiety in comparison, as she among friends, & in the best of schools for a girl of her age – I shall always think of Philadelphia as a sacred blessed spot, & if prayers & best wishes can avail, you dearest Madam, have mine . Please remember [us] with much respect to the General & most affectionately to the rest of your amiable intelligent family, not forgetting your [estimable/esteemable] sister & her family, together with the kind ladies who honored me with a call, & pray accepts dear Madam, for yourself the regard & esteem of yours ever
Grateful,
Jane Schoolcraft