Alexander Hamilton on Happy Marriages, 1781
The pleasures of the married state by W. Proud, 1770 and 1789. (Library of Congress)
This letter from Alexander Hamilton to his sister-in-law Peggy is a postscript to a letter from Elizabeth Hamilton to Peggy written on January 21, 1781. In the letter, Elizabeth describes the happiness that marriage has brought to her: “I am the happiest of Woman; my dear Hamilton is fonder of me every day; get married, I charge you.”
Hamilton, in his turn, praises a happy domestic situation but warns Peggy to be careful in her choice of a husband.
A Letter from Alexander Hamilton to Margarita (Peggy) Schuyler, January 21, 1781
Because your sister has the talent of growing more amiable every day, or because I am a fanatic in love, or both—or if you prefer another interpretation, because I have address enough to be a good dissembler, she fancies herself the happiest woman in the world, and would need persuade all her friends to embark with her in the matrimonial voyage. But I pray you do not let her advice have so much influence as to make you matrimony-mad. ’Tis a very good thing when their stars unite two people who are fit for each other, who have souls capable of relishing the sweets of friendship, and sensibilities. The conclusion of the sentence I trust to your fancy. But its a dog of life when two dissonant tempers meet, and ’tis ten to one but this is the case. When therefore I join her in advising you to marry, I add be cautious in the choice. Get a man of sense, not ugly enough to be pointed at—with some good-nature—a few grains of feeling—a little taste—a little imagination—and above all a good deal of decision to keep you in order; for that I foresee will be no easy task. If you can find one with all these qualities, willing to marry you, marry him as soon as you please. I must tell you in confidence that I think I have been very fortunate.
Source: Alexander Hamilton to Margarita Schuyler, [January 21, 1781], Founders Online, National Archives. Original source: The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. 2, 1779–1781, ed. Harold C. Syrett. New York: Columbia University Press, 1961, pp. 539–540.
A Letter from Alexander Hamilton to Margarita (Peggy) Schuyler, January 21, 1781
Because your sister has the talent of growing more amiable every day, or because I am a fanatic in love, or both — or if you prefer another interpretation, because I have address enough to be a good dissembler, she fancies herself the happiest woman in the world, and would need persuade all her friends to embark with her in the matrimonial voyage. But I pray you do not let her advice have so much influence as to make you matrimony-mad. ’Tis a very good thing when their stars unite two people who are fit for each other, who have souls capable of relishing the sweets of friendship, and sensibilities. The conclusion of the sentence I trust to your fancy. But its a dog of life when two dissonant tempers meet, and ’tis ten to one but this is the case. When therefore I join her in advising you to marry, I add be cautious in the choice. Get a man of sense, not ugly enough to be pointed at—with some good-nature—a few grains of feeling—a little taste—a little imagination—and above all a good deal of decision to keep you in order; for that I foresee will be no easy task. If you can find one with all these qualities, willing to marry you, marry him as soon as you please.
I must tell you in confidence that I think I have been very fortunate.
Source: Alexander Hamilton to Margarita Schuyler, [January 21, 1781], Founders Online, National Archives. Original source: The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. 2, 1779–1781, ed. Harold C. Syrett. New York: Columbia University Press, 1961, pp. 539–540.
Background
This letter from Alexander Hamilton to his sister-in-law Peggy is a postscript to a letter from Elizabeth Hamilton to Peggy written on January 21, 1781. In the letter, Elizabeth describes the happiness that marriage has brought to her: “I am the happiest of Woman; my dear Hamilton is fonder of me every day; get married, I charge you.”
Hamilton, in his turn, praises a happy domestic situation but warns Peggy to be careful in her choice of a husband.
Transcript
A Letter from Alexander Hamilton to Margarita (Peggy) Schuyler, January 21, 1781
Because your sister has the talent of growing more amiable every day, or because I am a fanatic in love, or both—or if you prefer another interpretation, because I have address enough to be a good dissembler, she fancies herself the happiest woman in the world, and would need persuade all her friends to embark with her in the matrimonial voyage. But I pray you do not let her advice have so much influence as to make you matrimony-mad. ’Tis a very good thing when their stars unite two people who are fit for each other, who have souls capable of relishing the sweets of friendship, and sensibilities. The conclusion of the sentence I trust to your fancy. But its a dog of life when two dissonant tempers meet, and ’tis ten to one but this is the case. When therefore I join her in advising you to marry, I add be cautious in the choice. Get a man of sense, not ugly enough to be pointed at—with some good-nature—a few grains of feeling—a little taste—a little imagination—and above all a good deal of decision to keep you in order; for that I foresee will be no easy task. If you can find one with all these qualities, willing to marry you, marry him as soon as you please. I must tell you in confidence that I think I have been very fortunate.
Source: Alexander Hamilton to Margarita Schuyler, [January 21, 1781], Founders Online, National Archives. Original source: The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. 2, 1779–1781, ed. Harold C. Syrett. New York: Columbia University Press, 1961, pp. 539–540.
Excerpt
A Letter from Alexander Hamilton to Margarita (Peggy) Schuyler, January 21, 1781
Because your sister has the talent of growing more amiable every day, or because I am a fanatic in love, or both — or if you prefer another interpretation, because I have address enough to be a good dissembler, she fancies herself the happiest woman in the world, and would need persuade all her friends to embark with her in the matrimonial voyage. But I pray you do not let her advice have so much influence as to make you matrimony-mad. ’Tis a very good thing when their stars unite two people who are fit for each other, who have souls capable of relishing the sweets of friendship, and sensibilities. The conclusion of the sentence I trust to your fancy. But its a dog of life when two dissonant tempers meet, and ’tis ten to one but this is the case. When therefore I join her in advising you to marry, I add be cautious in the choice. Get a man of sense, not ugly enough to be pointed at—with some good-nature—a few grains of feeling—a little taste—a little imagination—and above all a good deal of decision to keep you in order; for that I foresee will be no easy task. If you can find one with all these qualities, willing to marry you, marry him as soon as you please.
I must tell you in confidence that I think I have been very fortunate.
Source: Alexander Hamilton to Margarita Schuyler, [January 21, 1781], Founders Online, National Archives. Original source: The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. 2, 1779–1781, ed. Harold C. Syrett. New York: Columbia University Press, 1961, pp. 539–540.
