Alexander Hamilton Papers

From Alexander Hamilton to Major James McHenry, [16–20 December 1780]

To Major James McHenry

[Albany, December 16–20, 1780]1

I thank you Dear Mac for your poetry and your confidence. The piece is a good one—your best. It has wit, which you know is a rare thing. I see by perseverence all ladies may be won. The Muses begin to be civil to you, in spite of Apollo and my prognosis.

You know I have often told you, you wrote prose well but had no genius for poetry. I retract.

Adieu.

A. Hamilton.

Steiner, James McHenry description begins Bernard C. Steiner, The Life and Correspondence of James McHenry (Cleveland, 1907). description ends , 30–31.

1Steiner, after stating that H was married in September, 1780, incorrectly dates this letter September 12, 1780.

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