From Alexander Hamilton to Margarita Schuyler, [21 January 1781]
To Margarita Schuyler1
[New Windsor, New York, 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.2 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.
AL, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. This letter is in the form of a postscript to a letter of the same date which Elizabeth Hamilton wrote to her sister. In the course of her letter Elizabeth wrote: “I am the happiest of Woman; my dear Hamilton is fonder of me every day; get married, I charge you.”
2. This sentence originally read as follows: “The conclusion of the sentence would carry me too far; I trust the rest of your fancy.” The words, “would carry me too far” and “the rest,” were then crossed out either by H or by some one else at a later date.