FFQF: The Humor of Alexander Hamilton (or, of James McHenry!)
Over the past several months, we have cracked open the dusty tomes of the Founding Fathers’ writings, and searched for their wise advice on such subjects as liberty, virtue, and the means of their support. These subjects have lead us to reflect, often with great heaviness, on our nation’s failings, and to the current situation to which it has brought us. These reflections, and often our forebodings, can make us gloomy and sad. And at this time of year, when the weather (especially here in Upstate New York) cannot make up its mind whether to be warm or cold, our moods can take a rather gloomy downturn. So, I’ve decided that for this month, the theme ought to draw out laughter, not furrowed brows.
Now, if you ever got the impression, looking at the solemn faces of the Founding Fathers’ portraits that hung in your schoolroom (ah, this would only apply to those of you who went to public school many years ago), that they were dull fuddy-duddies with grimaced faces and powdered wigs, who never laughed, think again! Quite some characters were our Founding Fathers, and even the most solemn and somber of them (like George Washington) knew how to laugh at their own jokes — which is why the Founders and I have so much in common!
As I intend to illustrate this month, even the most unlikely of them were quite funny at times. The title of my post here should have indicated that — you probably never thought of Alexander Hamilton and James McHenry being funny now, did you? Keep reading — this isn’t April Fools Day!
When both of these men, later to become Framers and signers of the US Constitution, were serving side-by-side during the Revolutionary War as aide-de-camps to General Washington, they toiled day and night at their desks, managing correspondence, espionage, and other important paperwork. Young and energetic men like them often got restless, and Hamilton made it clear to everyone that he disliked his occupation (although he put his absolute best into it, as he did in everything), though he was Washington’s favorite aide-de-camp.
So even though the work was dull and dreary, they found time to amuse themselves. Hamilton wrote in a letter to his best friend, Lieutenant-Colonel John Laurens (son of Henry Laurens, president of the Continental Congress; a fellow aide-de-camp) of their amusements at Headquarters:
Harrison, McHenry, Gibbs put in mind of the place you have in their hearts. Mc.Henry would write to you; but besides public business he pleads his being engaged in writing a heroic Poem of which the family are the subject. You will have your part in it. He celebrates our usual matin entertainment, and the music of those fine sounds, with which he and I are accustomed to regale the ears of the fraternity.
Harrison holds a distinguished place in the piece. His sedentary exploits are sung in strains of laborious dulness [sic]. The many breeches he has worn out during the war are enumerated, nor are the depredations which long sitting has made on his [blank in original manuscript] unsung.
If fine print had been in use in those days, Hamilton probably would have used it to write the next little note:
I think it necessary for the credit of my own wit to tell you that I have borrowed the wit of the present collation from Mc.Henry.
To Lt. Col. John Laurens May 22nd 1779 (Papers of Alexander Hamilton, volume 2, pp. 53-54)
*Gasp!* Hamilton, you plagiarist!
Well, “boring Founding Fathers” myth abolished! Another “herculean” episode successfully triumphs over revisionism!! LOL.
4 Responses to “FFQF: The Humor of Alexander Hamilton (or, of James McHenry!)”
January 2nd, 2009 at 5:02 pm
It sounds all the mosr hilarious when read aloud, in an aristocratic, pseudo-British accented voice.
LOL! That Hamilton had razor-sharp wit. Like a paper cut, sometimes you could countinue reading before you realized how sharp he was being!
Great quote! I look forward to more!
January 2nd, 2009 at 5:17 pm
LOL, you’re right, Mrs. M! I enjoy doing it at home.
Thanks for reading and leaving your comment.
I can’t wait to post more! This month is going to be fun!
Happy FFQF!
January 5th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Okay, Herky, it’s time for my confession – I don’t think it’s funny. I mean, I understand what he’s saying, and it’s kinda cute, I suppose, but it just doesn’t strike my funny bone. There, my secret has been exposed.
I think maybe I have a funny-bone defect – I don’t think Monty Python is funny, either.
January 5th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Ah! I see. But here is a confession from me in return: I suppose I am easily amused. (My family sure says I am. Maybe it was just my funny semi-British accent …)
Oh, and another confession … I have no idea what Monty Python is. I guess I am ultra-non-culturized. Although, my guess is, that if I knew what it was, I wouldn’t think it was funny either.
Oh well. I’m sure I’ll manage to get a chuckle out of a lady with a non-ticklish funny-bone. Somehow. Hee.
Well, Mrs. Mecomber submitted her entry. Maybe she has the key.
Hope to see around.
Your humble servt.
Herky
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