Alexander Hamilton letter stolen by ‘kleptomaniacal cataloguer’ returned to Massachusetts archives

The Massachusetts state archives has recovered a letter written by Alexander Hamilton that was stolen by a “kleptomaniacal cataloguer” decades ago.

Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin celebrated the return of the letter Tuesday, saying the “historical treasure belongs to the people,” The Associated Press reported.

The letter got returned after a ruling from a federal appeals court.

The letter was written by Hamilton to Continental Army Gen. Marquis de Lafayette, a French aristocrat, on July 12, 1780, according to the AP. 

The “kleptomaniacal cataloguer” stole the letter from the archives between 1938 and 1945, the court said. 

The court said the letter was a catalyst for Massachusetts sending troops to Rhode Island, the AP noted. 

The Hill has reached out to Galvin’s office for comment.