West Point
Dear Father,
I received your letter for the 22d. inst., you complained of my short letters. I think we are about even on that item. I write so often once a week. I can not make out a very long letter.
I have written a letter to Mother which I will send in this mail. I spoke to her about a Christmas box. I hope you all will think favorably of the plan. There is only a month to get it ready.
I hope you will excuse my short letter this time since I have written another long one home.
Your Affectionate Son,
Malcolm McArthur
Malcolm McArthur to his father, Arthur McArthur [McArthur Family Papers]