[Stephen Higgenson Jr Boston April 7. 1790 rec'd the 17^th not answered or does it require one] Boston April 7. 1790 Sir I received your obliging letter by the last post, & thank you for your friendly intentions both as to me & my Son John. I had no expectation, nor did I ever wish, that the established rules of rank &c should be infringed to benefit John. All I aimed at was to secure to him that grade, which he would obtain by a personal application, in virtue of his former Commission. if a company could in that way fall to his lot, it would be very agreeable; but if not, he must be content with a lower grade. The same post that handed me your, brought me also a letter from him, in which he requests me to apply for a Commission for him, having some how heard, that a new Corps was to be raised. All I wish is, that he may have as eligible a Station, as the rules in such cases will admit of.—— The Sentiments you express, as to the future prospects of our Country are very natural, when judging by the past, & reasoning from analogy. in that view of the subject, there appears too much reason to fear yet further fluctuations, if not changes, in the temper & dispositions of the people toward the Government of the Union. But it appears to me, that as great attention in the habits & feelings of the people has taken place for the better; & that many new circumstances have arisen, tending to increase the force & respectability of Government, & to give a strong impression of the necessity of its being supported.—— Habits of industry & frugality are taking place of those of luxury & dissipation, more generally, & with more celerity than I expected. It is a growing Idea, that the manners contracted during the War must be done away; & that every class of citizens must expect only to thrive by the means commonly successful in a time of peace.—— With such Sentiments impressed on the minds of the body of the people, & the advantages they will derive soon from the System proposed by the Secretary of the treasury, & from some general commercial Arrangements, which may soon be expected, the situation of individuals, will become more easy & light, & private happiness, more generally enjoyed. from the same causes, I expect, the Government will be gradually encreased in its energy & dignity, & will daily extend its protection and blessings.—— The public mind, to judge from this part of the Union, has kept pace with the times; & has been prepared, with wonderful sweep & facility, for new Events; there seems to be a general conviction, that the Union must be supported, as the alone Source of national Security, & that every burthen necessary to the Object must be cheerfully borne.—— If the Secretary's Report should be adopted, Government will receive a very great addition of Strength, by the joint support of all classes of public creditors; & will also be possessed, exclusively, of very ample Sources of revenue, except direct taxation. This indirectly revenue will remains to the States; &, by its operation, will produce an effect favorable to the Union.—— in short the Government of the Union seems now to have abjur'd its past. its measures, contemplated, have national [undecipherable] objects in view. They are marked strongly with wisdom and decision; & they will, in my opinion, if adopted with union, & executed with firmness & address, ensure permanent safety & happiness to this people.—— Thus have I given you a concise & general view, of my present impressions, as to the affairs of the Union; & with that confidence, which one candid man ought always to feel toward another.—— Had I more leisure, perhaps I should have been more explicit & systematic; but this rough Sketch, which I can not copy or reduce to form, may serve to develope my present Ideas.—— With Sentiments of respect I have the honour to be Sir your very hum'd Serv^t Stephen Higgenson