Cutting, John Browne, fl. 1782-1797 to Henry Knox

Thoughts on various topics of the day, including the ways people understand the war and military strategy; shifting American perceptions of the war, especially those of people in Massachusetts; financial problems and supply shortages; squabbles among political leadership; the structure of the new government; taxes; and religion. Congratulates Knox on the arrival of his new son, musing, "Pray what kind of features has the late additional young gentleman? Do they indicate peace or war? Has his brow the military scowl of defiance, or do smiles of pacification expand in rosy dimples? If an ancient could predict the events of war & peace from the unmeaning inside of a lifeless animal, why may not a modern from the expressive outside of a living Intelligence, late from celestial head quarters? Be this as it may, I might unreproach'd with vanity, affirm I should have as rational data to go upon respecting future political and military movements, from Surveying the face of an Infant, as most of our wiseacres appear to have from inspecting the present face of affairs in the great world of contention."