Brownson's letter to Henry is the first of the new year and express Brownson's pleasure at his son's presence in Detroit rather than in St. Paul. Brownson taught school at Springwells, 11 miles from Detroit in 1824. The outlying River Rough section is infected with malaria although the city of Detroit itself is pleasant and healthy. In Brownson's day there General Cass was Governor of Michigan and Judge Woodbridge was Chief Justice. Detroit's population was from eleven to twelve hundred of mostly French origin and the whole territory of Michigan had only 17,000 inhabitants. In 1824 Jefferson Ave., running from Lake St. Clair to the Fort, was laid out. Brownson's memories of Detroit are very pleasant and the First Catholic Church he saw was St. Ann's Church in this old United States Settlement. He has visited the city only twice since having left it. In his opinion the Cathedral was not remarkable. The bishop Peter Paul Lefevere was a good man but small, and one of Brownson's warmest friends was Father J. Hennessy, former pastor of the Cathedral. The Church in Detroit is chiefly Belgain in tone and spirit. Doubtless, some of the old wealthy French families remain, and whom Henry will find agreeable society. Henry is still senior captain of his corps and it is hardly possible that a captain will be appointed from the regular army with a commission older than his. Brownson feels, that with promotion taking place in the corps Henry should become a Major soon. Congress will probably raise the pay of officers or at any rate restore the fifty cent commutation. Brownson thinks Henry should be enjoying himself and he is glad that his son likes General Hecker. Henry is asked to present Brownson's regards to Major Harding. Brownson has engaged to furnish a four column editorial each week for the New York Tablet . The pay is $10 per week, an inadequate but important sum to Brownson. If he is able to fulfill his engagements with the Tablet, Ave Maria, and Catholic World, he will not charge Henry for his board when he visits him and in addition he will buy a new hat and clothes and appear once more like a gentleman. Brownson claims that his prediction with regard to Mexico is likely to be fulfilled. Maximillian is staying in spite of the liberals and aims to divert U.S. attention from the Eastern Question as well as to prevent a U.S. alliance with Russia. A general European War on the Eastern Question seems inevitable and U.S. may be drawn into it since U.S. has several questions to settle with Great Britain and France and the people sympathize with the Greeks. However, Brownson who is also on the side of Russia thinks that the people of the U.S. will fight only on their own continent. Napoleon is alarmed at the prospective growth of Russia and U.S. and seeks to combine all the old European states against them. Brownson believes that this policy comes too late. In his opinion great unitarian states are generally too strong for allied or confederate states and the U.S. will take possession of the whole continent of America. Probably the great battle for the empire of the world will ultimately be fought in Asia between U.S. and Russia. At any rate the expension of these two great powers cannot be successfully resisted and very soon their united dimplomacy will be all powerful. Brownson's health is generally good except for his feet, which hurt him. He plans having shoes specially fit. Mrs. Brownson's health and appetite have improved since the cold weather came on. P.S. Henry's mother sends her warm love, as does Brownson. He is cautioned not to visit his brother Orestes as yet, for a new comer is expected there in February. Henry is asked to write Orestes, however. :: III-3-a A.L.S. 3pp. 8vo.