Benjamin Hichborn to John Adams

I have long intended to write to you, but the fear of giving you more trouble than Information, has hitherto prevented me—the present critical Situation of public Affairs, & the probable issue of them, so different from what is conceived by most of our Politicians, have at length overcome every other Consideration & I have now taken my pen to communicate a Sentiment which I must entreat of you, by every tie of honor & friendship, (let the Event, be what it may) that you, never will mention it as having come from me—After this grave Introduction I may venture to tell you that there is a first determination in the Minds of Men of y[thorn sign]e greatest Influence, to change the form of Government thro’ the Continent, & shoud the present convulsions in this State continue the Change will most assuredly take place in a very short time—you may wonder at my Confidence, but depend upon the prediction,—what form of Government will succeed the present I will not pretend absolutely to determine, but that a great change will happen soon, unless, contrary to all appearances & the uniform bias of the human Mind, the most violent civild Commotions which ever made thier appearance, shoud suddenly subside without any either hope or fear to produce the change—perhaps I am writing not a word of news to you, & I think it not improbable, at least I can say I hope so because I never wish to see the political wheel in motion unless you have some share in the direction of it, & I most ardently wish shoud any great Event take place I hope before it is complicated, that you will be on the Spot—you have friends & Confidants I know, & perhaps some of them, have wrote \you/ on the same Subject; but I know some of your confidential Friends, have no Idea of the Subject—; shoud you incline to receive any further communications on this head, if you will honor me with a line by the Packet, I will without Reserve let you know everything that I may possess respecting it—you may observe Sir, that I use very little ceremony, & I think I know your Character too well to suppose it necessary—I have always wished for an opportunity of demonstrating the esteem & Confidence I feel & if possible to afford you a Satisfaction proportionate to y[thorn sign]e accidental injury I occassioned your feelings in suffering your letters to fall into y[thorn sign]e Enemies hands—I had determined to write you about two Years since to inform you of what I dare say no one else woud, which was that in case you returned to America, you without ye[thorn sign] least doubt have been chosen Governor—I suppose [were you] here at any time before our next Elect[ion] you woud have almost an unanimous vote—Bowdoin I believe will not be chosen & unless you shoud be here I suppose Hancock will—I write in a hurry that is scarcly decent, but as I do not write to recommend myself I hope it will be ye[thorn sign] more readily excused, The Vessel which carries this will sail in a few minutes—I beg leave to recommend my much esteemed Friend & Brother Mr Gardner (who is again in London with Mrs: Gardner) to your notice & shall acknowledge any civilities you may shew them as doubly done to myself—please present my respects to Mrs. Adams & believe me your undissembled / Friend