To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 24 February 1780
From John Bondfield
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Nantes 24 feb 1780
Sir
The arrival of the Governor Livingston & Mary fearon5 calling me to Nantes preventing my having the Honor of receiving your favor of the 4 Inst. to yesterday.
I esteem the pleasure of congralating you on the safe arrival of Mr Jay and the other Passengers per the Aurore Frigate from Martinico a circumstance of moment in the present critical situation of Europe. The Cannon purchased by your order lays at our arsenal at Bordeaux four pieces of 24 pounders excepted which the bad roads prevented getting down but will be deliver’d in the course of this month6 we have had no oppertunitys since their being Cast of forwarding them to America. Could the Alliance Frigate take them without injuring her Sailing would be a favorable conveyance. The Post man disapointed my good intentions but that is only defer’d.
The Papers & Letters by our Ships being duely forwarded from Lorient & Nantes at their arrival I of consiquence can give you no advices other than them I suppose at your hands. They expected at Virginia a Visit from the British Troops and were preparing to receive them.
I have the Honor to be with due respect Sir Your most Obed Hum Servant
John Bondfield
His Excellency Benj Franklin Esq
Addressed: To / His Excellency B Franklin / Esq / Passy / prés / Paris
Notation: John Bondfield Feb 24 80
5. For the arrival of the Governor Livingston see Jones’s letter of Feb. 13. The Mary Fearon, also fitted out by Bondfield, had accompanied her to America and like her returned with tobacco consigned to Penet, d’Acosta frères: XXVIII, 413; XXX, 388; Jefferson Papers, III, 551.
6. Bondfield, however, had certified on Aug. 5, 1779, that the cannon was forwarded to Lorient and consigned to Gourlade and Moylan. This signed certification was written on the bottom of a May 25 bill sent Bondfield by Louis Sazerac l’aîné & fils (XXIX, 628n).