201John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 13 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, October 13, 1778: We learn from an American privateer which arrived at Corunna on September 30 that Admiral Howe tried to relieve Rhode Island. His and d’Estaing’s fleets were severely damaged in a storm; he has returned to New York and d’Estaing regained his post off Newport. The privateer took two packet boats from which he has brought into...
202To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 21 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 21 Sep. 1787 . Acknowledges TJ’s letter of 9 Sep. ; is returning a letter sent under his cover for Thomas Blanchard, who was first employed, at Bondfield’s request, by a French firm “and that with a view of drawing the Americans from the British line in which throu the influence of the English ship Broker who they all apply too as speaking their Language confounds and makes appear as...
203To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 15 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am honord with your favor of the 4th Instant am obliged to you for the Trouble you took in the Honor done to my drafts. The Master of a Ship arrivd here yesterday taken off Bell Isl left Hampton Road the 22 May past in the Night the English Men of War that lay off Norfolk the reports were all confused of the Actions of the English he threw his papers...
204John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 27 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, June 27, 1778: The Belle-Poule ’s engagement is considered here a prelude to war; all foreign produce is being bought up as speculation. Admiral Byron is apparently not bound for America. These developments may further recruiting there, which I am told needs a spur. The marquis d’Almodóvar left on the night of the 25th. The nonarrival of the...
205To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 8 October 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
It is in common practise before an old Servant is dismist to assign to him some mark of disapprobation or to thank him for his past attentive Services, also to discharge the Sums due him, or provide for him a decent retreat. Publick Bodies are not to be supposed to know private chains unless situated in a line to reflect lustre. This Letter being intended as a private personal representation,...
206To John Adams from John Bondfield, 20 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
By this days post we are advised of the sailing from Cadiz of the Spanish Fleet consisting of thirty Sail of the line to cruize off Cape St. Vincent prepered to intercept the English Fleet destind for Gibralter. Their wild Goose chase against that fortress employs Men ships and money that might be put to much more useful purpose. Two Dutch Couriers from Madrid and one for Versailes past thro...
207John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 21 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Yesterdays post brought us advice of the Arrival of a Vessel belonging to this City from Baltimore in 22 Days at Bilboa, a passenger from on board said to be charged with dispatches for your Honors from Congress sett off for Paris on their Arrival. Letters from Bayonne give me Account of his having past thro’ that City on his road to Paris. I dont learn any Material Inteligence it may be...
208To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 30 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society It is with concern we have by this mornings post the Confirmation of the Capture of the Marquis de la fayett. The loss sustaind by America by the nessessity they are under for the Goods shipt by that Vessel engages me into using this first opportunity of tendering you a considerable party of Broad Cloths with other nessessary furniture as linings & trimings...
209John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 27 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Engagement of La Belle Poule is esteem’d at this port as a prelude to the declaration. Sugar Coffee and every other forreign Produce is buying up on Speculation which Acts are the Merchants Compass governing their views by the appearances of the times. We have Letters of the 10 and 13 May from America but as they came by the Nymph Frigate can of course contain nothing more than what you...
210John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 30 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
A vessel Arrived yesterday from Louisiana confirms the Accounts received from them parts of the Back Settlers from Georgia and Carolina having got possession of all the British Posts on the Banks of the Missisipi and of two valuable Vessels Loaden for London that they conducted to New Orleans and there disposed of the Cargoes. A Vessel from Carolina for this port was taken by a privateer...