Adams Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-07-02-0239

John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 23 January 1779

John Bondfield to the Commissioners

Bordeaux 23 Jany 1779

Sirs

The 9th Instant I had the honor to pay my respects to you and to request your information tutching the Convoy we Solicited for the Ships at Nantes.

I meet with some difficulty in expediting of our Ships. They being American property must of course be furnishd with American Pass’s. I have to request you will favor me with your Pass’s by return of Post1 for the following; Vessels otherways met at Sea are subjected to be taken by our Own Ships as well as by the Enemy.

(The Brig Molly. 120 Tons) a Prize taken from the English bought at Rochelle.

(The Ship Le Chasseur 250 tons) a Prize taken from the English bought at Rochelle.

(The Ship Mary Fearon 350 tons) a Prize taken from the English bought at Lorient.

(The Ship Governor Livingston 500 tons) a Prize taken from the English bought at Rochelle. For this Ship we have your Commission of Letter of Marque that may serve the Place of a Pass tho every Vessel belonging to America clear’d out in France ought to have one from you to serve instead of Register no Court or office being yet establish’d to grant the latter. These four Vessels are the Sole Property of James Price, William Haywood and John Bondfield.

Letters from Cadiz mention the Capture of an American Vessel sent into Gibralter having on board Tobacco and Rice. He reports an engagement betwixt Comte d’Estaing and an English Fleet the latter end of November but no pert [particular?] Circumstances.2

Letters from Martinico mentions their Ports being blockt up by English Cruizers. That they dayly expected the Arrival of Cte. D’Estaing. We are without other Inteligence. The Arrival of a Vessel at Morlaix from the States you will have been duely Advised.3 With due Respect I have the Honor to be Sirs Your most Obedient Humble Servant

John Bondfield

RC (PPAmP: Franklin Papers); addressed: “The Honble Benj Franklin Arthur Lee John Adams Esqrs. Commissionairs du Congrés a Paris”; docketed: “Mr Bondfield ans. Jany 30th. 1779.”

1The Commissioners enclosed passes in their reply of 30 Jan. and informed him that they had no precise information concerning the convoy (LbC, Adams Papers). Bondfield acknowledged their letter on 9 Feb. (PPAmP: Franklin Papers).

2A false report.

3Probably the Morris (see Benjamin Gunnison to the Commissioners, 14 Dec. 1778, and note 1, above).

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