To Benjamin Franklin from François Bordot, 4 September 1779
From François Bordot3
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Rochelle, septr: 4. 1779.
Honorable Sir,
Yesterday evening the frigate Diligente, belonging to Count DEstaing’s fleet, arriv’d in St. Martins Roads, with Express Dispatches from that Admiral. The Captain, Mr. Duchilo, came a Shore at 6 o’clock, told the Governor and Commissary he brought material and welcome News,4 Recommended to them an English Prisoner of great Distinction he had on board, and took Post immediately for Versailles.5
I have the honor to be with all due Respect, Honorable Sir, Your most obedient and humble servt.
F Bordot
Notation: Bordot La Rochelle 4e. 7bre. 1779.
3. Bordot, a former admiralty clerk, had been sending occasional intelligence from La Rochelle since February: XXVIII, 625; XXIX, 611.
4. D’Estaing selected capitaine de vaisseau the comte du Chilleau to bring the news of the capture of Grenada and the subsequent naval battle: Amblard-Marie-Raymond-Amédée, vicomte de Noailles, Marins et soldats français en Amérique pendant la guerre de l’indépendance des Etats-Unis (1778–1783) (Paris, 1903), pp. 82–3.
5. The prisoner was Lord Macartney, the former governor of Grenada: ibid., pp. 86–8.