11From John Adams to John Bondfield, 7 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
I received, yesterday yours of 30 of June. As to taking the ships, for the United States, I have no Commission Instructions or other Authority whatsoever, to do any such Thing: and I presume no other Person in Europe has. I hope in God that no ship will ever be again, built, bought, hired, lent or I had almost Said given to the united states in Europe, nor any ever again put under the Command...
12From John Adams to John Bondfield, 2 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have had particular Reasons, which rendered it my Duty, to say little about my Mission to Europe, until lately, when these Reasons were all removed, by the settlements of certain Points, needless to mention. I am now therefore at Liberty to inform You that I have the Honor to be a Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America, vested with full Powers to treat and conclude with...
13From John Adams to John Bondfield, 10 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am this moment honoured with yours of the 6. I am now able to inform you, that the Wine is in my Celler. The Hogshead appeared in good order. The Caise, was found to contain only forty whole Bottles, and the Fragments of Eight broken ones. It was very badly packed—only cutt straw within and not well guarded. Pray send me, two Caises more of the very best White bourdeaux Wine, of 50 Bottles...
14From John Adams to John Bondfield, 3 January 1783 (Adams Papers)
I return you, with great Sincerity, the Compliments of the Season and thank you for your Congratulations on the Signature of the Preliminaries. I had upon my Mind, when I had the Pleasure to See you, three Years ago, at Bourdeaux, when I was Single in the Commission for Peace, a Strong Presage, that the Peace, must be negotiated in Holland, and consequently, I had more Dependance upon the...
15The Commissioners to John Bondfield, 25 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 25 May 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:116 . Replying to Bondfield’s letters of 12 (above) and 17 May (not found), the Commissioners’ letter, drafted by Adams, commended Bondfield for his efforts to keep them informed and asked him to send an account of his disbursements and...
16The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 27 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have before us yours of the 23d Inst. and are very sorry that Capt. Ayres is so indisposed as to prevent his return to America in the General Arnold. We wholly refer the appointmt. of a Master for this Vessel to you and Capt. Ayres and doubt not you will find a good Seaman and a person in whom you can confide. We...
17From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 18 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favours of the 6 & 9 inst. & thank you for the Intelligence they Contain. I hope generals Clinton & Thomson will give a good Acct. of the Invaders of Georgia. But if they should remain there till the end of the summer, a general fever at least will do a great Deal towards demolishing them. With much Esteem I am &ca Surely BF wished for a good account...
18From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 28 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I receiv’d yours of the 22d and thank you for the Information of the Arrival of the Tobacco Ship. If the Cargo belongs to the States, it is to be deliverd immediately to the Agents of the Farmers general residing in the Port. I am, Sir, &c.
19From John Adams to John Bondfield, 14 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of 6 May, from Bourdeaux, I have received. The Negotiations on foot among the maritime neutral powers, are very favourable to America and her Allies, and they ought to convince England, a Posteriori, of which a very simple Proscess of Reasoning a Priori, might have made clear to them, many years ago, on it, that it is the Interest of all the Maritime Powers, to Secure the Independance of...
20The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 15 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Massachusetts Historical Society <Passy, April 15, 1778: Please provide Capt. Tucker with the needed provisions and ask him to be as frugal as possible. We approve the suggestion in your letter of the 10th that pig iron be exchanged for anchors, which are much needed. Ship a chest of medicines and slops for the crew and make sure that the men are properly charged for what they receive.>...