Benjamin Franklin Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-28-02-0460

John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 16 February 1779

John Bondfield to the American Commissioners

ALS: American Philosophical Society

Bordeaux 16 feby 1779

Sirs

Mr. Bory nephew to Mr Beaujon at Paris whose conections are in the most respectable line in this province and whose friendship on many occations I have had oppertunity since in the Publick Service perticularly to experience and is at this day Capitally embarkt in conections wth. the United States permit me to Introduce to your Civilities.6

Since my last of the 9th Inst. we have Letters from Philadelphia of 18 & 20 Decr. by this days post from Brest we are informd of Le Marquis de Lafayetts arrival from Bosten in 25 Days consiquently you will have received latter inteligence than any we have from Cadiz we are advised of a Vessel being taken and sent into Gibralter that left Virgina in January having on board a valuable Cargo of Tobacco four Prizes are sent into Vigo by the Vengeance of Newberry Port.7

The failure of the House of Basmarin will cause a great sensation to the prejudice of American Conections which from variety of Circumstances have met many Checks and to which Mr D——ns appeal has not added Consistance.8

I have the Honor to be with due regard Sirs Your most Obedient Humble Servant

John Bondfield

The Honble. the Commissioners

Addressed: To the Honble / Benjamin Franklin Arthur / Lee & John Adams Esqrs / Commissioners from Congress / at / Passi / Per favor Mr Bory

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

6Nicolas Beaujon (1718–86), a merchant and government banker, in 1773 had purchased the residence which today is the Elysée Palace (DBF). What we know of his nephew is that when Bondfield reintroduced him on Oct. 31, 1781, he described Bory’s brothers as “conected in sundry fabrichs of Goods much wanted in America” (APS).

7For some of the exploits of the brig Vengeance, 20, see Allen, Mass. Privateers, p. 314.

8The bankruptcy of Basmarein & Raimbaux is discussed in XXVI, 677n. The Jour. de Paris reported on Feb. 12 that seals had been affixed after the departure of Reculès de Basmarein, “secrétaire du Roi, Receveur des Tailles de Sens.” “Mr. D——’s” appeal is undoubtedly Deane’s “To the Free and Virtuous Citizens of America.”

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