11From John Adams to John Bondfield, 3 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your kind Letters of the 17th. 20th. of June as well as that of 20th of May, are unanswered. I hope Soon to receive the Vin de Boisac —please to draw upon me, as soon as you please for, the whole, your Bills shall be paid upon sight. I am very glad that your Application to the Minister succeeded. Have you transmitted those Papers to Congress? Sending them to me, can only convince me of what, I...
12From 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...
13From 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...
14From 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...
15From 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...
16The 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...
17The 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...
18From 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...
19[From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 20 May 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 20 May 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Jno. Bonfield. Receipt of his of Apr. 19. and 25. and of wine in good order. Will answer his bill. Wine good.” TJ must have erred either in the present entry or in that of 5 May in which he recorded the receipt of “Bondfeild’s Bordeaux Apr. 28. 1785,” for if there had been two letters he doubtless would have acknowledged them in the present; at any...
20From 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.
21From 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...
22The 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.>...
23From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 29 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of inclosing you a copy of a letter from the Count de Vergennes. It will shew you that such orders have been given by the Controller general as leave a free exportation to the articles for which I lately forwarded you the passeports. I am Sir, with the most perfect consideration your very humble Servant, PrC ( DLC ); in Short’s hand, including signature; at foot of text:...
24From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 31 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Not knowing who is the Agent for the United States at Rochfort, or whether there be one I take the liberty of inclosing to you a copy of the resolutions concerning tobacco for that port, and of praying you to take measures for having them published there, which will much oblige Sir your most obedient & most humble servant, PrC ( DLC ). Enclosure: See Vergennes to TJ, 30 May 1786 .
25[From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 19 December 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 19 Dec. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mr. Bonfeild. Bourdeaux. Advice as to his land warrants—send me 1. gross such wine as he drank at Dr. F’s. and another gross to Mr. Eppes by some ship going above Bermuda hund. to be delivered him before May.” Not found.]
26The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 25 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives <Passy, May 25, 1778: We thank you for your intelligence reports. Your bills on us will be paid when we have received and examined your accounts; please present the latter monthly so that we do not acquire more debts than we can pay, of which there is considerable danger.> Published in Butterfield, John Adams Diary , IV , 116.
27The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 13 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, National Archives (two) We thank you for the civility of your favor of the 30th. ulto. and shall be obliged to you for the earliest communication of any interesting News that may reach your Port. We have the honor to be &c. &c. In Arthur Lee’s hand, on the verso of Bondfield’s letter above of March 30. The...
28From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 11 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
In the moment of receiving your letter inclosing the passport, which wanted the Comptroller’s signature, I inclosed it to his bureau to obtain that ceremony. It is but this instant returned to me, and in the same I take the liberty of inclosing it to you and of assuring you of the esteem & respect with which I have the honour to be Sir Your most obedient & most humble servt., PrC ( DLC ). See...
29The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 11 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, September 11, 1778: We have received yours of the 5th and wish better health to Captain Ayres. His ship should sail forthwith if it has not already done so. We will honor the draft for the account you enclosed, but you must distinguish the sums advanced to Mr. Adams in a private capacity as well as those...
30The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 30 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives We have the Honour of your Letter of the twenty third of this Month,— We are not able to inform you with Precision concerning the Convoy having not received an Answer to our last application to the Ministry on that Subject. Yet We hope that a Convoy will be appointed to Sail forthwith from Nantes. We...
31From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 17 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Being charged jointly with the M. de la Fayette and Mr. Barclay, with the purchase of arms for the state of Virginia, we have purchased several thousand stand from Messrs. Bettinger & St. Victour, to be made at Tulle, and delivered at Bourdeaux. A part of these are now ready. I have therefore taken the liberty of desiring them to be delivered to you, and must beg your undertaking to receive...
32From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 19 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours offering the Govr. Livingston and mary fearon for the service of the United States. Understanding little about shipping, I leave those Matters to Mr. de Chaumont and Mr. Williams. I have spoken to the former, and given him your letter. He is gone to Versailles to Day, where some Points are to be considered relating to The transport of the Goods, and...
33The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 4 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives <Passy, June 4, 1778: We have received your accounts for supplying the Boston ; some of the articles are dear, but we trust you to obtain everything as cheaply as possible. Your bills will be paid, and we hope the ship has left by now. You tell us of a plot against her, and we have forwarded the affidavit to the ministry;...
34From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 5 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favours of the 18 & 27 past and have honoured the Draft you mention. Capt. Jones has not yet apply’d to me for the Cannon you are providing. If he is willing to give for them what they cost, I believe I shall consent to his having them. I will consider about those you tell me are to be sold at Ferrol: Do you know why they were not received for the...
35From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 31 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
You will have understood perhaps that in the appointment of Consuls which has taken place, another than yourself has been named for Bordeaux. I feel it a duty to explain this matter to you lest it should give you an uneasiness as to the cause. No nomination occasioned more difficulty, nor hung longer suspended. But the Senate refused in every instance, where there was a native citizen in any...
36From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 30 July 1781 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I received your Favour of the 21. Inst. and return accepted the two Bills it enclos’d. In perusing your Account sent me the Beginning of March last, I observed considerable Sums advanced to Americans. The Advances for the Relief of poor distress’d Seamen I will pay, but the others to Officers and Gentlemen, I cannot allow, having no Orders to justify...
37From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 8 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now before me your several favors of May 27. June 10. 24. and July 15. I know of no appointment of agents in the ports of Rochfort, Rochelle or Bayonne, made by Mr. Barclay, nor, till the receipt of your letter did I know that you had been so kind as to extend your cares to those ports. In consequence of this, I had inclosed a copy of the order of Council of Berny to a Mr. Louis...
38From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 12 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Having asked permission of Congress to go to America this spring and return again in the ensuing fall, and being in expectation daily of receiving that permission, I have so arranged my business as to be able to depart within a week after the Congé shall come to hand. It is necessary for me in the mean time to know the vessels in the different ports which may be bound to the United states,...
39From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 30 August 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Having now received the permission to revisit my own country which I have been so long expecting, I have determined to depart from this place so that I may sail about the 1st. of October. It is interesting for me to know therefore from this time to that the vessels which may be or may come into the ports of France and be returning to some port of the Chesapeak or Delaware, the former of...
40From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 26 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have hitherto omitted sending you the Passport you desired because I would not find any Trace or Memory of such a Practice among our Proceedings since the Treaty; nor could I see the use of it. But as you repeat your Application for [ it ] in yours of the 15th. Instant, I send it inclos’d; acquainting you at the same time, that having no Instructions or Orders to...
41From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 2 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Revising the letters and notes in my possession on the subject of our commerce, I observe you say in your letter of Dec. 12. that we pay Alien duties in the ports of France, supposed the double of what we ought to pay. If by this you mean that we are not on as favourable a footing as Spain, it would be vain to remonstrate on that subject. The family compact expressly excluded all other nations...
42From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 2 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now the honor to inclose you the passeport for two thousand five hundred stand of arms, powder and other articles purchased and to be purchased for the State of Virginia. This passeport is to serve as well for what you have received as for what you will receive hereafter till its amount is satisfied. You will observe they are to pass free of all duty, but whether this will entitle us to...
43The Commissioners to John Bondfield, 15 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
We had this Moment the Pleasure of your Letter of the 10. Instant. You will please to furnish Captain Tucker, all such necessary Provisions for his future Voyage, as he shall require, recommending to him at the same Time, as much Frugality as may consist with the public service. We approve of your Proposal of exchanging the Ballast of Pigg Iron for Anchors as these are much wanted in America....
44From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 22 September 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress In mine of the 11th. Instant, I desired you to Ship any Cannon that might be in your hands, on board the marquis de la Fayette. I am since informed, that you have 28 Eighteen Pounders, & 28. Twenty four Pounders. As I owe to M. de Chaumont 28 Eighteen Pounders, to replace an equal Number of the same bore which with others, he advanced to me at l’Orient to ballast the...
45From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 16 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 11th. instant and lament much that I cannot avail myself of so excellent an opportunity of going to America as the Washington offers. But not having yet received my permission I am not at liberty to go. The tumults in Paris which took place on the change of the ministry, the slaughter of the people in the assault of the Bastille the beheading the Governor and...
46The Commissioners to John Bondfield, 4 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 4 June 1778. printed: JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:127 . Replying to letters (not found) from Bondfield of 26 and 30 May, the first enclosing accounts for the purchase of supplies for the Boston , and the second reporting on the conspiracy against the Boston and enclosing an affidavit...
47From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 3 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
It is long since I have done myself the honor of acknoleging the receipt of any of your favors. In the mean time those of June 28. July 25. Aug. 9. and 20. have been received. The reason of my delay was a constant expectation of hearing that the wine of Haut brion was on it’s way, and that you would draw on me for it’s cost; which shall be paid whenever you please to draw. If the wine has been...
48From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 26 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I am very sensible of your Merit with the United States and wish it was in my Power to serve you under the Difficulties you represent to me in yours of the 17th. Inst. But I have no Money at Command which is not appropriated to answer Contracts we have made here or Drafts of the Congress daily arriving, and I dare not presume to hazard a Possibility of Disappointment,...
49From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 24 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
On the departure of Mr. Barclay I was so hurried that in a letter I was writing to him, I could only ask him to be the bearer to you of a wish that you would be so good as to send me 6. dozen bottles of red Bourdeaux and 6 dozen of white, of fine quality. I now repeat this prayer to yourself, only desiring a gross of each instead of half a gross, mentioned to Mr. Barclay. You are the best...
50From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 18 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have deferred acknoleging the receipt of your favor of Nov. 30. in daily hope of accompaying it with the ultimate decision on our commerce. But it seems to walk before us like our shadows, always appearing in reach, yet never overtaken. I am disappointed in the proportion of returns of country produce from your port to America. I had received a statement from l’Orient by which I found they...
51The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 19 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have considered your plan and think it will be proper to send it to Congress for their Approbation. We desire you will purchase and ship on public Account in the best and cheapest Manner 28 Iron Cannon of 24 pound Ball and 28 of 18 lb. You will be so good as to send one set of Bills of Loading to us and another to...
52From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 8 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknolege the receipt of your several favors of Jan. 14. Feb. 14. and 21. Immediately on the receipt of the first I lodged an order with Mr. Grand to pay the 340₶. 16 to Mr. Vernon, because I did not know where he was to be found, and I supposed Mr. Grand to know it. Vernon called on me however for the first time in his life, and then went and received his money at Mr. Grand’s....
53The Commissioners to John Bondfield, 11 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the fifth instant We have received. We wish better Health to Captain Ayers, and a safe Passage to his Vessell, which is at sea before now no doubt, if not however she is to sail forthwith, without further orders. Your Draughts for the Account inclosed will be duely honoured. But you must distinguish that Part of it, which belongs to Mr. Adams in his private Capacity from the other...
54From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 25 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft) and copy: Library of Congress I have just received your Letter of the 20th. Instant, repeating your Application for a Commission for the Brigantine Sally. The same has been sent to you a Week since, and I hope you have receiv’d it before this time. This is to request that you would send by three of the first Vessels bound from your Port to...
55From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 22 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 15th. January came safely to hand. I immediately sent a passport for the wines to Monsieur Elie la Fevre at Rouen. He had not then received the wine or any notification of it; but, I doubt not, it is on it’s way. Your draught for the amount has not yet been presented, but shall be honoured whenever it is. I must ask of you a second favour of the same nature. The inclosed...
56From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 14 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I request that you would enquire into the facts represented in the enclos’d Petition, and if you find them true, that you would defray the reasonable Expences of the poor Man’s sickness, and make a Present to his friend of Two Guineas as a small Acknowledgment of his Hospitality and kindness. I have the honour to be, sir, &c. From Bondfield’s reply of Feb. 25 we...
57From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 13 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
It is sometime since I have done myself the honour of acknoleging regularly the receipt of your favors. Those of Oct. 6. 8. 12. and 20. have been duly received. Had the war taken place, your apprehensions of the usurpation of our flag by British vessels would certainly have been verified. But even in peace it is very desireable to strip them of this advantage. I shall soon have the honor of...
58From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 27 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Not having had occasion to write to you lately, I have yet to acknolege the receipt of your several favors of Apr. 18. 25. 28. May 2. and 23. There having been no Congress from November to April has been the reason that I have not yet received [the] permission I had asked to go to America, and which I am now in daily expectation of receiving. I shall leave Paris within 4 or 5. days after...
59From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 15 January 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress In Case Mr. John Vaughan should present himself before you to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America; this is to request and authorise you, to administer the same to him. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant John Vaughan ( XXVI , 53, 56, 512–13), unable to find sufficient work at Bordeaux and desiring to improve...
60From Benjamin Franklin to John Bondfield, 4 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received your favour of the 27th. past. I begin to be apprehensive with you for the Fate of the Confederacy. The only hope we have is founded on the Report of some Persons who Left philadelphia 10. Days after she Sail’d, that it was understood there, that she was to call at Charlestown before she quitted the Continent. If that was the Case, she may yet be safe,...