To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 2 September 1778
From John Bondfield
ALS: American Philosophical Society
Bordeaux 2 Sept 1778
Sir
At the repeated Instances of La Marquise de La Fayette that I would give in charge some dispatchs or packets that she might have the pleasure to deliver to you in person I cannot decline her obliging attention and esteem the oppertunity of acquainting you that as your Agent I have been honor’d by Le Marchal and La Mar[échale] de Mouchy Governor of the province La Duchess de Duras La Marquisse de La Fayette, La vicomtess de Noel and the dependants of the Family with particular Civility and consideration.6 I have the Honer to be with due respect Sir Your most Obedient Humble Servant
John Bondfield
The Honble. Benj Franklin
Notation: Bondfield 2nd. Sept. 1778.
6. All the people Bondfield mentions were relatives of BF’s friend Adrienne de Noailles, marquise de Lafayette: Philippe de Noailles, the maréchal duc de Mouchy (1715–94) and his wife Anne (1718–94) were her great-uncle and aunt; Louise de Noailles, duchesse de Duras (1745–1822) was her second cousin; and Louise, vicomtesse de Noailles (1758–94) was both her younger sister and wife of another second cousin. See Idzerda, Lafayette Papers, I, [xliv–xlv] and passim.