23451To John Adams from John Bondfield, 12 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am honord with your obliging and interesting favors of the 2 Instant. The arrival of our two Ships the Governor Livngston and Mary Fearen from Virginia at Nantes obliged me to repair to this Town to see to the discharge and disposal of their Cargoes and the reequiptment of the Ships. This has prevented my replies in the course you had a right to expect, as your Letters were forwarded to me...
23452To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 24 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The arrival of the Governor Livingston & Mary fearon calling me to Nantes preventing my having the Honor of receiving your favor of the 4 Inst. to yesterday. I esteem the pleasure of congralating you on the safe arrival of Mr Jay and the other Passengers per the Aurore Frigate from Martinico a circumstance of moment in the present critical situation of...
23453To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 25 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am this Instant honord with your favor of the 14 Curt. The petition of the poor American is perfectly true as there represented some days after his arrival at Bordeaux he was taken ill of the Small Pox, he applied to me to get him into the Hospital they are not receivd into the Hospital in that disorder which I told the poor man. He was with one of his...
23454To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 20 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
A Ship arrived yesterday from New Orleans. The Captain deliverd me the inclosed to you addrest. The Spaniards appear intent to whatever may tend to encrease their population. The province of Louisiana yeilds very rich produce. The two Cargoes arrived here will amount to two Millions Livres in furrs and Indigo. Their population in Spaniards, french and English amounts to Twenty eight Thousand....
23455To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 4 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honor to pay my respects to you the 17 & 23 Ulto. I have the pleasure to advise you of the arrival of One of the Ships I expected from Virginia she arrived at Rochforte, the 2d April having had a passage of only Twenty Nine days. The Captain writes me that he shall retain my Letters to deliver them to me himself. I expect the Ship here every Tide...
23456To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 12 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Having sent to take out the clearances at the Custom house for the arms that I proposed to ship to Day on board the Ship Marquis de lafayette bound to Norfolk, The Receiver with whom lays the duty to expedidite the proper papers refused to grant the clearance alledging that the signature of the Controleur General on the face of the Passport was indispensable to enjoy the privaledges granted. I...
23457To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 4 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society There being at this Port many American Seamen and officers lately arrived from England and other Parts have engaged us to purchase a fast Sailing Brig at this Port of which we have given the Command to Captain James Tucker. I request the favor that you will please to send me by return of Post a Commission for the said Brig as I intend to Arm her as a Letter...
23458To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 29 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Refering to what I had the honor to write you last post this serves only to advise you that in consiquence of my engagements that become due in the course of next month for the fifty six pieces of artillery I have drawn in favor of Messieurs Bory freres & Co at four Months from this day for ninteen Thousand eight hundred Livres in the following Sums 29 June...
23459John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 23 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
The 9th Instant I had the honor to pay my respects to you and to request your information tutching the Convoy we Solicited for the Ships at Nantes. I meet with some difficulty in expediting of our Ships. They being American property must of course be furnishd with American Pass’s. I have to request you will favor me with your Pass’s by return of Post for the following; Vessels otherways met at...
23460To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 10 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your two favors of the 31 Ulto. I have given communication and shall continue to make publick the Resolution of the Committee held at Berni the 24 May. It will certainly have the desired end of promoting a more extensive Commerce betwixt the two States. I shall transmit by the post to morrow a Copy of the Resultat to Rochfort agreable to your Instructions....
23461To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 24 March 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. William Vernon Junr of Boston son to the president of the Navy Board of the Eastern department having been with me these three Years past intending to return shortly to America is desireous to pass a few Days at Paris. Permit me to introduce him to your Civilities his Prudent conduct in the midst of sceenes of disipations has procured him very...
23462To John Adams from John Bondfield, 20 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed we take the liberty to lay before you a letter we lately wrote to Doc. Franklin requesting his interest to obtain us leave from the Ministry to load our Vessels with the produce of this Kingdom to the French Islands on the same terms as Nationals for certain reasons we leave to your judgement to suppose we thought it prudent to write direct to the ministry thro the Channel of the Navy...
23463John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 9 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am honor’d with your favor of the 30th Ulto accompanying four Passports for our Ships and for which I am obliged to you. I have had no Letters the two Last posts from Nantes but suppose our Vessels are ready for Sea. No Arrivals yet on this Coast from America nor any intelligence Interesting. I have the honor to be with due respect Sirs Your most Obed...
23464To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 11 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 11 July 1789 . Has received TJ’s of 27th by Cutting.—“I have introduced that Gentleman to Mr. Streickeysen.” The sum owed the latter by South Carolina “will be a bar to impower in a Stranger the means of recovery. The State hath named a Commissioner for receiving the proceeds of Tax’s appropriated to the discharge of their foreign Debt. The Commissioner has already made a...
23465To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 4 November 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS American Philosophical Society I am Honord with your Confidential Letter of the 22 Ulto (sans signature). A fall from my Horse by which I have my left arm Broken confines to my room and will prevent for some days longer applying to the Contents of your Enquiries wch I shall do so soon as able and transmit you every information I can obtain from the most Inteligent & impartial of our...
23466John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 16 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, June 16, 1778: Mr. Emery has heard from Capt. Conyngham that he arrived at Coruña from Cadiz after taking four prizes. The Boston reportedly fell in with two privateers and took one; the other escaped. Jersey privateers have taken two ships off the Spanish coast. A vessel reached Lisbon that had passed d’Estaing’s squadron off Terceira on May 23....
23467To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 4 September 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
By last packet from New York I receivd a remittance from Virginia in two Warrants of which anext a Copy of One. Permit me to request your information of the Nature of these Grants, is it at present the time to obtain the Survey or to let the Warrant lay dormant to a future Day? In case it is most Advisable á present Survey, can farmers be obtaind to set down on the Lands and Cultivate them for...
23468John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 30 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, June 30, 1778: A ship from Louisiana confirms that Georgia and Carolina settlers have seized all the British posts on the Mississippi and two ships, whose cargoes they sold in New Orleans. A privateer took a Carolina vessel near our coast, and a French frigate captured a privateer in the river. The Count d’Aranda, returning from Madrid to Paris,...
23469To John Adams from John Bondfield, 28 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am honord with your favor of the 12 Instant. I shall pay perticular attention to see every article you have mention’d in your memorandum compleated and Shipt with care on board Captain Tucker directed as you have laid down. I hope you enjoy your health in the Air of Paris and that every thing around you contributes to your Satisfaction. Wherever my Services can be to you perticularly useful...
23470John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 10 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this day receivd from Mr. Livingston a Letter wherein he requests I would apply for a Letter of Mark for the Ship bought for him. I shall esteem the favor of you to forward one to me by the first Post I expect he will be ready for Sea by the first November. The Ship is called the Livingston, in Honor of Governor Livingston, the late Mr. P....
23471John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 2 February 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, February 2, 1779: Capt. Jason Laurence of the schooner General Arnold arrived here yesterday by a Dutch ship; he had been put on board by the Jersey privateer that captured him. He informs me his ship belonged to General Arnold and was the first launched in Philadelphia since its recapture. He left there on November 4, carrying packets for you...
23472John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 15 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
Referring to what I had the Honor to write you the 12th Current. Yesterday arrived from Virginia the Cutter Tartar Capt. Southcomb. He left York River the 29th July. Private Letters by him are dated the 21st of same contain no accounts other than them at hand. He reports a report of Comte d’Estaing having taken five English Frigates, that New York was closely blockt up and no doubt of the...
23473John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 1 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honor to pay my most respectful Compliments of Season wishing prosperity to all your undertakings. We are without any Arrivals since I had the Honor to write you the 5th Ultimo. By Letters from Nantes I am inform’d the Chasseur is Loaded and all is ready for the other Ship which contrary winds have detaind near two Months at Isl of Rhé not more than 24 hours sail from Nantes. I...
23474[To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 16 January 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Bordeaux, 16 Jan. 1787. Recorded in SJL as received 21 Jan. 1787. Not found; but see St. Victour & Bettinger to TJ, 23 Jan. 1787 .]
23475To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 9 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 9 Aug. 1788. Mrs. Barclay wrote by this day’s post that she would set out by 10th or 15th at furthest, and intended to stop at Blaye . “The Diligence dont pass near that post of some miles,” and he urges TJ to convey his recommendation that she “stop at a Village or small bourg calld St. André de Cubsac near to which we have a Country Seat, and will give instructions for Carriages to...
23476John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 4 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
The Union Cap. Barry arriv’d the 2 Instant from Edenton which place he left the 6th June. I apply’d for Letters that I apprehended as being loaden by Mr. Hewes he would have had in charge but am told he had only three, two for a Merchant at this place and one for Nantz. Its a disapointment having so short a passage not to receive advices. The Captain says he intended for Sweeden but the winds...
23477John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 3 October 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, October 3, 1778: No ships have arrived from America; that none have come from [South] Carolina is to be expected because of the embargo on rice, but many French vessels are in Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina, even if American ships are lacking. A ship belonging to Mr. Ross was sold here. The crewmen who shipped for the round trip demand...
23478To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 21 April 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society From Bilboa by a vessel arrived from Salem they have receivd advice that the L’Eveilée Capt De Thilly fell in with the Romulus of 44 Guns with a Convoy consisting of 20 Transports bound from New York to the Assistance of Arnold. The accounts differ in the Number of Troops on board some mention 6000 others five hundred, 1200 suits Cloathing, Arms, and a...
23479To John Adams from John Bondfield, 6 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am honor’d with your Favors of the 24 and 25th. Ultimo. Five years are not sufficient to place in oblivion the means formerlly in Use to obtain the ways and means of subsisting, there is a degre of delight when become independent that to a Being once in possession never loses the Idea every Man in Buissness tho his revenues springs from reciprocal wants are obtained in a line which appear...
23480To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 24 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The following is a petition rather of a Singular Nature yet I think I have some grounds. In the private Armaments made in this Kingdom on the Granting Commissions I embarkt in order to engage others to the extent of a considerable Sum. Our Vessels took many, but of Little value, of course hurt the Enemy without indemnifying the Interested Twenty Six or...
23481To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 22 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A Small Sloop arrived here last night from the Eastern shore of Maryland she left Motompkin [Metomkin] a small port without the Cape the 17 April. The Captain informs me all appeard perfectly quiet no movements of any Note he brought no Letters nor any papers. I received yesterday the inclosed. The writer Joseph Baily and his Companion Phillip Chapman are...
23482John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 8 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library <Bordeaux, May 8, 1778: Vessels from Georgia have arrived with news that a shipment of specie had been landed from Havana; the state’s currency is greatly inflated. Friends in Cadiz write that the government is making it difficult for them to sell Conyngham’s prizes, and ask whether the ships might be addressed to me; what am I to tell them? I assume from your...
23483To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 10 November 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Just returnd to Bordeaux from the Country where by your friendly Assistance I have resided since I left Passi. Accept my most respectful accknowledgemts. for your kind services, Services of a nature that cannot be errast and of which I shall ever retain a most sincere reconnoisance. By my last Letters from Paris I am not more advanct than when I left that...
23484To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 30 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I receivd in due course your favor of the 13 Instant, the Vin de frontignan for Monsr. le Comte de Moustier shall be carefully forwarded to New York by the first vessel after its arrival here. The American Ships to this have not been subjected to report the contents of their Cargoes inwards nor to take out specified clearances of their outward Cargoes, that no registres have preserved any...
23485To John Adams from John Bondfield, 14 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
By an Express which past this City on Sunday and by all the Letters by yesterdays post from Spain we are informd America has declared War against Portugal and Hostilities are commenct by the Capture of Six rich Brazil Ships which they name—Captain Paul Jones is said to be the Hero. The Portuguese Consul at Bayonne has sent orders to all Captains at this Port sailing under portuguese Colours to...
23486To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 14 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux , 14 Oct. 1786. Expects the “Intendant General” to arrive in a few days; will immediately procure clearance for the 34 cases now ready and any others which may arrive; will ship on the Commerce if she is still in port. Asks TJ to honor two drafts: one for 498 livres for articles shipped for his personal account; the other for 1,502 livres for his advances for shipping the arms for...
23487John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 26 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
Last Evening Arrived at this Port a prize Brig call’d the Archangel from Archangel for London taken by the privateer General Mifflin: Cap. Daniel M’Neil of Boston in Lat 72 North Long 25°East of London. The American Arms may truely be said to extend to the Poles. The views of having a privateer to Cruize in them Seas must be truely Partiotic. It can afford no other object than to destroy the...
23488To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 25 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Brig Missoury arrivd yesterday from Philadelphia I received Letters from our friend Mr. Barclay with instructions to facilitate all in my power Mrs. Barclays return to America. I write this Post to Mrs. Barclay advising her the arrival of the above ship and transmit her a remittance to discharge her engagements and defray her Expences to this Post where I shall retain the Vessel and...
23489John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 30 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society By last Post I was honor’d by William Lee Esq. with his Deputation of Commercial Agent for the Secret Committee of Congress at the Ports of Bayonne Bordeaux Rotchfort and La Rotchell. Permit me in that Character to assure you of my steddy adherence to the instructions I have and may receive and to a due observance of any Orders you may please to command,...
23490To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 6 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
At my return from the Country I found the inclosed letter on my Desk which I omitted in mine of the 21st. Ulto. Every appearance here bespeaks preparatives for offensive or deffensive measures. All the workmen in the different branches of the Marine Service are took up and sent to the different arsenals and orders are come to the Marine Board not to grant any more seamen leave to embark til...
23491John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 2 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
Captain Jason Laurence belonging to the Schooner General Arnold Arrived here Yesterday by a dutch Ship being put on board by a Jersey Privateer that took the Schooner the 1 Decr. fifteen Leagues from Belle Isle. He informs me the Vessel belonged to Genl. Arnold that she was the first that had been Launcht at Phila. since the recovery. He left that City the 4 Novr. had on board Packets from...
23492John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 3 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
We are yet without any Arrivals from any part of America, from Carolina as an embargo is in force for the exporting of Rice, it is not extraordinary, but from all the other Provinces some Vessels may be expected as there are many french Vessels in Virginia Maryland and No. Carolina, should vessels belonging to the States be wanting, which I apprehend is rather the Case, some of the other ought...
23493To John Adams from John Bondfield, 28 August 1792 (Adams Papers)
A Ship for Philadelphia sailing to morrow gives me the opportunity to transmit you the papers of the Day too interesting not to be acceptable The reigning Spirrit appears determin’d on a change in that part of the Constitution that delagated the Executive Power in an Hereditary Chief, The short space that has Elapst since the existence of his Power has demonstrated the Vice of that...
23494To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 17 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 17 July 1787. Encloses an arrêt concerning Thomas Barclay which is “couched in terms so offensive to the parties interested” that it throws “a heavy imputation” on all who interested themselves in his behalf “in his Official capacity.” Bondfield is especially pointed out as having misled the authorities. Although Barclay’s Moroccan mission is at an end, his person is still protected...
23495To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 20 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I receiv’d ⅌ last post a Letter under my Cover from you for the Honble. J. Jay, which I have deliverd to Mrs. Barclay.-Mrs. Barclay with her family arrived in good health on Saturday. They are on their passage to America having left this early this morning. One of the papers you deliverd Mrs. Barclay was the Inclosed paquet that she apprehends was put up thro mistake and has given it me to...
23496To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 15 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 15 July 1786 . Has shipped on board the Comte d’Artois , Capt. Stephen Gregory, 50 cases of arms, numbered 1 to 50, from the manufactory at Tulle, addressed to the governor of Virginia for the account of that state; lists papers enclosed. The governor must return an “especially authenticated” certificate to cancel Bondfield’s bond for the safe delivery of the arms. Has drawn draft in...
23497To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 5 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 5 Sep. 1789 . New York packet will sail from hence 15th.—“The Crop of wheat has proved very short of our wants. We must have recourse to foreign Supplies. Some Expeditions are forming from hence and orders are sent by owners of ships belonging to this port now in the West Indies to proceed from thence to different states on the Continent to take in their Loadings of wheat or flour,...
23498John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 8 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, September 8, 1778: The privateer schooner Success arrived this morning. Her master, Captain Attwood of Virginia, reports d’Estaing sailed from Chesapeake Bay for New York on July 9, leaving behind five frigates. When English prisoners are brought here by privateers, your authority is not invoked as to whether they should be set free or not, and...
23499To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 9 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The vessel I advised you arrived at Rochelle proved to be a Ship belonging to some Merchants at Baltimore. By Letters yesterday from Bilboa we are advised of the Arrival of two American Vessels at that Port from New England one of them a Brig from Salem took on her Passage a homeward bound Jamaica man estimated at Twenty five Thousand Pounds. The prize I...
23500John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 7 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday arrived from Edenton the Sloop Sally Cap Norton which place he left the 6th June. He has brought few Letters, he mentions the entire Capture of the fourth regiment who upon the expedition of Col. Maitland pushing into the Country their retreat was cut off and obliged to lay down their Arms officers and Soldiers not one escaping. He gives also accounts of the Arrival of several...