23511John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 5 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
A french Brig belonging to La Rochelle arrived at this port the 2d Instant from Boston, he left that port the 4 November in Company with Adml. D’Estaing with all his fleet reinforced by some American Frigates. The Report circulated in Boston their intent was against Halifax, the Season was far advanct for an attempt of that nature. He kept company thirty Six hours, the Fleet steerd N.E., he...
23512John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 12 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, September 12, 1778: I have received offers from every forge from Angoulême to Bayonne for the cannon you commission me to purchase. None will promise to complete delivery before February and the arsenals cannot loan any. Thus I have decided to contract with the forges of Petigore [Périgord]. No ships have arrived from America the last three days...
23513To John Adams from John Bondfield, 6 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Tho I write by this Post to the Commissioners I cannot Omit paying my perticular respects to you signifying my hopes of your Safe Arrival and that all publick Matters are so favorably situated as your most Sanguin wishes could expect to meet them. Four Vessels having drop down the River on their way to the United States I have given advise by them to the secret Committee of Congress of your...
23514John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 10 April 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Massachusetts Historical Society <Bordeaux, April 10, 1778: Capt. Tucker hopes to start careening his ship next week and be finished by Easter. He has instructed the ship’s officers to make returns of the stores wanted. The local officers of the farmers general have ordered him to land and declare the tobacco brought by the Boston . I refused to comply, and they agreed to await further...
23515John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 13 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I took the liberty to draw on your honors as the most assured means to obtain a certainty of my letters in course getting to your hands. I am much obliged for the punctual honor you have paid to my drafts. I have to ask your excuse for not more particularly explaining the cause of the price of fresh Beef. The Pound of that article at Bordeaux is forty Ounces, during Lent which reignd all the...
23516John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 6 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, June 6, 1778: Since Captain Tucker left I have had to settle additional charges, of which I enclose details. The conspiracy has been diligently investigated by the intendant, but nothing can be proved. > Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 185–6. He left Bordeaux on May 17 and put to sea on June 6: ibid. , p. 109 n. He is referring back to a...
23517To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 24 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The important and decicive success’s Obtaind over the Enemy permits me to pay you my respectful Compliments of Congratulation. It will be difficult for the Americans to express greater sensibility than all Ranks at this City on the receipt of the advice proccured. The Sensation has not yet subsided a delirium appears to Agitate the whole Mass. Illuminations...
23518John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 7 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, July 7, 1778: The Sally , which arrived here yesterday from Edenton, reports that the fourth regiment of Col. Maitland’s expedition has been captured and that several ships, among them the Roderigue with a cargo of great value, have arrived in the Chesapeake. Consorting here with agents and consuls of European states shows me the advantages that...
23519John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 16 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society 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. Since my last of...
23520To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 23 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since mine of the 5. August I am honor’d with your favor of the 8th. I receiv’d yesterday eighteen Cases Arms from the Manufactory Royal de Tulle No. 69 a 86 which with the other eighteen Cases are lodged in a dry Store waiting permission for their Exportation, which so soon as obtain’d please to transmit to me. Vessels with Tobacco for the Contract arrive frequently. They are the only ships...
23521To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 23 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 23 May 1789 . Eight vessels have arrived from America within “these few Days”: 3 from Georgia and Carolina with rice, tobacco, and skins; 2 from Virginia with tobacco and flour; and 3 from Maryland with wheat, flour, and tobacco. Wheat and flour much wanted. More cargoes daily expected. Want of shipping will retard them, “but these supplies will serve to prevent appearances too well...
23522John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 10 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Upon Mature deliberation and the advise of Experienc’d Officers at this Port Captain Tucker has alter’d his resolution of laying the Ship a Ground, as there are proper Conveniences to heave down large Ships he has brought his Ship up to the Hulks and getting all ready to have her hove down next Week which he and the Carpenter tels me will take eight Days. I therefore hope we shall get her out...
23523John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 23 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, January 23, 1779: While visiting you on January 9, I inquired about the convoy we requested. I must also request passes by return post for four of our vessels, the Molly , the Chasseur , the Governor Livingston , and the Mary Fearon , all the property of James Price, William Haywood, and John Bondfield. Letters from Cadiz report the capture of an...
23524To George Washington from John Bondfield, 12 November 1789 (Washington Papers)
The great and Urgent wants of this Nation, occation’d by the faileur of the two last Crops of wheat, creates dreadful Alarms, to this add the low State of the finnances, occation’d by the Great Revolution effecting; for the two last six months few have paid the Usual Tax’s, that the Treasury is exhausted, this forces the National Assembly to extraordinary exertions, to avert the ill...
23525John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 21 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, November 21, 1778: The Inspector of Artillery visited the port yesterday to inspect M. Bertin’s cannon. On the basis of appearance alone, their quality seems good, but this must be confirmed by testing. I herewith enclose a list indicating their specifications. Other cannon belonging to the same company made from the same mold can be procured...
23526To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 20 December 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I pray you to excuse the trouble I give you which is indispensable in the line of your Ministry. I have inclosed you the form of the Passports you Granted us, any alterations you may judge proper to incert in Virtue of changes since that period please to make or any other form which may have been addopted in like Cases. I hope to have frequent occation to...
23527John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 29 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Bordeaux, August 29, 1778: I have received your letter of the 19th commissioning the purchase of 56 pieces of cannon. I suspect it will be November before I can collect them. I presume they are for naval use; let me know where to send them. I am without instructions for the General Arnold ; the delays cause very heavy expenses which are charged to me....
23528To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 15 January 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the Honor to write you the Twentieth of last Month requesting a passport for my Brig the York Town which I flatterd myself to receive in Course and delay’d writing you the two posts past in hopes of its coming to hand. Apprehending my Letter may have got mislaid I request the favor that you will please to order the said passport or such other...
23529John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 10 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having a small Sloop call’d the Mongomery Robt. Willis master, that I propose to send back to America Arm’d, not having a Commission for her which I apprehend lays in your power to grant, I take the Liberty to make application to you for One. I propose her to mount Six four pounders to carry thirty Men and otherways properly equipt. I am not determin’d if I...
23530John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 16 June 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honor to write you the 13.13 and 14th Instant. Mr. Emery receiv’d letters from Capt. Cunningham at Corrunha advising their Arrival at that Port from Cadiz having made four Prizes in the Passage. We have it reported the Boston fell in with two privateers, one of eighteen Guns she took, the other got off. I cannot trace it so as give implicite faith. The Jersey Privateers stil continue...
23531John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 23 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since the Letter I had the Honor to write you the 17th Inst. the Liberty Captain Reed arriv’d at this Port from Edenton which place he left the 7 July. He brings no confirmation of the French Fleets arrival such report prevaild but gives it only as french report. As per my last the Cutter General Arnold is all ready and attends the arrival of your...
23532To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 12 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 12 Oct. 1787. Finds the return made by the farmers-general, enclosed in TJ’s letter of 5 Oct. , accurate; the register of the farmers does not indicate the nationality of the ships in which tobacco was imported so he cannot ascertain how much came in French or American ships, only that “the whole has been brought from America”; the “Tare is taken net the Hogsheds being stript as...
23533To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 14 February 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
There are Cases werein Spite of all Opossion means permiting forces our restrictions. The Number of Unfortunate American Seamen in this City drove to dispair by the want of every Necessary calls for publick assistance. The Number of Shipwrecks that have lately happend has sent great numbers of distrest men to apply for relief. A State of Bankruptcy in Trade is not more horid than the Crys of a...
23534John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 12 November 1778 (Adams Papers)
Having concluded with Mr. Schweighauser for the publick freight the two Ships are ready and will proceed the begining of Next Week for Penbeuf. We have apply’d for a Convoy for the Ships which we have room to flatter ourselves will be granted and will thereby secure their passage from hence to the Loire, as there will be no delay at Nantes in the Loading all being ready both to Ship and Load...
23535John Bondfield to the American Commissioners, 12 November 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <La Rochelle, November 12, 1778: I concluded agreements with Mr. Schweighauser for the public freight of the two ships [the Governor Livingston and the Chasseur ] which will proceed to Paimboeuf next week. We, like the merchants of Nantes, have applied for a convoy. These two ships will be very valuable; an application from you should insure the convoy. We...
23536John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 28 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Messrs. Palmes Livingston and Heywood arrived here the 25th by whom I was favor’d with the Letter you honor’d me with under date 15th Instant. In consiquence of your Instructions I have received from Captain Tucker an Indent for the provission the respective officers will attend the examination tomorrow to inspect the quality which with the other articles required I shall endeavour to expedite...
23537To John Adams from John Bondfield, 20 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Arrived this morning a Brig from Philadelphia. By her are Letters for Mr. De Vergenne and Le Ray de Chaumont. No mention of the Operations in Carolina our Letters are 24 Mars she was detaind many days in the River as she left the Bay of Delawar the 23 or 24 April. Congress has assignd a short period for calling in the whole of their Emissions in lieu of which the different States are to Issue...
23538To Benjamin Franklin from John Bondfield, 13 April 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society We have advices from Edenton in No. Carolina so late as the 14th March brought by a Vessel arrived at this port the 9th. One of my Letters contains “It is reported an Attack against Charles Town is preparing by General Green 2000 Militia of this State are orderd imediately to join him and all the Troops from Virginia have marchd up”— The Captain informs me...
23539To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 2 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 2 May 1789 . The ship Le Couteulx , 32 days from Norfolk with 875 hhds. tobacco, brought the enclosed. “She left the Capes the 26 March.” He gave to Short a packet of newspapers addressed to TJ: Short says they “are of old date say 9bre. or Decembre.” They hope for arrivals of wheat and flour from America: “They retard and the wants are Urgent.” American advices say “wheat is very...
23540To Thomas Jefferson from John Bondfield, 25 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I receivd in due Course the honor of your favor of the 20th. May. I have this day given my draft on you favor of M. Parmentier for ?590.8 amount of my advances to which request you will give due honor. A Ship from Alexandria in Virginia arived at this port the 20th. Inst. By the papers up to the 6th. may it appears the back Country is settling very fast. The Crops in Virginia are Reported very...