Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 7

To William Vernon Jr.

Richard Grinnell to the Commissioners
John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 15 September 1778 Bondfield, John Franklin, Benjamin Lee, Arthur JA First Joint Commission at Paris

1778-09-15

 John Bondfield to the Commissioners, 15 September 1778 Bondfield, John Franklin, Benjamin Lee, Arthur Adams, John First Joint Commission at Paris
John Bondfield to the Commissioners
Sirs Bordeaux 15 Sept 1778

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 entire of the English Forces would fall into the hands of United Allied Forces.1

36

With due respect I have the honor to be Sirs Your most Obedient Humble Servt

John Bondfield

I attended the last earthly services to Capt. Ayres the 13th instant who I had decently Interd as is allow'd to Protestants at this place.

Mr. W. Franklins Commission will be forwarded this Week.2

RC (PPAmP: Franklin Papers); addressed: “The Honble Benj. Franklin Arthur Lee John Adams Esq Commissioners from Congress at Paris”; docketed, not by JA: “Bondfield Sept. 15. 78.”

1.

An overoptimistic report; see Bondfield's letter to the Commissioners, 8 Sept., and note 1 (above).

 2.

Bondfield is presumably speaking of William Temple Franklin, but his meaning is unclear. No commission or mention of one for Temple Franklin has been found.