Bordeaux 28 April 1778
Hond Sirs
Messrs. Palmes Livingston and Heywood1 arrived here the 25th by whom I was favor’d with the Letter you honor’d me with under date 15th Inst.
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 in the course of this week The Mast has thrown the work much Back2 We have received no inteligence from the Out Ports having no Arrivals since my last I have the honor to be [&c.]
John Bondfield
L, MHi, Adams Papers. Addressed at top: “The Honble. Benj. Franklin Arthur Lee John Adams} Esqrs.”
1. Marine Capt. Richard Palmes, Lt. Musco Livingston, and probably William Haywood, who later went into business with Bondfield. Benjamin Franklin Papers 26: 278n.
2. On 21 Apr. Capt. Samuel Tucker discovered that the main mast of the Continental Navy frigate Boston was badly damaged and needed to be replaced. It was not until 6 May that the new mast was set in place. See Journal of Continental Navy frigate Boston, 21, 22, 23 and 24 Apr., all above, and 6 May, below.
