478 Letters to Benjamin Franklin 



From John Bondfield to The American Commissioners. 

 1778. August 17. Bordeaux. 



Captain Ayres very ill ; fears he will not be able to proceed to sea ; 

 the vessel will be ready to sail by Saturday. A. L. S. 2 p. XI, 52. 



From John Bondfield to The American Commissioners. 



1778. August 17. Bordeaux. 



Desires their instructions in case Captain Ayres's health does not 

 permit him to proceed to sea. Concerning a plan he had the honor 

 to lay before them, the results of which would tend toward the 

 restoration to confidence of the currency of America. A. L. S. 3 p. 



XI, 53. 



From [Mrs.] R. Parsons. 1778. August 17. Paris. 



Applies again for assistance, and gives the most pitiable account of 

 her destitute and miserable condition. A. L. S. 3 p. XI, 54. 



From James Moylan to The American Commissioners. 



1778. August 17. L'Orient. 



News just received from Virginia; the enemy's ships still in the 

 Delaware ; Count d'Estaing's fleet daily expected ; General Washing- 

 ton's army consists of 18,000 men; the people in high spirits and the 

 money increasing in value. A. L. S. i p. (In duplicate.) 



XI, 55 and 56. 



From La Douairiere Duchesse de Deux-Ponts, Comtesse de Forbach. 



1778. August 18. Forbach. 



Anxious for news of him. Asks for news of her young nephew, 

 M. de Fontevieux, who sailed on the " Duchesse de Grammont." A. 

 L. S. 3 p. (In French.) XI, 57- 



From [C. G. F.] Dumas to The American Commissioners. 

 1778. August 18. The Hague. 



His letter to M. Van Berkel (2 p.), acknowledging his friendly 

 efforts on behalf of America, announcing the scornful rejection by 

 the Americans of England's proposals, and dwelling on the danger 

 of Holland losing certain commercial advantages with America by 

 their too great caution. A. L. S. i p. (In French.) XXXIX, 43. 



