Letters to Benjamin Franklin 51 



From John Bondfield. 1779. March 27. Bordeaux. 



Arrival of Captain Jones in quest of seamen and cannon ; he ex- 

 pressed a great desire to have the cannon at present being cast by 

 Franklin's order; news of a quantity of cannon for sale at Ferol. A. 

 L. S. 2 p. XIII, 226. 



From Chevalier de Forstuer. 1779. March 28. Munich. 



His military experience ; obliged to withdraw^ from the army on 

 account of his health; devoted himself to inventing machinery of 

 various kinds; has lately invented a new^ kind of ramrod for loading 

 cannon ; is w^illing to sell this valuable secret for a thousand louis. 

 A. L. S. 4 p. (In French.) XIII, 227. 



From Neydecker. 1779. March 28. Deuxponts. 



Desires to serve in the American army. A. L. S. 2 p. (In 

 French. ) 



A. E. by Franklin. Thanking him for offer of services; army full, 

 etc. ; cannot give him any encouragement. XIII, 228. 



From P[ierre] Landais. 1779. March 28. Brest. 



Landed the thirty-eight mutineers; is getting ready to sail for Nantes 

 as fast as possible; has only had the most necessary repairs attended to; 

 will await Franklin's orders at Nantes. A. L. S. i p. XIII, 229. 



Froin Gellee [pere]. 1779. March 28. Chalons. 



Congratulating him on his appointment as Minister; the most im- 

 portant point in the choice of an Ambassador is his popularity among 

 the people to whom he is sent; the esteem in which Franklin is held 

 by the French people would alone insure his success. Hopes his son 

 will prove himself worthy of Franklin's confidence. A. L. S. 2 p. 

 (In French.) XIII, 230. 



From [C. G. F.] D[uinas]. 1779. March 28. The Hague. 



The different votes in the Holland Assembly; believes they will 

 come to no decision until forced to it by the effect of the regulations 

 in France. A. L. S. i p. (In French.) XXXIX, 89. 



