John Bondfield to the American Commissioners
ALS: American Philosophical Society
<Bordeaux, November 28, 1778: We are without interesting
intelligence. Because of their heavy losses the merchants here
must reduce their exports, to the detriment of the United
States. Only three small cutters belonging to Virginia have
sailed in the past three months. A 24-gun vessel of Beaumarchais
& Co. sails to join their Fier Roderigue and Drake at
Rochefort. Reinforced by two frigates, they will make a fine
convoy for our ships at Nantes. Letters from Brittany confirm
that La Motte Piquet has intercepted the Jamaica fleet. English
ships keep together so that no valuable vessel is left
alone. The farmers general doubt that supplies of tobacco
from other places will make up for the short supplies from
Virginia. They are pressuring to contract with the holders of
the tobacco for future purchase before a rise in price takes
place.>
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