From John Bondfield (unpublished)
Bordeaux 18 June 1789
Sir

I received in due Course the Honor of your favor of the 7 June 1788. Mess. Grand and Co. per their Letter of the 2 Inst. advise of their holding at my disposal the amount of the Invoice of your Wine. That Accompt of consiquence stands ballanct.

It is with sincere satisfaction we perceive by advices from your side the water the cordiality that reigns in the Grand Departments of your Union which promises ground Works for a lasting fabrick. By the Motions in the House of representatives, there appears in a certain chain too earnest application to the pecuniaire Interest, it is a branch that will naturaly call the attention of the House when once establisht Laws are past for the Excecutif Powers. Mr. Fitsimons and some other commercial Members appear soly attentif to that part of administration, it is not doubted but great injury arises from the retard of Liquidations. It cannot be expected that a nation reduced by every Calamity attendant on a revolution affected by force can in a short period discharge the engagements contracted. A few years Retard providing for the Interest will give time to form ways and means less burthensome than precipitat[ed] measures. By the present Motion for raising a revenue none but very wealthy Merchants can be interested in the Imports, the amount of the Duties becoming a Capital too great to be advanct by them who have none, and will cause a Specie of Monopoly that will contract the Import branch to few hands wile there decrease Imports and consiquently the Revenue built[?] on that Resourse. A work on this Subject having for title De l’Administration provincial et de la Reform de l’Impot, by Monsr. Le Trone, has caused a great impression. Mr. Necker it is said greatly favors the System, but circumstances in france dont admit addopting them without great Modification. America having a New Birth may frame any Mold most suiting. The most simple produces the clearest Revenue and is every way the lighest burthen. Here are no younger Branches of families or other cloggs on the Society that forces a Government to addopt Vicious pursuits every Act may be created that can best answer the publick Good.

Indeed I have the honor to transmit you the proceedings of the Etats Genereaux Assembled at Versailles, great disunion in the three Orders, the Communes appears to Act on principles very distant from them hitherto regarded as foundamental to Monarchy. The debats frequently produces pieces of Eloquence and deep Erudition. Great Interests are Contested. The parliaments in all appearance will be the Body whose powers will be principally attended too, who under the fiction of defending the National Rights ussurpt in favor of themselves powers and privalidges more burthensome than unlimited power in one head.

With due Respect and with sincere Gratitude and attachment I have the Honor to be Sir Your most Obedient Servant

John Bondfield

Endorsed: Bondfield June 89
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