Benjamin Franklin Papers

To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Bond, Jr., 5 June 1778

From Thomas Bond, Jr.1

ALS: American Philosophical Society

Bethlehem June 5. 1778

Dear Sir,

This will be handed you by Doctor Jacob Rieger who goes Via France to Germany to look after a small Patrimony he has there as well as to improve himself in his Profession.2 He served a regular and faithful Apprenticeship to your old friend my Father, who is very well. I shall be exceedingly obliged by your introducing him to some Medical Gentlemen in France. I have had the Honor of serving in the American Army for two Years in the different Capacities of Surgeon and assistant Director General of the General Hospital. The latter is My present Employment, and I have the Happiness to assure you that we want nothing for our sick or wounded Brethren, but Pocket Instruments, Scalpells, Needles, and Lancetts. I have given Dr. Rieger directions to purchase some and ship them to My Address. I shall be very Much Obliged by your or Mr. Dean’s paying for them and if you have an earlier Opportunity of sending them that you will do it as they are very much wanted; I had the Pleasure of spending a Day with Mr. Bache last Week in Manheim, the family were all well, we are in hourly Expectation of returning to Philadelphia, the British Army are certainly about evacuating it. I have the Honor to be Dear Sir, Your Most Obedient humble Servant

Thos: Bond jr.
Ass. Dir. Genl.

[In the margin:] Mrs. Venables and my Mother3 beg to present their Compliments to you Sir.
Dr. Franklin

Addressed: Benjamin Franklin Esqr. / Paris / Dr. Rieger

Endorsed: Tho. Bond, junr.

1The son of Dr. Thomas Bond and one of Sally Bache’s circle for many years: above, XII, 225. He was serving at the time under the deputy director general of military hospitals: JCC, XI, 504.

2RB, in his of May 1, had also recommended the doctor.

3Sarah Roberts Bond has appeared fleetingly in earlier volumes. Mrs. Venables was probably some relative of the Bonds, who expected to inherit from her; but they kept the old lady, according to Mrs. Joseph Galloway, in a state bordering on destitution: PMHB, LVIII (1934), 165–6.

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