John Hans DeLap , along with his brother Samuel, procured supplies in Bordeaux, France and sent them to his brothers in Jamaica, who then transferred them to Boston. They were born in Letterkenny, Ireland and are brothers of Robert and William DeLap of Jamaica. Son of Rev. Samuel Delap of Rawn, or Raan, Co. Donegal, Presbyterian Minister of Letterkenny, and Sarah his wife. Younger brothers of Robert Delap. They were in direct contact with Ben Franklin.

From Congressional Archives

To Benjamin Franklin from William MacCreery, 6 March 1779

Bordeaux 6 March 1779

Sir

I had the honor to address your Excellency some short time ago on the subject of Port Duties here chargeable on sundry goods shipp’d by the Subjects of the United States of America.7 Since that time the Ship Buckskin is arrived at this Port, and will be ready in a very short time to take her Cargo on board; and least your Excellency shou’d not be able to procure the desired regulations on the Shipping of Salt &c. I wou’d beg of you to procure a permission from the Minister, for Saml. and John Hans Delap & William MacCreery, to load on the Ship Buckskin, Aquilla Johns Master,8 Three Thousand Six Hundred Bushels, or one Hundred & fifty Tons of Salt, free of Duties.

This Ship carrys 22 Nine Pounders, will be well Man’d. Shou’d there be any Goods belonging to the States to go on Freight to Maryland, think she wou’d be an exceeding good & safe conveyance, as any that has yet offerd; as she Sails remarkably fast, having been constructed for Cruizing. She will have nothing to detain her here above a Month, provided the order for loading the Salt, be had in due time. I have the Honor to be, with the utmost respect, Your Excellency most Obedient and most Humble Servant, Will MacCreery

Addressed: His Excellency / Benjamin Franklin / Plenipotentiary from the U. S. of A. / Versailles

 "I believe you will agree with me that an agent for Congress ought to be in the first place, a punctual Man with a good Capital of his own, be in good Credit, have the best connections abroad and at home and have an inclination to do every Service in his power to America. Such a Man there is in Bordeaux. I mean Mr. Delap who continues agreeable to His Fathers will the Firm of S and J H Delap."