[1] He was in private practice in Baltimore from 1851 to 1860,[1] and was a leader of the local Know-Nothing party in the 1850s.

[5][6][7] Bond had been an abolitionist since before the Civil War; in his letter, he advocated the enlistment of slaves in the state of Maryland, even though they were not freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, which limited freedom to areas of rebellion.

[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 13, 1870, and received his commission the same day.

[1] Bond was assigned by operation of law to additional and concurrent service on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on June 16, 1891, to a new seat authorized by 26 Stat.

[1] Bond and George S. Bryan presided over the trial of Ku Klux Klan members in Columbia, South Carolina during December 1871.