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The BonVivant's Companion
COCKTAILS
GEORGE WASHINGTON
Ini 776Washingtonshippedan unruly negro to the West Indies,
and wrote the captain of the vessel as foUows:
"With this letter comes a negro (Tom) which I beg the favor
of you to seU in anyof the Islands youmaygo to, for whatever he
will fetch, and bring me in return for him:
One hhd of best molasses
One ditto of best rum
One barrelof lymes—if goodand cheap
One pot of tamarinds, containing about 10lbs
One small ditto of mised sweetmeats,—about 5 lbs each
—and the residue—much or little, in goodoldspirits."
Shortly before this time Washington was a candidate for the
Legislature. There was then aVirginia statute forbidding treating
thevoters, or bribery at elections, anddeclaring illegal all elections
thus obtained, yet thefollowing is thebill of theliquorWashington
furnished the voters of Frederick:
40gallons of RumPunch at 3s. 6d.
7.00
15 gallons ofWineat los. pergal
7.00
Dinner for your friends
3.00
r3Yz gallons of Wine at ios.
6.15
13 gallons of beer at is. 3d.
8 quarts Cider Punch at is. 6d.
Punches
30 gallons of strong beer at 8d. per gal
26 gallons best Barbadoes Rum at 5s.
6.10
12 lbsSFefd sugar is. 6d.
3gallons and 3quartsof beer at is. per gal
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4.4.2
16.3
3-9
i.o
18.9
3-9