1933 The Bon Vivant's Companion by George A Zabriskie

The Bon "Vivant's Companion

22

Qeorge Washington^

In 1776 Washington shipped an unruly negro to the West Indies, and wrote the captain of the vessel as fol lows: "With this letter comes a negro (Tom) which 1 beg the favor of you to sell in any of the Islands you may go to, for whatever he will fetch, and bring me in return for him: One hhd of best molasses One ditto of best rum One barrel of lymes—if good and cheap One pot of tamarinds, containing about 10 lbs One small ditto of mixed sweetmeats,—about 5 lbs each—and the residue—much or little, in good old spirits." Shortly before this time Washington was a candidate for the Legislature. There was then a Virginia statute forbidding treating the voters, or briberyat elec5tions, and declaring illegal all eledions thus obtained, yet the fol lowing is the bill of the liquor Washington furnished the voters of Frederick: 40 gallonsof Rum Punch at 3s. 6d. 7.00 15 gallons of Wine at 1Os. per gal 7.00 Dinner for your friends 3.00 13H gallons of Wine at 10s. 6.15 13 gallons of beer at 1s. 3d. 4.4.2 8 quarts Cider Punch at 1s. 6d. 16.3 Punches 3.9