University of Virginia Library

9119. WHISKY, Commutation.—[continued].

[As to] your application
for spirits, there is not a hogshead belonging to
the State, but very great quantities are in the
hands of the Continental commissaries. I have
special returns of upwards of twenty thousand
gallons delivered them by the Commissioners
* * * and [there are] no doubt great quantities
of which there is no return. * * * I
would observe to you that Baron Steuben informed
me in conversation that spirit would
be allowed as a part of the daily ration, but only
on particular occasions.—
To General Nelson. Ford ed., ii, 436.
(R. 1781)