To George Washington from John Bradford, 26 April 1779
From John Bradford
Boston 26th April 1779
Sir
The Chance of War has put in my possession a quarter Cask of Wine ship’d at Malaga1 designed for General Clintons own use, in the same vessel I found a keg of the Essence of lemon juice design’d also for him, my happiness wou’d have been proportionably greater, if it had been a pipe instead of a quarter Cask, your acceptance of those Articles will confer a favour on him, who has the honor to be with the most perfect Respect Your Excellencys Most Obedt & very hble servt
Jno. Bradford
Mr D.Q.M. Chase has sent foward the Articles.2
ALS, DLC:GW; LB, DLC: John Bradford Letter Books.
1. Wines produced from the many varieties of grapes grown in the province of Málaga in southern Spain were highly prized.
2. GW replied from headquarters at Middlebrook on 30 May: “I am much obliged by your letter of the 26th of April.
“The present is particularly acceptable, especially the lemon essence at this season” (Df, in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript [misdated 1780], DLC:GW).