From the journals of Nicholas Cresswell, a British traveler in the North American colonies quoted in And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails
“I thought it might make a great 4th of July post for American Drink since it takes place in 1776, demonstrates America’s extremely drunk heritage, and is kind of hilarious.”
From friend of American Drink, Buzz Anderson.
Have a happy 4th of July, America.
“Have been genteely treated and am now going to be drunk. This is the first time.”
November 30, 1775
“All of us got most feloniously drunk.”
January 6, 1776
“Went to bed about two o’clock in the afternoon, stupidly drunk.”
-January 7, 1776
“Spent evening at the Tavern…. A confounded mad frolic.”
-February 19, 1776
“Got most feloniously drunk. This is a bad preface to the new volume of my diary.”
-October 1, 1776
“A very mad frolic this evening. Set the house on fire three times and broke Mr. Dream’s leg… got drunk and committed a number of foolish actions.”
-November 19, 1776
