Note 5 — Chapter II
Reading edition
This Ben Harrison afterwards married Miss Randolph, of Wilton, and was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was fond of the good things of this life, and was a high liver. Mr. Madison used to tell, with great glee, the following good story about him: While a member of the first Congress, which met in Philadelphia, he was on one occasion joined by a friend as he left the congressional hall. Wishing to ask his friend to join him in a bumper, he took him to a certain place where supplies were furnished to the members of Congress, and called for two glasses of brandy-and-water. The man in charge replied that liquors were not included in the supplies furnished to Congressmen.
"Why," asked Harrison, "what is it, then, that I see the New England members come here and drink?"
"Molasses and water, which they have charged as stationery," was the reply.
"Very well," said Harrison, "give me the brandy-and-water, and charge it as fuel."