Robert Carter writes to merchant James Arbuckle, probably locatedin Liverpool, July 18, 1720, concerning wine that he has receivedwhich he considers "tollerable considering twas the Lowest price" butcondemning the brandy which was terrible. He suggests to Arbucklethat his supplier switched brandy after Arbuckle tasted it. He addsthat he no longer drinks claret because he believes it contributes togout, and requests that Arbuckle send him good white wine, notingthat it does not keep well in the colony.

     I received Yors. by Captn. Galewth. the wine and brandy
order'd me by Mr. Perry of London, The wine was tollerable consid=
=ering twas the Lowest price but The brandy Stark naught. such I never mett [sic]
wth. before that bore the name of French brandy. The person Youbot. It
of Certainly chang'd It or mixt it after You had tasted It Ihave ord=
=er'd Mr. Perry not ^to Direct for any more Clarrett for me having quite
left of drinking That wine, out of the beleif I have It is a great
Propagatorto the Gout, You seem to be of another opinion, &
resolve toDrink on. may we both have the Good luck to hitt [sic]
Each his particular Constitution. I Drinkwhite wine when I can meet
wth. any that is good and Fresh, butIt ^{dos not} bearAge well at all wth. us
It turns brown and looses the brisknessof Its Taste, If You have the
opportunity of sending me ahogshead or two of righ[t] good white wine
I should be very willing to have It by some of the Glasgow men
who touch at Yor. Port. Mr. Pemberton willpay You for It wch. is the
needfull at present from --