1755 --
THE MILITARY SUPPLY ACT

Although Pennsylvania had already started the process of distilling its own home-grown rye whiskey, the French & Indian War's Military Supply Act dictated that militiamen be provided with daily rations of rum.  That situation opened the door to the prospect of war profiteering.

Whereas a quart of rum at Dupui's store would sell for 2 shillings, a quart of whiskey was available for a mere 1 shilling and 3 pence... and yet the military was required to purchase rum.

One Gill (4 ounces) of rum was the mandated daily ration.  As to how many gills of rum were sold by Nicholas Dupui during the war years to the military, we don't really know (as the ledger is devoid of wartime entries between September 1755 and April 1758).  What we do know for certain is that a company of militia, under the command of Captain Nicholas Wetterhold, had been stationed at Dupui's establishment, and grumbled about the cost of the rum being sold.

As per Commissary James Young:

Round Depues house is a Large but very Slight, and ill Contriv’d Staccade with a Sweevle Gun mounted on each Corner. M’r Depue was not at home, his Son with a Son of M’r Broadheads keeping house. They express’d themselves as if they thought the Province was oblig’d to them for allowing this Party to be in their house, also made use of very arrogant Expresions of the Commissioners, and the People of Phil’a in General; they seem to make a mere merchandize of the People stationed here, selling Rum at 8d. p’r Gill.

Eight pence per Gill was far from normative.  It would equate to 32 pence per pint, or to 64 pence per quart.  Converted to shillings, that would be a price of 5-1/3 shillings per quart of rum. 

The everyday price of a quart of rum at Dupui's store had always been a mere 2 shillings.  Prices for the military had gone through the roof.  It's no wonder that the military was grumbling about the cost...