New-York Firemen to the Provincial Congress

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New-York, September 8, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: We, firemen of the City of New-York, beg leave to lay our state and condition before you; that we cannot serve two masters — to be drawn out in the military service, and to tend our fire-engines. We desire the same privilege as is granted to us by the act of the Legislature.

We are willing to serve as firemen; and if a general attack should be made upon our City, we are willing and ready to be drawn out with the rest of the citizens; and if that is not agreeable to the honourable Congress, we must lay down firemanship and turn out as soldiers.

We, the subscribers, are officers and foremen of the several engines.

PETER BOGERT,
THEO˙ HARDENBROOK,
WM˙ HARDENBROOK,
GEORGE STANTON,
CHARLES PHILLYS,
ISAAC MEAD,
GUILLIAM VARICK,
ANDREW BELL,
WM˙ J˙ ELLSWORTH.

To the Honourable Provincial Congress.