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Letter to Editor
January 8, 1803
Rhode Island Republican
Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
A letter from 'A FIRE WARD' urges Newport citizens to address fire risks in their wooden town by subscribing to buy a superior fire engine, as current ones are outdated and inadequate.
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COMMUNICATION.
Fellow-Citizens, the preservation of a town like ours, whose buildings are mostly composed of wooden materials, requires the strictest attention in securing its safety against fires. In case of alarm, our hopes and reliance to arrest the destructive progress of the flames is placed entirely upon the Engines, and the active exertions of the citizens. It is true that our fellow-citizens always manifest the greatest activity & undaunted zeal on the like occasions, for which they merit the highest applause.-- But what can be said, as it respects our placing such reliance upon the Engines of the town of Newport? When in fact it is acknowledged by every individual of observation, that all of them are of ancient construction, (and excepting one of the number) not in reality calculated to answer the public expectation. Every citizen is aware of the incalculable injury the town is liable to sustain in case fire should break out, in the compact part of it; but alas! the idea of a trivial expense has hitherto operated to discourage the attempt of providing at least one Engine of the first rate. Let us now, fellow-citizens, be aroused to a sense of the danger to which we are exposed on account of fires. and with one voice decide upon measures being immediately taken to promote a Subscription for the purpose of purchasing an Engine of the first rate.
A FIRE WARD.
Fellow-Citizens, the preservation of a town like ours, whose buildings are mostly composed of wooden materials, requires the strictest attention in securing its safety against fires. In case of alarm, our hopes and reliance to arrest the destructive progress of the flames is placed entirely upon the Engines, and the active exertions of the citizens. It is true that our fellow-citizens always manifest the greatest activity & undaunted zeal on the like occasions, for which they merit the highest applause.-- But what can be said, as it respects our placing such reliance upon the Engines of the town of Newport? When in fact it is acknowledged by every individual of observation, that all of them are of ancient construction, (and excepting one of the number) not in reality calculated to answer the public expectation. Every citizen is aware of the incalculable injury the town is liable to sustain in case fire should break out, in the compact part of it; but alas! the idea of a trivial expense has hitherto operated to discourage the attempt of providing at least one Engine of the first rate. Let us now, fellow-citizens, be aroused to a sense of the danger to which we are exposed on account of fires. and with one voice decide upon measures being immediately taken to promote a Subscription for the purpose of purchasing an Engine of the first rate.
A FIRE WARD.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Informative
What themes does it cover?
Infrastructure
What keywords are associated?
Fire Safety
Newport
Fire Engines
Subscription
Citizen Action
Wooden Buildings
What entities or persons were involved?
A Fire Ward.
Fellow Citizens
Letter to Editor Details
Author
A Fire Ward.
Recipient
Fellow Citizens
Main Argument
the town's outdated fire engines pose a severe risk to newport's wooden structures; citizens should immediately subscribe to purchase a first-rate engine to enhance fire safety.
Notable Details
Town Buildings Mostly Wooden
Engines Ancient Except One
Citizens' Zeal Praised But Reliance On Engines Questioned
Trivial Expense Has Discouraged Action