Signed Manuscript Letter Regarding a Plan for Fighting Fire in Boston.

Letter sheets (8" x 12") 3 pages plus integral address leaf. Extensive tape repairs to folds, mostly archival tape, but some regular tape too, which has caused a little browning in areas, long tear obscures writers signature, but partially visible, creased, normal aging and browning, remnant of wax seal; otherwise good or better. The letter is to Boston Mayor Josiah Quincy (1772-1864), a future head of Harvard and served eight years in Congress. It appears after becoming Boston's mayor he sent delegates to New York and Philadelphia to study fire fighting techniques in those cities. The author of this letter read about this mission, and sent Mayor Quincy a lengthy letter on the subject. The probable author is Solon Robinson (1803-1880), although his signature is partially obscured by a tear. However, on the back page, a smudged docketed note identifies him as Solon Robertson or Robinson. Robinson was a writer, and would become a well known Indiana pioneer. In any case, the author would suggest a far more modern system for fighting fires, than the existing practice of engines carrying water to fires, which would become useless when the water ran out. he proposed putting lead aqueduct pipes "laid deep underground and leading to every part of the city." While her does not use the term fire hydrants, the water would be accessed from locked iron covers that would serve that function. ABN.