President and Trustees of the Fire Department, " I have been deputed, by a resolution which has just been read to you, to present on the part of the Common Council, to the Department of which you are officers, this Banner, as a testimonial of their high approbation of the services rendered by the Fire Department, and as evidence of their esteem and regard for the members composing that department. The Fire Department was organised on the 20th day of March, 1798, from which period, to the present time, by its constant vigilance and unceasing and disinterested efforts, the

property of our citizens has been protected. Blended with the important services you have thus rendered, you have also performed the important functions of a charitable institution, having for its object the relief of the widows and orphans of your deceased associates ; the benefits thus conferred by the department have been as extensive, as their intentions were praiseworthy. This occasion, the celebration of the arrival of the Croton water in our city, is happily selected for the presentation of this banner, as it is to be hoped that among the many important benefits to result from that work, not the least will be to relieve your department of a great proportion of its dangerous and arduous duties. The emblems upon this standard are indicative of the foresight and energy of our citizens, and of the services and humanity of the Fire Department. On one side stands the, Q,ueen of Cities, representing the scientific enterprise of our citizens, and pointing to the Croton Dam and Aqueduct, which leads the waters of a distant river to our city, for our protection and