Sellers & Pennock to Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough
Dear Sir
Philadelphia Aug 11. 1827
Your Esteemed favour of the 4th. inst. Relative to Fire Apparatus most suitable for the Use
of your University, claims our best attention, Under all the circumstances of the Case, we
are induced to Recommend the Hydraulion of 16 Man Power as preferable to any other form
of Engine within our knowledge it being the most simple Eficient and Economical
Araingment of the forcing pump now in use, having a Reel capable of carrying from 800 to
1,000 feet of hose, and costing but 450 Dollars . It will deliver as much water with as good
an efect as the Double Chamber Engine which Costs 650 to 700 Dollars, we beg leave to
Refer you to the annexed list of prices and Circular, as also the plate which is a description
or plain of that Class Hyraulion, with the manner of opperation.--We are building, One large
Hyraulion for the City of Richmond, and two do. for Alexandria in Virginia with 3 to 4,000.
feet of hose &c &c--also One 16 man power Hyl. for Washington City[877]--Respectfully
and Sincerely, Your friends
Sellers & Pennock
owing to the engagements now on hand it is doubtfull wether we could execute an order
before the Coming Winter--C Sellers--
LS, ViU:PP, 1p, with address "Arthur S. Brockenbrough University Virginia" and ASB
docket "Sellers & Pennock Augt. 11. 1827--" The Philadelphia postmark is dated 12 August.
Above the letter Brockenbrough wrote an estimate of the cost of the hydraulion, $450 for
the engine, $120 for 200 feet of hose, for a total of $570. The LS and its cover is written on
the back of the two-page printed circular and list of prices for the hydraulion. Sellers &
Pennock's separate one-page printed circular for preserving the hose follows the list of
prices for the hydraulion.
[877]
877. The firm of Sellers & Pennock apparently furnished the city of Richmond with fire
fighting equipment as well. See Coleman Sellers to Coleman Sellers, Jr., 16 January 1828.
