| Citation |
PP-P.776.012
4 Mar 1776:23, 24 (5/228)
To the Honourable the Representatives of the Freemen of the
Province of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met.
The Memorial of the Officers and Military Association of the
City and Liberties of Philadelphia,
Sheweth, . . . [3 paragraphs provide a response to the
recommendations made for changes to the regulations]
That the wages appointed for Drummers and Fifers are so
extremely triffling that no persons can be procured to do
the duty, and our Battalions are almost totally deprived of
their music, as the Drummers and Fifers have left the
Association to get employ where they receive pay on which
they can subsist. That the Drummers and Fifers are in
general persons who have no other way of gaining a
livelihood; and as much time is taken up in perfecting
themselves they ought, we conceive, instead of casual and
uncertain pay, to have a permanent and settled support.
Your memorialists therefore pray the Honourable House, to
raise the wages of the Drum- and Fife-Majors, and allow the
Drummers and Fifers reasonable and constant pay, that
persons already taught may be induced to join the
Association, and that others may be inlisted to qualify
themselves for this part of military duty, which is not
merely parade but absolutely essential to the service.
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