Fort Constitution, October 12th, 1775.
Honourable Gentlemen ー
By order from the Committee of Safety I am up here for the purpose of constructing this fort; said gentlemen gave me their words that I should be appointed principal engineer for this Province, with the rank and pay of colonel. As I have been now actually engaged in this work since the 29th August last, I should be glad to know the certainty of my appointment, and therefore humbly pray that my commission may be made and sent. I have left the pursuit of my own business, which was very considerable, and endangered my pension from the crown, by engaging in our great and common cause; these matters considered, I hope my request will be thought reasonable, and therefore complied with. I remain, with the utmost respect, [&c.]
B. Romans.
1. New York Provincial Congress, I, 174.