Columbia ©nit)ergttp THE LIBRARIES jHebical librarp Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Open Knowledge Commons http://www.archive.org/details/documentsinmatteOOhosa DOCUMENTS IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION TO THE HONOURABLE THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK, FOR A Charter FOR MANHATTAN COLLEGE. NEW- YORK : PRINTED BY J. SEYMOUR. 1829. . Cr/ TO THE HONOURABLE THE -EGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY CONVENED J THE PETITION OF David Hosack, William James Macneven, Valentine Mott^ '^ John W. Francis^ and John Griscom^ "^ HUMBLY SHEWETH, That the before named individuals having united together for the purpose of teaching the principles of Medicine by public lectures, did, in the year 1826, cause to be erected in the City of New- York a building expressly adapted for such use, at their own private cost, and upon which they have, up to the present time, expended the sum of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars. That as it is essential, in consequence of the tenor of our laws, to the existence of an Institution of this kind, that it should have the power of con- ferring the Degree of Doctor of Medicine, anS as the Legislature of New- York was not then in session, and would not be until long after the period for ob- taining a class would have passed, a connection was formed between the undersigned and Rutgers Col- lege. Under this arrangement the first course of lectures was delivered by the undersigned to a class of one hundred and thirty students, chiefly citizens of New- York, and also before various individuals, members of the medical profession, all of whom have borne testimony to the faithfulness with which the duties of the undersigned were performed, and the excel- lence of the accommodations offered for the use of those engaged in medical studies. In consequence of the act passed by the Legisla- ture in 1827, against the degrees granted by Rutgers College, to individuals recommended for such de- grees by the undersigned, the same reasons which caused them to seek a connexion with Rutgers Col- lege induced them to apply for protection to a re- spectable College within this state. Geneva College acceded to the request, and they fondly hoped that they should now be left to take such standing as might be impartially awarded to their deserts. Notwithstanding the doubt and difficulties caused by persons interested to oppose their efforts, the class of medical students attending during the session of 1827-8, was one hundred and twenty-eight, princi- pally citizens of New-York. There is a still increased number the present term, amounting to one hundred and thirty-seven. The undersigned have seen with unfeigned regret, that, in the revised laws, the Legislature passed an act apparently designed to deprive them of the pri- vilege of labouring for the public good at their own expense, and with no other means of success than their most strenuous exertions to render themselves useful and acceptable to the public. Convinced that your Honourable Body feel highly interested in the diffusion of sound and useful knowledge, and satis- fied of your willingness to render justice and protect the rights of the humblest citizen, they venture to call your attention to a few circumstances having imme- diate bearing upon their case. The principles of the government under v^hich they have the blessing to live, are such as to secure to every citizen the privilege of exercising his talents and industry in any honourable and useful calling so long as he neither directly or indirectly interferes vi^ith the rights of others. Experience has clearly proved that the exercise of this invaluable privilege has universally tended to elevate the character, and augment the resources of the country which pro- tects it. The medical profession derives its excellence from the united labours and experience of all those who are devoted to its cultivation. Those who are most experienced and most learned, have it most in their power to benefit students. If the right of teaching be exclusively given to a few, either by direct enact- ment, or by throwing disqualifications upon others; if those who have expended their best days, and a con- siderable portion of their earnings in search of pro- fessional knowledge, are to be excluded by law from competition and emulation, from aspiring to the ho- nours and rewards in the free gift of the profession, whence is the improvement and advancement of the profession to be expected ? The instances occurring recently in neighbouring states, are immediately in point. When the Jefferson College in Philadelphia petitioned for a charter, the University of Pennsylvania and its friends were ex- ceedingly alarmed, and set forth various manifestos, showing, by very plausible arguments, that it would be highly dangerous to the profession, and injurious to the general public, to grant the request of the pe- titioners. But this charter was granted, and the two schools have since flourished in the same city, with- out^ the least injurious collision — the places of emu- lation, emolument, and honour, were doubled to men of talent, and the interests of the citizens, the Uni- versity, and the students of medicine, have been ex- tensively and obviously benefited. The University of Pennsylvania immediately increased her accom- modations — appointed additional and able teachers without adding to the expenses of the students, and in every particular augmented the energy of her ad- ministration. The classes have annually increased since the establishment of the second school — the new College has been respectably attended also, and none of the evils so much deprecated in theory have ever occurred. Nearly the same remarks are applicable to what has taken place in Maryland. A new College has been established in Baltimore, where the flourishing University of Maryland is situate. But this has not led to special or oppressive enactments. The Uni- versity of Maryland is proud to rely on her own merits for support — and the new College exhibits an equal willingness to rise or fall on the same ground. Competition or emulation between scientific insti- tutions tends more to the immediate promotion of the public good, than rivalry between institutions of any other character. Its immediate influence is to ren- der all those engaged more industrious in seeking after knowledge, and more zealous to make it ac- ceptable to others. Every improvement on one side leads to a desire to equal or excel on the other, and the results of these mutual efforts are at once ren- dered productively useful to the public. The sources of wealth to teachers of medicine, and under the government of these states— //ic only legitimate claim to public favour and preference, are the superiority of talent they are able to display, and the paramount advantages they are able to offer to such as require medical education. No better proof of the certainty with which such a claim receives its due return is required, than in the case of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania. In that state there are no laws regulating the practice of medicine — the Uni- versity confers a degree, which is merely an honour that involves no privilege at home or abroad. Yet solely on her high and well maintained reputation — exclusively on the individual merits of her respective professors — she collects annually a large tribute of wealth from all the states in the union — but, still bet- ter, she sheds over the vast region of our country an increasing halo of glory, by the multitudes of accom- plished pupils she annually sends forth. They might now venture to state that experience has already shown, that two schools in the City of New-York are both useful and necessary. A similar spirit of emulation to that manifested elsewhere has been already exhibited — efforts to excel are made on each side, and medical students, having it in their power to compare teachers of the same branches with each other, learn how to appreciate the best, and where to look for the greatest advantages. The utmost harmony has prevailed between professors and students, the classes have exhibited their satis- faction at the increase of opportunities, and the pro- fession have expressed their approbation of the re- suits of the competition. The aggregate number of medical students collected in the City of New- York, is greater this time than on any former session. Your Honourable Body has heretofore been ad- dressed by those who have stated that but one or two schools of medicine were required in this state. This view, entirely erroneous, derives its origin from narrow and selfish policy ; as if a medical school of proper celebrity was expected to derive its support from a single state. But the schools of London, Pa- ris, Edinburgh, Berlin, and Philadelphia, are centres of afiiux to all the rest of the civilized world : and in proportion to the degree of talent and excellence displayed will be the honour and remuneration, though there were five hundred instead of two schools. — The sole motive of those who oppose the free exer- cise of talent, and who ask for exclusive privilege, is ' to prevent the lessening of profits by the decline in price which must result from competition. But who is it that is to fear such reduction } Certainly not those who feel persuaded that the attractions they have to offer will, by the increase of numbers, com- pensate for the reduction of individual fees. Is it the representatives of a republican people who are to grant monopolies, as if the diffusion of useful knowledge would be too general ? Is it in America that the public authorities shall say, that the exer- tions of A, B, C, or D, shall be forbidden, in order that E, F, and G may have larger fees, and be saved from the labour of competition with scientific rivals? Is it in New-York, where the death-blow was given to one of the most plausible monopolie& that ever existed, that the light of science is to be restricted to ^w;o institutions? — Reduced to its actual condition, such is the state of this case. Almost all medical institutions (except those of New-York, at present) depend for their success upon the merits of the teachers belonging to them. If this state -passes laws for the purpose of withholding others from teaching, the effect is to deprive students, those in- terested, from seeking to act for their own greatest good, by choosing the institution in which they may be best served, and is conferring a monopoly as un- just and as hateful, as it would be for this state to de- clare where we should purchase our goods — where we should send our children to school — what church we should go to, or any other evil of similar cha- racter. What is it that the undersigned ask of your Ho- nourable Body.'^ It is to be freed from oppression; it is to be allowed the exercise of their talents to serve the public, if that public be willing to employ them. They ask most respectfully for themselves what is the unalienable right of all, and of which they have not the least wish to prevent all others from being possessed. They solicit your Honourable Body to give them a Charter which will place them in a condition in which they cannot have success unless they have merit. Finally,they most respectfully entreat your Honour- able Body to regard this their petition with a single view to the public good. — As the law intends no more than that the public shall be protected from injury, they solicit the Legislature, in its wisdom, to make qualification the sole test of the fitness to prac- tise, — instead of the question, to what individuals or in what institutions candidates have paid their fees. Your petitioners beg leave to be distinctly under- 10 stood as asking no money from the Legislature, and no exclusive privilege, but simply requesting your Honourable Body to constitute them, their associ- ates and successors, a body corporate, by the name of Manhattan College^ v^^ith powder of conferring de- grees of equal validity with those of any other Me- dical College in the state, or elsewhere, of filling vacancies, making their own by-laws, of holding real and personal estate to the value of one hundred thousand dollars, and of making such other regula- tions as may be found requisite for the ends of their association. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. DAVID HOSACK, M.D. WILLIAM J. MACNEVEN, M.D. VALENTINE MOTT, M.D. JOHN W. FRANCIS, M.D. JOHN GRISCOM, LL. D. NEw-YoRK,Jan. 8, 1829. (No. 1.) To THE Honourable MARTIN VAN BEUREN GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF KEW-YORK. The undersigned, Professors of the Rutgers Me- dical Faculty of Geneva College, New-York, are desirous of making known to your Excellency the grounds upon which they think proper to apply to the Honourable the Legislature for an independent Charter, with full and ample powers to confer Medi- cal degrees with as extensive rights and privileges as those conferred by similar institutions in this state or elsewhere. Four of your petitioners, to wit, David Hosack^ William James Macneven, Valentine Mott, and John W. Francis, have been for many years engaged in the duties of medical education under the sanction of the constituted authorities of the state. A fifth, to wit, John Griscom, has been long known as a public teacher of chemical science, and is now engaged in the responsible duties of instruction in the New- York High School as Principal thereof, with what success let the several reports drawn up by many of the most intelligent and respectable of that institution testify. A sixth professor, Dr. George Bushe from London, has been recently added to our list, whose skill and ability are attested bv the first names in British sci= 12 ence, to wit, William Lawrence, Benjamin Travers, Granville Sharp Pattison, and Charles Bell, and w^hose real merits have greatly exceeded even the highest anticipations cherished by his coadjutors. Under what circumstances the four professors with- drew from their connection with a former institution, it is unnecessary here to mention. Suffice it to say, that finding themselves unable to perform the duties assigned them in a manner satisfactory to themselves, they ventured on the bold expedient of erecting at their own expense an edifice exceeded by none in the country in convenience; and the success of their attempt is evinced in the numbers who attend their courses of instruction from all parts of the Union, and in the high character which the students who have received medical honours at their hands have sustained in the public estimation. Believing, how^- ever, that the undersigned will be enabled to pursue their arduous duties w^ith more benefit to the public and to themselves by an independent Charter, they have made this application, satisfied that it must be as manifest to the public authorities, as it is to all intelligent citizens, that the right of instruction should not be the subject of monopoly ; that the field of science and literature should be open to all. They ask no pecuniary grant, but merely that they may be permitted to exercise their talents for their own and the public benefit, on an equal footing wdth others, inviting a friendly emulation, satisfied with that por- tion of patronage which an enlightened public may bestow. The City of New-York is beyond all contradiction the best theatre in this country for medical educa- tion. With a most numerous and rapidly augment- 13 ing population, embracing the climate of almost everj country, her inhabitants are exposed to every disease to which the human frame is subjected. Her hospital among the best endowed and best accom- modated institutions of the kind, receives patients from every region, and exhibits, for its extent, the greatest variety of diseases. Nothing but adverse circumstances can account for the mortifying fact, that New- York has failed to obtain that rank in me- dical reputation which she holds in wealth and com- merce. By means of her free and multifarious inter- course with every nation, her advantages of deriving the mo^t recent and ample information from every quarter, are manifest and decisive. How important then, that she should avail herself of these advan- tages. Her resources, powerful and numerous as they are, would be beneficially augmented by the expenditures among us of students from every part of our country ; and the seeds of science be enabled to take a deep and lasting root, and our citizens be- come distinguished in the arts which adorn, as in the pursuits which enrich social intercourse. It is believed that two medical schools are called for, both by the state and interests of the profession among us. Paris and London are now the best schools of medicine in the world. No inconsiderable income is derived to those opulent cities from their institutions for the promotion of education. In the former city, the powerful hand of government has long extended its aid ; and in the latter, its enter- prising citizens are becoming alive to the interests and embellishments which may be derived from this source. 1 wo most extensive institutions are now erecting with a view to furnish instruction to the in- habitants of that illustrious metropolis, accommo- dated to the existing state of science and the exi- gencies of its enlightened population. These insti- tutions far from interfering with each other, are found on the contrary, to aid and assist, by friendly ^emu- lation. In each of our sister cities, Philadelphia and Baltimore, two distinct institutions for imparting medical science exist, vested with chartered rights and ample powers by their respective Legislatures ; and it is believed that the City of New- York is suffi- ciently extensive to admit of similar advantages. One overgrown institution, however it may contribute to the emoluments of the professors, would never be tolerated by the other members of the profession, but by distinct schools every practitioner would be ena- bled to enlist his force and his interest in that school which he might prefer, and the student be permitted to avail himself of that course of instruction which he might deem most advantageous. An interesting fact is presented to your Excel- lency's consideration by the history of the two pre- ceding years. A considerably greater number of students have attended medical lectures in the City of New- York, during those two years, than at any previous period ; and at the present session, there is a still greater number of attending students, while it is well known, that many have been deterred from attendance on the lectures dehvered by the under- signed from undue mistrust in the honours conferred by this institution, and from idle threats and rumours. Others again have doubtless preferred pursuing their education at Philadelphia and elsewhere, from the unsettled state of our own schools, or from improper inducements held out but not fulfilled. 15 It is the object of the undersigned to elevate the medical profession by such regulations as may en- hance the qualifications of the student, without inter- fering with the vested rights of any portion of our fellow-citizens. The time has arrived when no per- son should be permitted to take charge of the life of his fellow-beings, without a regular and qualified education. The profession is sufficiently numerous, and our population sufficiently enlightened, to require from the future practitioner evidences of capacity to undertake the highly responsible duties which he assumes. The former condition of our population, scattered and widely dispersed, may have excused the laxity of regulation which has prevailed ; but as it is the duty of the wise legislator to adapt regula- tions to existing exigences, it is trusted that the en- lightened views of our citizens will not be repelled by the hand of power, but receive that consideration which the importance of the subject merits. In France, England, the German States, and in most of the enlightened nations of Europe, no person is per- mitted to practise the profession, without several years attendance on collegiate instruction, and the facilities of practical knowledge affi)rded by their extensive hospitals : The dignity and ability of the medical practitioner correspond with the requisi- tions ordained by the law. The signatures of more than one hundred of the most intelligent and respectable practitioners of the City of New-York, attest their sense of the propriety and expediency of this application, which might be further sustained by the concurrent approbation of thousands of the best informed of our population, did time permit the appeal. 10 The accompanying documents will still further ex- hibit the views of the undersigned : and may they be permitted to hope that your Excellency will see in the favour solicited, a measure subservient to the great interests of the state, and add the high sanc- tion of your name, influence, and co-operation in behalf of the present application for an independent charter. The undersigned have the honour to subscribe themselves most respectfully, DAVID HOSACK, M. D. Professor of the Institutes and Practice of Physic and Clinical Medicine. WILLIAM J. MACNEVEN, M.D. Professor of Therapeutics and Materia Medica. VALENTINE MOTT, M.D. Professor of Surgery. JOHN W FRANCIS, M.D. Professor of Obstetrics and Forensic Medicine. JOHN GRISCOM, LL.D. Professor of Chemistry. New-York, Jan. 1829. rNo.2.) a^Ct, ^c MEMORIAL Of upwards of one hundred Physicians and Surgeons of the City of New-York, praying for the incorporation of Manhattan College. TO THE HONOURABLE THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK, IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY CONVENED. IT IS RESPECTFULLY REPRESENTED : That the undersigned Physicians and Surgeons, highly approving of the erection of at least a second College for teaching Medicine and Surgery in New- York, as a measure that would greatly redound to the increase of exertion and the desire of excelling among teachers, and the reduction of expense to students, do respectfully, but most earnestly recommend to your Honourable Body to grant the prayer of the petition for chartering Manhattan College, with like powers and privileges as are in any wise granted or appertaining to any other Medical College in this state. And your petitioners will ever pray. J^eiv-York, February 2d, 1828, John Neilson, M.D.-^ "" ..Felix Pascalis, M.D. Samuel I. Kuypers, M.D. W. W. Buchannan, M.D. Fayette Cooper, M.D. J. S. W. Parkin, Lewis Belden, John Davis, WilHam Powers, M.D. Richard Esselstyn, M.D. J. A. Taylor, M.D. Theophilus Nelson,. 18 Edward C. Cooper, M.D. William Smith, John W. Withers, Richard L. Walker, M.D. Peter Shannon, John M. Bernhisel, M.D. Theo. Wolf, M.D. James M. Pendleton, M.D. A. Weight, R. E. Dorsey, M.D. B. B. Edwards, James Anderson, M.D. L. Proudfoot, M.D. [enry M. Francis, M.D. J. C. Tessier, M.D. F. Vanderburgh, M.D. John Frederick Sickels, Robert Greenhow, M.D. Ph. Edward Milledoler, M.D. A. E. Hosack, M.D. J. E. DeKay, M.D. Isaac BrinckerhofF, M.D. Thomas Pitts, W. T. W. Ireland, M.D. W. Seaman, M.D. ^^ --Valentine Mott, M.D. Mark Stephenson, M.D. Samuel L. Mitchill, M.D. H. M'Lean, M D. C. Da Ponte, M.D.-"^ R. H. Maclay, M.D. Henry E. Griffith, M.D. James H. Hart, M.D. William H. Boyd, M.D. Wright Post, M.D. Robert French, M.D. Wm. A. Hunter, M.D. Thomas Boyd, M.D. Peter Forrester, M.D. William Jas. Macneven, M.D. Luke Barker, M.D. Peter Pratt, M.D. Abraham T. Hunter, M.D. David Tomlinson, Andrew Anderson, M.D. l-ohn W. Francis, M.D. John L. Suckley, M.D. A. D. Wilson, M.D. ^ N. S. Jarvis, M.D. ^--^ David Hosack, M.D. Walter C. Palmer, M.D. Richard Tuite, M.D. C. B. Zabriskie, M.D. Stephen Brown, M.D. Gerardus A. Cooper, M.D. John M. Glover, M.D. Benjamin Kissam, M.D. John F. Gray, M.D. P. D. Vroom, M.D. John F. Ellis, M.D. G. Bancker, M.D. Hampton Dunham, J[<5hn Neilson, jr. M.D. James H. Henry, M.DT" " Benjamin Bailey, M.D. Samuel Throckmorton, M.D. Charles Cleve, M.D. Archibald B. Simpson, M.D. W. J. Bailey, Hosea Edwards, M.D. Ebenezer Storer, jun. M.D. J. T. Harrison, Charles A. Lee, M.D. P. Dykers, M.D. Cornehus Roosa, i A. G. Hull, M.D. Jer. Van Rensselaer, M.D. John T. Ferguson, M.D. J. Hanson, M.D. John D. Godman, M.D. G. Van Doren, P. Van Arsdale, R. Hogan, M.D. Garrit Terhune, M.D. Henry Mo it, Jotham W. Post, M.D. Francis E. Berger, M.D. Richard Pennell, M.D. Henry A. Riley, M.D. John Stearns, M.D. Alexander F. Vache, M.D. Samuel Tredwell, M.D. Samuel Burrowe, M.D. ( No. 3. TO THE HOAOUKABLE THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK, IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY CONVENED. Your Petitioners, Students of Medicine and Sur* gerj in the Rutgers Medical Faculty, Geneva Col- lege, beg leave most respectfully to represent : That having assembled from various parts of the union, at considerable expense, for the purpose of availing themselves of the many facilities which the City of New-York presents for the acquisition of medical education, they feel themselves amply remunerated for the sacrifice by the advancement they are ena- bled to make, in that most useful and important sci- ence to which they intend to devote the labours of their lives. They beg leave to lay before your Ho- nourable Body, the reasons w^hich induce them to unite in the application for an independent Charter by the professors, with that modesty which becomes their years, and that diffidence which is appropriate to their inexperience. The confidence of their fel- low-citizens in the abilities of the professors, is ma- nifested in their wide and responsible practice. Theirs is not the knowledge acquired from books 20 alone, and which are equally open to all; but theirs is the living science acquired at the bed-side of the sick. All are in the manhood of life, both in body and in mind. No one labours under the imbecility of youth, or the infirmity of years. All are administer- ing to their fellow-citizens the fruits of their ample experience, desirous only that they may instruct the rising youth of the country in those lessons of wisdom and knowledge which it has cost them the labours of their lives to acquire. Moreover, these gentlemen are happily known to our countrymen at large by their skill in their profes- sion, and by other undeniable evidences. When under your more immediate direction, your good sense and sagacity appreciated their merits and saw the institution flourishing in their hands : but since that period, they have added to their number a gen- tleman from Europe, whose attainments in his depart- ment bid fair to exceed all that has before been done among us. For more than fourteen years resident among the splendid hospitals of Dublin, London, Edinburgh, and Paris, he has been in possession of all the advantages which Europe can furnish to the anatomist, and has fully availed himself of them. But it is due to that gentleman to state, that nature has largely endowed him with her choicest gifts, and that his eloquent lips enable him to impart to his au- ditors his rich and ample stores of knowledge. He has left the land of his fathers to promote and to ex- tend the sciences among us ; and if the Institution is permitted to act with the approbation of the state authorities, the noble science of anatomy, and the kindred branches of medicine, will be enabled to take deep and lasting root among us. 21 It deserves to be noted in favour of this applica» tion to your Honourable Body, that the professors of this College, when connected vrith another insti- tution which thej raised from the must humble be- ginnings to a commanding eminence of usefulness, never prostituted the honours of the profession on the unworthy. A diploma under their hands was not merely a title to practice, but a passport to the highest stations in the army and navy of our country. We have indubitable authority for the fact, that no graduate from the New- York Medical School, while they were its teachers, was ever found incompetent when put to the trial. Numerous and important are the facilities of me- dical education in the City of New- York. Its noble Hospital, in which are exhibited almost every disease which is described in the able lectures of the teacher of the practice of physic, and in which have been performed most of the great opera- tions in surgery, by the eminent professor of that branch; its numerous infirmaries for the allevi- ation of pain and the correction of deformity, are among the charities which ennoble this metropo- lis, and render it the best theatre of medical sci- ence. All these charities have, at times, received the countenance and bounty of the pubhc; and shall their application to the advancement of the profes- sion, the only remuneration which the public can receive, except the gratification of the benevolent feelings, be refused to an institution which must ever refer to the cases there exhibited for the illustration of the lessons of its teachers ? The conveniences and accommodations of the edifice in which the lec- tures are delivered, are acknowledged by all to be 22 greater than those of any medical college in the country. Its contiguity to the New- York Hospital, marks the good sense and judgment of its founders. Thrice has it been honoured by a visitation by the members of your Honourable Body, representatives of the City of New-York, and an unanimous opinion been pronounced in its favour. The numerous libraries of this capital are, besides, accessible on the most moderate compensation. Its open inter- course with every part of the globe, enables it to receive the latest intelligence in science and litera- ture, and confers on it advantages which no other city in the union enjoys. Nor is it a circumstance to be omitted, that we are here enabled to see the ac- cumulation of wealth, the varieties of manner and customs which this parti-coloured metropolis exhibits of every nation and country on the earth. Satisfied that the public opinion coincides with their own, and recommended to the faculty of this school by those whose means of judging are ample, and whose minds are uncommitted and impartial, they wish only to declare, that they have not been disappointed in the high character of the institution, and beg permission to make known their wish that its means of usefulness may be continued, both to them and their successors. But ever since their connection with the institution, various rumours of the invalidity of the diplomas granted by its faculty, have operated on their fears, and have deterred many from enjoying its privileges whose unbiassed judg- ment would have determined in its favour. As guar- dians of the public weal, they look up to you for a remedy for these evils, and request that they may be permitted to prefer that course of instruction and 26 those instructors who exhibit the strongest titles to their confidence. So far, we trust, we have proved ourselves not un- worthy of the advantages we enjoy. No instance of indecorum or impropriety has yet occurred within our walls. We are only anxious that when we shall have completed our studies and return to our homes, the diplomas which we have received as the evidence of our laborious exertion, may not be discredited by those to whom our fathers have consigned the wel- fare of the state. We too, in our turn, expect to take charge of the lives and health of our fellow-beings. Do not, we beseech you, nip these prospects in the bud. The hard earnings of our parents have been deeply taxed to enable us thus far to prosecute our studies. Do not attempt to lessen in our esteem those bright examples in the profession whom it shall be the pride of our after lives successfully to emu- late. Many of you as representatives of the state, come from parts of the country where the unskilful and uneducated reap no inconsiderable rewards ; some of you may have suffered from your mistaken confidence in their capacity. Give us, who at least have done all we could to entitle ourselves to public favour, an equal chance with them, and we do not fear that the act of your Honourable Body, which shall grant a charter to the distinguished teachers who have submitted their pretensions to your wis- dom, will be hailed by your constituents as the evi- dence of your sagacious discernment of their inte- ests, and your watchful guardianship of their welfare. We are about to enter on the career of active life. Under Providence, we trust that at the great day of account we shall be enabled to say, that in return for 24 the bounties of his goodness, we exercised the hum- ble measure of our talents in protecting the lives of our fellow-mortals from the infirmities of their nature, alleviated the bed of sickness and sorrow, and by the best services we could render to helpless and afflicted humanity, approved ourselves acceptable in his sight. CHAIRMAN, Rob. W. Wells, Hunterdon, New Jersey. SECRETARY, Rob. S. GiBBS, St. Johns, Florida. COMMITTEE. Horace Beall, Washington, James Oliver, Ulster, James F. Leach, Johnson, Samuel H.Pennington, Essex, Benjamin W. Sanders, Onslow, OTHER STUDENTS OF THE CLASS. Thomas Ward, Jun. Hardy Holmes, David Springsteed, S. Wilson Kellogg, William A. Clarke, John William Schmidt, Richard Smith, C. D. Brayton, James Barry, George W. Cook, dexander Henry, William A. Berry, Frederick Giraud, Andrew A. Sandham, John Dunham, Gideon N. Searing, Jared B. Atwood, Alden J. Bennett, Essex, Sampson, Albany, Fairfield, Kings, Charleston, New-York, St. Lawrence, New-York, Columbia, Roscommon, New Hanover, New-York, New-York, New-York, Queens, Schoharie, " Delaware. D. C. New-York. North Carolina.. New Jersey. North Carolina. New Jersey. North Carolina. New-York. Connecticut. New-York. South Carolina. New-York. New-York. New-York. New-York. Ireland. North Carolina. New-York. New-York. New-York. New-York. New-York. New-York. 25 Robert S. Marshall, Henry Vanderveer, Henry Christie, Charles H. Jessup, John S. GatUn, Thomas G. Swain, ^William Channing, Obadiah Crosby, Mason C. Kellogg, James Quackenbush, Philip P. Ruckel, John O. Shipman, Robert Leggett, Peter Skillman, Horace Mosher, Nelson Stryker, Samuel Russell, John W. Ansley, s-Asa Fitch, jun. George F. Horton, Reoloff H. Van Dike, James Fraser, AmosG. Hull, jun. N. Delavan Stebbins, Edward V. Price, James B. Samo, Thomas Ackerman, Thomas S. Barrett, WilHam B. M'Cullough, Benjamin Ober, Jacob D. Woodruff, Thomas E. Ware, James Martin, Minturn Post, Alexander Y. Nicoll, William Parkinson, J. M, Smith, Henry F, Welling, Delaware, New-York. Mi lesex. New Jersey. New-York, New-York. Orange, New-York. Le Noir, North Carolina. New-York, New-York. New-York, New-York. Saratoga, New-York. Ashtabula, Ohio. New-York, New- York. New-York, New- York. Onondaga, New- York. Albany, New-York. Hunterdon, New Jersey. Orange, New- York. Somerset, New Jersey. Rensselaer, New-York. New- York, New- York. Washington, New -York. Bradford, Pennsylvania. Somerset, New Jersey. St. Thomas, West Indies. New Hanover, New-York. Yates, New-York. Dutchess, New- York. New-York, New-York. Bergen, New Jersey. Rensselaer, New-York. Warren, New Jersey. M-rrimac, N. Hampshire. Morris, New Jersey. Salem, New Jersey. Warren, New Jersey. New- York, New- York. Middlesex, New Jersey. Virginia. Dutchess, New-York. New- York, New- York. 4 26 Leonard Marsh, Langhton Osborn, James M. Quin, Richard W. Stevenson, Henry D. LefFerts, WilUam H. EUet, David Crawford, y John Van Reypen, Edward S. Johnson, Joseph Surveyor, G. H. Van Wagenen, James C. Finley, WilHam Holland, James A. Clearman, Stephen R. Kirby, Arthur V. Conover, Samuel L. Griswold, Jacob B. James, Thomas W. Donsom, Ferris Jacobs, -^ WilHam Thompson, Albert Bullen, John A. Tilks, John V^. Hitchcock, Douortien Binsse Destr, Joseph Lawrence, Samuel M. Harby^— Samuel E. Chapman, Edgar G. Mygatt, James H. Williams, Joseph L Wright, N. Edson Sheldon, William C. Roberts, Samuel P. Bishop, Edward Ellis, Bethuel V. Peterson, Samuel G. Arnold, Weller D. Rood. Windsor, New-York, New-York, New-York, Monmouth, New-York, New-Ycrk, Bergen, Columbia, New-York, New-York, Jones, Jones, Essex, New-York, Middlesex, New-York, Burlington, New-York, Schoharie, Lewis, Clinton, Oneida, New-York, Edgecomb, Charleston, Craven, Oneida, Hertford, Halifax, Delaware, New- York, Tompkins, Crawford, Niagara, Dutchess, Chenango. Vermont. New-York. New-York. New-York. New Jersey. New- York. New-York. New Jersey. New-York. New- York. New-York- New Jersey. North Carolina,^ New Jersey. New-York. New Jersey. New-York. New Jersey. New-York. New-York. New-York. New-York. North Carolina. New-York. New-York. North Carolina. South Carolina. North Carolina. New-York. North Carolina." North Carolina. New-York. New-York. New-York. Pennsylvania. New-York. New-York. New-York. y / 27 James B. Kissam, 'John H. Biddle, Charles Toan, Charles C. Blauvelt, Thomas H. Hutchinson, David W. Wilson, John RosencrEintz, Isaac B. Craft, John H. Griscom, Jonathan D. Annin, John A. Morrison, Henry Winne, Aaron S. Nestor, Whitfield Nichols, Edward L. Coburn, Robert Tolefree, Jun. EHas P. Phelps, Daniel B. Ostrander, George C. Ball, New-York, New-York, Cayuga, Somerset, New-York, Morris, Franklin, New- York, New- York, Somerset, Essex, Somerset, New- York, Essex, Columbia, New-York, Otsego, New-York, Kings, New-York. New-York. New-York. New Jersey. New- York. New Jersey. New Jersey. New-York. New- York. New Jersey. New-Jersey. New Jersey. New-York. New Jersey. New- York. New-York. New-York. New-York. New-York. New- York, Jan. 10, 1829. ( No. 4. ) TO THE HONOURABLE THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK. Your Memorialists respectfully represent, that as guardians of the public education of the state, they approach your Honourable Body with that respect which is due to a tribunal invested with such high and important interests. Believing that those inte- rests will be promoted by the application they now make, they hasten to lay before your Honourable Body the considerations which have influenced them, and which they submit, with all due deference, to your enhghtened judgments. Devoted for many years to the duties of instruc- tion, they are desirous that the talents they possess , may be exercised for the benefit of the community. The success of their labours and their efforts in raising a small and inconsiderable medical school into rivalship with the oldest university in the union, and to triumphant superiority over every other until internal dissensions compelled them to resign their trust, are known to your Honourable Body. It is not intended to excite the angry feelings in which 29 they originated, and which, they trust, are now ex- tinguished for ever. Suffice it to say, that believing they could not do justice to themselves under the control exercised over them by the Trustees, they surrendered their trusts into the hands of your Honourable Body, and united themselves with a most respectable literary institution in our sister state of New-Jersey. At that time, neither your Honourable Body nor the Legislative Councils of the state were in session, nor were they to be con- vened until after the time when the lectures in the College were to commence. Finding that this mea- sure did not meet the sanction of the authorities of the state, they were subsequently constituted the Medical Faculty of Geneva College. But satified that under an independent Charter they could act with more convenience and utility, they now present their claims before your Honourable Body, confident that you will see in their proposition a design to add to the literary and scientific character of the state, and a willingness to be controlled by such regulations as may be in harmony with its general system of public instruction. They have erected, at great expense, a large and commodious edifice in a central and commanding part of the city, and adjacent to the public hospital. Students from every part of the union repair to their institution ; and it is with emotions of satisfaction they have ascertained, that for the three last terras, during which their establishment has existed, a con- siderably greater number of Medical Students have assembled in the city than were ever before collected together in that place. Indeed, they cannot doubt 30 that there is room for two institutions, and that a friendly emulation would contribute to the interest of each. This is the case with our sister cities of Phi- ladelphia and Baltimore, where two Medical schools in each city flourish, with great advantage to the profession, and with adequate remuneration to the teachers. The population of New-York is more than twice that of Baltimore, and is much superior to that of Philadelphia. In London and Paris, the great schools for medicine and surgery are the hos- pitals, and in each city its teachers of medicine are probably more than a hundred. They trust they need no more than allude to the importance and utility of the medical art. This no- ble profession, which, to its successful prosecution requires the incessant exertion of the highest facul- ties of the mind, has been too long suflfered to linger in neglect ; and while the Legislative Councils of the state have been studiously attentive to provide the means ofinstruction to every class of citizens, the study of medicine, which requires numerous facilities and ex- pensive apparatus, has been left comparatively unpa- tronized and unprotected. During our revolutionary struggle,it was said by one* whose means of j udging and whose ability to decide were equally acknowledged, that more lives had been lost by the ignorance of the medical staff, than by the sword of the enemy. How- many lives have been since lost, we have no means of ascertaining ; but all must admit, that one of the highest and most benign duties of legislation consists in protecting the lives of our citizens. Of a people ■' Dr. Rush- 31 so intelligent and so liberal in every public enter- prise, we trust it never will be said, that they were prodigal of their blood and treasure to protect their liberties from violation, and in infancy and un- used to arms, measured their swords with giants in strength and veterans in arms, that they surpassed all other nations in the magnitude of their donations to educate their children, and were even jealous to a fault of the guardianship of those to whom the wisdom of their legislation consigned even for a transient period, a portion of their power; but by a fatuity and folly which the ^anest of nations have avoided, and which almost counteracted their wisdom in the cabinet and their valour in the field, they com- mitted their health and lives to any whose ignorant presumption ventured on the task. But we do not think so meanly of our countrymen. Their attention need only be directed to this object to procure the proper remedy. And we trust that your Honourable Body, charged by the law of the land with this high trust, will not turn a deaf ear to an application which we venture to predict will furnish a corrective to the evil. We ask not a cent from the public treasury ; but believing that the emoluments from the students and the benign effects of our instruction will prove an adequate reward, we solicitthat we may be permit- ted to exercise our abilities under the public sanction and authority. Already we have been at no small expense of time and labour and finance ; we ask that it may not be in vain, and that the student who shall prefer the system and course of instruction w^hich we offer, may not have the doors of instruction debarred from his access. 32 To you who are conversant with the numerous ad- vantages for the prosecution of Anatomy in the hos- pitals of Paris and London, it will not be deemed extraordinary that on the vacancy in Rutgers Medical College, occasioned by the resignation of Dr. God- man, the eyes of the other professors were directed to some member of the profession whose good for- tune it had been to enjoy them in his education. Than Dr. Bushe, no surgeon in London had directed his studies with a more distinct view to anatomical improvement; and his high reputation is proof both of the opportunities h^'cnjoyed, and of the vigour and success of his application. It is no exaggerated praise to assert, that anatomy is now first taught in this country as it ought to be — not merely descriptive, but pathological and physiological. The recent im- provements in this extensive science, amounting al- most to a revolution in its foundations, are now first developed to the studious youth of this metropolis. Hereafter, we trust, that Americans enjoying the ad- vantages of Europe, will become no less eminent in anatomy than in other branches of knowledge. In 1784, your Honourable Body originated ; and by an^act of the Legislature of 1789, and by other subsequent acts, your jurisdiction was greatly ex- tended, and your supervising power is now felt in every part of the state. The enlarged and liberal donations of the Legislature are honourable to our people, who will doubtless reap the advantages of this munificence in the education of their children. But in the present instance, your Honourable Body is not called upon to make any claim upon the funds of the state, but to grant to a body of men the license 33 of your approbation, whom your Honourable Body selected from among the most eminent of the pro- fession, and whose competency has the sanction of your testimony in its favour. Although the undersigned have raised this institu- tion by their own individual expense and efforts, they would willingly submit to the visitorial power of your Honourable Body, in common with the other literary corporations of the state. DAVID HOSACK, M.D. Professor of the Listitutes and Practice of Physic and iDlinical Medicine. WILLIAM J. MACNEVEN, M.D. Professor of Therapeutics and Materia Medica. VALENTINE MOTT, M.D. Professor of Surgery. JOHN W. FRANCIS, M.D. Professor of Obstetrics and Forensic Medicine. I fully concur in the foregoing statement, JOHN GRISCOM, LL.D. Professor of Chemistry. New-York, Jan. 1829. 1\