Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-07-07
no rms PUBLIc.

There appeared In the Compiler Of the 22d. and III
Wing q the 23d q June an address. 10 the Medical Pro
LESSON. which seems 90 make Il my duty however rclue
sniy 10 say few words the public upon very painful
subject WIN which. hunby Think they have concern
Ia the year 1888, when the Medical Department o
Hampton Sidney college was organized In Richmond
was appointed 10 the chsir cf Anatomy and Physiology
which have since occupied until within few weeks past
This Medical School was undertaken under many advcrs.
circumstance; and TO ensure any toleabe success
qasd from Its Professors much pecunay expense and per
-onal labor and much professional zeal and eor-in aid
OF such learning and talent and character could
been brought into 10 service. Without assuming any thing
10 myself which would not probably be allowed by my
enemies, think may say that contributed much
pesc and labor and zeal any whatever the
efforts which were made give character and
the School II had attained much perhaps.
under all the there was any good reason to
anticipate L. however pleased my this labor
the other Professors Of the School, the end Of the last
session. To assemble themselves together and resolve
me notice. that upon charges they would apply
to tho authorities OF Hampdcn Sidney College
me from Office. They accordingly with the Dean of
the Faculty at their head, presented petition the
Trustees OF Hampden Sidney College, asking my reno
val upon three grounds, and saying that if
moved they would resign The charges made these
First disregard OF truth; secondly repeated acts OF on
nPofessiona character and thirdly conduct unworthy OF
Professor.
oustfy removal II they had been sustained by proof,
and would have been very sufficient have justified in
resenting them If had felt certainly did feel, myself
entirely innocent OF hem and they had been made against
in other than by regular official proceedings
But in obedience my duy resolved those char
gcs upon proofs before the tribunal IL will be seen
that they very alleging specific fact under
either head Of charge-yet hoped that the investigation
would be conducted enable know, in
prepare for my defence what would be the particular
facts insisted upon before the Trustees support Of the
charges The Trustees receiving the petition of the
Dean and his associates had entered resolutions, of
which, and Of the petition copy sen, me, and
by which, informed that the Sth day of June had
been appointed for the investigation OF the charges be-
fore the Board OF Trustees and that the evidence sub
mitted, whether oral written should be the best the
parties could command, and be taken either oath
honor, after notice. copy OF these resolutions
directed To be sent also 10 the accusing party Prior to
the day Of trial. testimony had been taken by the Dean
and Faculty upon notice to had heard, however
Of expare testimony taken by them to particular
matters and had proceeded take such testimony
tain and defend myself seemed be proper. In
taking this testimony, had in all given
the Dean aud other members Of the Faculty notice; but
Of them attended in pursuance of such notice
had in this procured body OF testimony which fiat
tered myself would have placed character and conduct
in fair light before the Trustees Of the Coege-and thus
prepared, repaired Hampden Sidney the appointed
time expecting and wishing to meet the trial. and no.
ping 10 confute the accusations / accompanied
Ihther by my young friend and relation, Dr. Carter p
Johnson who, from the peculiar and intimate relations
which he had held towards for several years, sup
posed would have been able give TO the Trustees
useful information touching the charged
against Upon arrival, however, found
the Trustees exceedingly DESTROYS with reference chiefly
the interests OF the College, TO bring the controversy
accommodation without the trial of the charges-and al
though was resolved 10 do nothing which could
way commit my character, confess that felt strongly The
force of some Of the views which presented TO Ii
could be disguised that whatever the result of
ral the consequences would be injurious and per-
haps disastrous the College II succeeded in rciutng
the charges and the Trustees had refused that
they OF course would have refused me- then the
other five professors have vacated their chairs and the
College have been left eoganize in the face Of all the
intrinsic difficulties Of the times rendered enod for
midabe by this hostile dsmanting. If, the other hand
contrary est convictions, the Trustees could have
been induced situation. could
doubt that character would be essentially injured there
by and reasonable will not doubt that the prosperity
of the College might have been in degree impaired
by such Another consideration rendered
acceptable dispense with trial. In my vndca-
on had taken testimony which bore harshy upon
the characters OF some persons not parties this conoyer
sy, which certainly would have given pleasure
make public. yielded then accommodation by which
resigned my chair, had provision made for adjusting
pecGnnry interests connected with and the charges
against Withdrawn. The language in which this
arrangement ultimately entered upon the record of the
Trustees after had left the place, will appear by copy
from that record which has been and in the fol-
lowing words
Al a meeting of the trustees of Hampden Sidney Col
ege, Thursday the 9Th June, ls43, held in pursuance
OF order heretofore made for the purpose of hearing
and deciding charges made against Dr. Johnson Proes
ia the Medical Department OF this college, by the Fa-
Guilty of said Department: Present, President Maxwell,
Henry +. Watkins, Henry Darlington, James p. Mar
" SHALL William 5. Norton David Comfort, Isaac Read,
Rev. Patrick J. Sparrow, James ID. Wood and Nathaniel
a. f. Venable
consented that the Board should upon the
" as fully as il majority Of the whole present
" VIM. Maxwell, Henry T.. Watkins and Henry Caring
ton was appointed committee 10 endeavor to settle the
differences, without the action Of this Board; who retired
" for that purpose.
The committee above named after consultation re.
ported the Board the following preamble and resou-
Z" tons:
The Committee respectfully report that having confer
red with the parties and found that il impossible
effect any amicable arrangement OF the disagreement be-
tween them, they unanimously the conclusion
expressed in the following resolutions:
Resolred, That not haung examined The testimony Of
either party and consequently, without expressing any
opinion whatever whether the charges preferred against
Dr. johnson true, and without in any
neT mpeachng his character gentleman or pre-
fessor, the committee Of opinion that under all the cir
Of the is expedient and desirable from
regard the interest Of tue Medical Department alone,
that DR.. Johnson should resign his office.
That they submitted the said resolution TO Dr. Johnson
who, theroupon, promptly entered into the spirit Of their
views and agreed To their recommendation.
He has accordingly authorized the committee report
that he has resigned his office professor Anatomy
Physiology in the Medical Department Of this College.
Resolved, That we recommend to the Faculty OF
the Medical Department TO settle by reference 10 /
arbiirators three in NUMBER DIR Johnson selecting one
the Medical Faculty another. and the two thrdD all
claims which DR.. Johnson may prefer against said Facu
and they farther recommend them purchase from Dr.
Johnson such OF his anatomical preparations they may
deem valuable necessary TO the Medical Department.
A." Whereupon,
"ResyiUed, That said Report Of the Committee be
"ceived and approved.
"And Dr. johnson being present. and called upon by the
chairman stated aequiesced IN the Report and there
upon rendered his resignation Professor OF Anatomy
land Physiology the Medical Department Of this Col
"lege which said resignation was accepted.
'fhe Dean and other members Of the Faculty present,
"being also called upon assented to the Recommendation
of the Commee and thereupon waived oil farmer prose-
"euon OF the case"
"a true cOpy-frOm the Record
JAMES ID. WOOD. Secretary,
BoARD TRUSTEES OF
HampdeR Sidney College"
do not mean TO complain that any Of injustice has
been done in this Recordi the materials which
had been finally agreed upon before left the Board Of
Trustees bu, this do say that any inference be drawn
-. - liz H..