BIOGRAPHY. 
A Biographical Memoir of Cornelius E. De Pity, M. D. 
member of the New- York Historical Society, fyc. read be- 
fore the Physico-Medical Society of New-Yorh, at its anni- 
versary meeting on the 8th of August, 1822. By Joseph 
M. Smith, M. D. 
Gentlemen, 
In accordance with that law of our nature, which prompts 
us to preserve the memory of our departed friends, and under 
the sanction of a resolution of this society, we propose at this 
time to commemorate the life and character of our late asso- 
ciate, Dr. Cornelius E. De Puy. It is not in every instance, 
however amiable in their private walks, and beloved in their 
social relations, that our deceased friends are entitled to a 
public tribute of respect. In all ordinary cases, it is enough 
to mourn for them in private, and to recount their virtues in 
the circle to which they were endeared. But there are occa- 
sions in which something more is proper. The death of 
individuals distinguished for active and unbounded philan- 
thropy, extraordinary attainments in literature or the arts? 
important discoveries in science, or great civil or military 
services to their country, is calculated to produce a deep and 
lasting impression on the public mind; and accordingly, to 
all such are awarded, by common consent, the honours of 
public orations and finished biographies ; their names are re- 
corded on the page of history, and statues and temples are 
erected to perpetuate their memory. But these honours are Biography of Dr. De Buy. 
267 
merited by comparatively few ; and no one can reasonably 
expect to deserve them, who does not, either by the force of 
his genius, or with moderate powers, by unceasing sedulity, 
rise greatly superior to his fellows in the benefits he confers 
on his country or the world. There is still another class of 
individuals, who though their lives afford no matter for the 
historian or biographer, are distinguished by so many noble 
and generous traits of character, and so many evidences of 
intellectual superiority, as well as indications of future pre- 
eminence and usefulness, that to them, on their premature 
removal from life, is properly adjudged, at least the honour 
of public eulogy. In this class, the subject of the present 
notice held a respectable rank. 
Were the feelings, which friendship inspires, likely to en- 
danger the correctness of the estimate we make of another’s 
character, I should hesitate before attempting to proceed in 
the duty assigned me ; but this, it is believed, can rarely or 
never be the case when the chief merit of an individual is 
derived from circumstances which have as closely connected 
him with the public, as with his nearest friends. To the pub- 
lic, legitimately belong the capacities and talents of the head, 
and to friends, the affections and sympathies of the heart; 
hence, those qualities which we find in another as common 
property, may be examined with equal impartiality by a 
friend, and doubtless will be with more precision, than by 
one who has never felt any personal interest in his prosperity. 
Yet, to avoid the errors arising from excited feelings, let us, 
instead of exclusive panegyric, review the considerations that 
claim for our late associate, the honour which the present ex- 
ercise is intended to bestow on his memory. 
The bereavement we have suffered, is rendered more than 
usually lamentable by the circumstances under which it 
happened. When those around us pass away through the 
outlets of disease or old age, we contemplate their departure 
under views with which we are familiar ; and consequently, 
I seldom experience any additional pain from the manner 
of their death ; but when they fall by sudden and unexpected 268 
Biography of Dr. De Puy. 
disaster, then truly do we feel the force of the truth, “ in the 
midst of life we are in death then, indeed, is the heart made 
to feel the poignancy of grief. 
Scarce had our city recovered from the gloom occasioned 
by the loss of the packet Albion on the shore of Ireland, thau 
we were shocked by the tidings of a similar calamity which 
happened to a party belonging to the Franklin 74, in attempt- 
ing to land on the coast of Chili. In the former instance, 
we not only wept at the recital of the tale, which numbered so 
many lives suddenly withdrawn from the sum of human ex- 
istence, but we opened our bosoms to a free communion with 
those who had suffered by the loss of friends and relatives: 
we felt that our country had been deprived of citizens emi- 
nently w orthy in their several professions and callings ; and 
we turned with more than common sensibility to the college 
of a sister State, and, in the spirit of condolence, participated 
in her grief for the loss of a young but distinguished pro- 
fessor. In the latter instance, our feelings have been some- 
what of a different sort. The Franklin left the United Statesj 
bearing with her to a distant region, those for whose welfare 
were breathed the ardent prayers of innumerable friends, 
and the best wishes of the American people. Besides the 
solicitude felt for the personal safety of those who had em- 
barked in her, there was a more than ordinary interest excited 
by the expectation, that her cruize in the Pacific Ocean would 
afford many opportunities of extending the knowledge of 
the power and character of our country, and of enlarging the 
boundaries of science. 
In this latter service Dr. De Puy was exclusively engaged. 
Under the influence of such feelings and such expectations 
with what appalling emotions did we receive the intelligence, 
which announced the fatal adventure on the 19th of March; 
an adventure long to be remembered, as it deprived the ex- 
pedition of its principal labourers in natural science, and this 
society of one of its most promising and valuable members. 
But he did not perish alone : in the number lost on that occa- 
sion w*ere several officers, whose gallantry and accomplish- Biography of Dr. De Buy. 
269 
ments had placed them high in the estimation and confidence 
of their country. But while 
“For them, is sorrow’s purest sigh, 
O’er ocean’s heaving bosom sent,” 
let it here be our duty and melancholy pleasure, to speak of 
him who was endeared to us by the strongest ties of social 
fellowship, and whose death we have reason deeply to lament. 
A long period of friendly intercourse, and, I may add, of 
intimacy with Dr. De Puy, enables me to assert that he pos- 
sessed many rare and excellent qualities ; and that he was 
distinguished for his rapid and uninterrupted advancement in 
literature and science; we say rapid and uninterrupted, for 
his mind was of so active a turn, that idleness was a state he 
could not endure; and as his temperament was of that moral 
cast which made him shun the dissolute and vulgar expedients 
of killing time, and especially, as he had an early fondness 
for, and subsequently a strong ambition to excel in science 
and classical learning, his attention was constantly devoted 
to intellectual improvement. 
He was born of Dutch parentage, in Ulster County, New- 
York, about the year 1791. His education, prior to the 
commencement of his medical studies, appears to have been 
limited to the branches usually taught at a grammar school. 
But this, to one so ardent in the pursuit of knowledge, was a 
foundation sufficiently broad for him to proceed in the erec- 
tion of a superstructure, which, had he lived to complete, we 
believe, would have been an ornament to his country, and to 
him a monument of fame. Commencing his course of 
medical reading in the country, under the direction of an 
eminent practical physician, he soon acquired that knowledge 
which fitted him to enter upon the more elaborate studies 
connected with the proper attendance upon the lectures de- 
livered in the University of this State. On removing to the 
city, he became deeply impressed with the advantages to be 
derived from the prelections of public teachers; the ready 
access to professional and miscellaneous libraries, and from 270 
Biography of Dr. De Buy. 
visiting the institutions for the healing of the sick. These 
considerations determined him to complete his pupilage in 
the city, and eventually to make it his permanent residence. 
He was graduated doctor of medicine in the University, in 
the year 18 i4. Those, who knew him at that period will 
testify, that few candidates lor the honours of the college 
were distinguished for a wider range of general information, 
or a more particular and systematic knowledge of the several 
branches of medical science. Prior to his graduation, he 
held for a considerable time the place of resident physician in 
the New-York Alms-House, an establishment superior in many 
respects to a regular hospital for improvement in clinical 
medicine. While in this institution, he discovered a ready 
talent for discerning the nature of diseases, and a correct 
judgment in prescription. 
His settlement in this city, in the practice of his profession, 
may be regarded as one of the circumstances which concurred 
to favour the institution of the Physico-Medical Society. 
The views, entertained by the projector of this society, were 
early embraced by Dr. De Puy; and his zeal and talents 
were immediately engaged in digesting its plan, and bringing 
its objects into a definite form. On the 8th of August, 1815, 
he assisted at its organization ; and subsequently proved him- 
self one of its most able and indefatigable supporters. His 
intelligence and literary qualifications, secured to him, from 
the commencement of the society to the period he left New- 
York, his annual election as chairman of the committee of 
publication, an office, the duties of which he discharged with 
a fidelity and judgment that deserved and obtained the high- 
est approbation. His professional attainments were fully 
tested in the publication of the first volume of our transac- 
tions, which appeared in 1817, two years after the in- 
stitution of the society. The contributions, made by him- 
self to that volume, have been justly esteemed among its 
most ingenious and logical essays. His first paper, entitled 
“ An Inquiry into the botanical history, chemical proper- 
ties, and medicinal qualities of the Erigeron Canadense,” Biography of Dr. De Buy. 
271 
was read within a month after the society commenced 
its operations; a fact we deem worthy of being mentioned, 
inasmuch as this communication was entirely voluntary, or, 
in other words, was not called for at that particular time, by 
the obligation which the constitution provides for securing 
the regular reading of papers. It was offered as a testimonial 
of his devotedness to the interests of the society. The several 
topics treated of in that essay are discussed in a practical and 
satisfactory manner. 
But the merit of Dr. De Puy, as a medical writer, is more 
fully discovered in his “ Dissertation on the uniform action 
of the Absorbents.” This paper was submitted to the society 
on the 3d of September, 1816, and may be regarded as the 
ablest production of his pen. It was evidently the result of 
much reflection; and though the phenomena adduced to 
establish his opinion that, “ the action of the absorbents con- 
tinues uniform throughout every stage of life, and in every 
condition of the body, whether of health or disease, unless 
when mechanically interrupted,” are, for the most part, gene- 
rally known, and considered as proving an opposite doctrine, 
yet his ingenuity made it appear, that all of them could be 
explained on the principle of an uniformity of absorbent 
action. And further, he contended, and with great plausibility 
of reasoning and variety of illustration, that the phenomena 
of health and disease, as well as the physiological changes, 
which occur in the different periods of life, could not be re- 
duced to a consistent theory without admitting the principle 
in question. He considered the absorbents as placed beyond 
the reach of stimulus or counter-stimulus. Their functions, he 
maintained, were entirely impassive, and that, though the 
heart might be the primum vivens of the system, the mouths 
of the absorbents were its true ultimum moriens. Whether this 
doctrine will be found true, to the extent it was carried by 
Dr. De Puy, is perhaps questionable ; but, however this may 
be, all must acquiesce in the sentiment of his reviewer, that 
“ the considerations, urged by the author, evince an original 272 
Biography of Dr. De Puy. 
and comprehensive mind, knowing, at once, how to make 
observations, and to reason upon them.5’ 
A third paper was read by Dr. De Puy on the 16th October, 
1817, entitled, “ Remarks on the efficacy of friction in apo- 
plexy and palsy, proved by cases.” In this communication, 
we are presented with the most indubitable proofs of his 
ability as a practical physician. The cases are drawn up 
with great neatness and perspicuity, and his pathological re- 
flections are highly interesting and instructive. 
In thus noticing the writings of Dr. De Puy, it will be 
recollected, that we have spoken of those only which have 
appeared before the public. Several other tracts of a practi- 
cal character were read by him before lie society at different 
times, all of which wrere creditable to their author. It must 
not be supposed from the number of papers furnished by Dr. 
De Puy for the first volume of our transactions, that he was 
anxious to appear in print. That he was not influenced by 
a feeling of this sort, is evident from the fact, that, though 
always engaged with his pen, he never contributed to any of 
the medical or other periodical journals of our country. 
This circumstance, we think, exhibits, in a strong light, the 
motives which induced him to present his first offerings to the 
public through the medium of our printed transactions. 
Though ambitious of individual respectability as a writer, he 
hoped, that by his own communications to the society, he 
might be able to do something which would tend to render its 
first publication acceptable to the profession. The character of 
the society was with him an object of peculiar regard ; and 
all his assiduities seem to have been directed more to the 
view of increasing its reputation, than of advancing his own 
fame. 
When we review these demonstrations of his zeal in pro- 
moting the objects of this association, we are made to feel 
how tenderly we should cherish the recollection of his labours, 
and how great is the respect we owe to his memory. The 
first efforts of young men for the public good, or the advance- 
ment of science, are always regarded with complacency. Biography of Dr. De Buy. 
273 
though they may fail to be positively useful; the first efforts 
of Dr. De Puy were emphatically directed to the high and. 
noble purpose of establishing an institution for the promotion 
of medical science—an institution whose seventh anniversary 
we this day celebrate, in lamenting his death, and pronounc- 
ing his praise. 
Though Dr. De Puy did not appear before the public as a 
writer after the publication of our transactions, it must not 
be supposed, that his ardour in the pursuit of knowledge had 
in the least degree abated. He still pressed onward in the 
retired paths of literature and science, making great additions 
to his stock of general information. He carefully preserved 
his acquisitions in Grecian and Roman literature, and devoted 
considerable attention to the French and Italian languages. 
To the French language he was particularly attached; he 
studied its genius extensively and critically, and spoke it with 
little or no hesitancy. He also made himself familiar with 
the modern classics, as well as the fashionable reading of the 
day: but the subject to which he more particularly gave his 
attention for the last two or three years, was one of con- 
fessedly great magnitude, and of immense importance. We 
allude to Hygeia, or the science of health. It must not be 
concealed that Dr. De Puy, though fully qualified to dis- 
charge the duties of a practitioner, had lost, in a measure, 
his confidence in some of the boasted principles of therapeu- 
tics. He often doubted the efficacy and propriety of that 
polypharmacy and multiplicity of remedies which are sanc- 
tioned by the generality of physicians ; and moreover, was 
frequently disposed to question, if medicine, as we find it 
through the world, was not, upon the whole, rather an evil 
than a benefit. These doubts were probably elicited during 
the rigid examination which every medical subject underwent 
when submitted to the analysis of his strong and discriminat- 
ing mind. Such suspicions, if not carried to the point of 
absolute infidelity, of which in his case there was no danger, 
were, we believe, calculated to make him a better physician. 
The most important effect they appear to have produced, was 
Vql. IV, 274 
Biography of Dr. De Buy. 
to turn his mind to that department of science, which, it 
brought to perfection, would in a degree supersede the ne- 
cessity of an extensive materia medica. The study of hygeia 
he thought was too much neglected. In his first surveys of 
this field of inquiry, he was so struck with its fertility, that 
he resolved to enter upon its cultivation. Ke accordingly 
read with attention all the modern works relating to the 
subject. 7 he French and German he found had contributed 
by far the most towards the elucidation of its elementary 
principles. From the older writers, whom he consulted in 
the true spirit of philosophy, he obtained many valuable hints 
and interesting facts. In a word, he diligently sought out 
every source of information which had a bearing upon the 
main object of his inquiries. His mind thus stored with the 
knowledge of others, was prepared to bring its own energies 
into the work of original investigation. Those who, in 
private, have enjoyed his free communications on the various 
topics embraced in his researches, could not but derive in- 
struction from them ; and at the same time feel a conviction, 
that he was fully qualified to advance the science in question. 
Had he lived, we have every reason to believe, that at some 
future time he would have distinguished himself by elevating 
the study of hygeia to its proper rank among the branches 
of professional education. 
The attainments of Dr. De Puy in natural history were 
highly respectable. Though not devoted to any branch in 
particular, his proficiency, generally, was such as enabled 
him with little preparation to prosecute with systematic accu- 
racy, any department belonging to that interesting and exten- 
sive study. In his tour through the northern and eastern 
States and the Canadas in 1820, he availed himself of the 
opportunities which offered, to extend his knowledge of min- 
eralogy and geology. He travelled solely for the purpose of 
improvement; and, we believe, was abundantly rewarded for 
his time and industry. The falls of Niagara, the lakes, and 
the diversified and stupendous scenery of the north, afforded 
subjects for contemplation in perfect congruity with the gene- Biography of Dr. De Buy. 
275 
ral tenor of his mind. The sublime in nature powerfully 
arrested his attention, and he dwelt upon its objects with a 
solemnity peculiar to himself. 
His mind at this period appears to have arrived at that 
point of maturity, in which, to a comprehensive range of 
knowledge was united a decision of character that fitted him, 
in a peculiar manner, for the enterprise in which he was final- 
ly engaged. It was early in the summer of the last year, that 
he conceived the design of visiting the countries of South 
America. The facilities offered him by Commodore Stewart 
on board of the Franklin, he thought were so favourable to 
the prosecution of a favourite object, that he determined to 
embark in her. This determination was not made in a mo- 
ment, when the imagination pictured to him a new world of 
gratifications, but was the conclusion of much serious reflec- 
tion. He fully considered the social privations, as well as the 
hardships and dangers, which must necessarily attend a three 
years’ absence in journeying by sea and land in a distant and 
comparatively unfrequented quarter of the globe. But these 
discouragements he regarded but as fleeting shadows over the 
bright prospect which fairly opened before him. The grati- 
fication of a laudable curiosity, the extension of his own 
knowledge, and the probability of being able to communicate 
to his countrymen, or at least to his friends, something inter- 
esting and original concerning the natural history and political 
condition of the rising states of South America, were, in his 
mind, considerations that outweighed all the objections against 
the proposed undertaking. Provided with every thing neces- 
sary to aid him in his researches, in the possession of vigo- 
rous health, and in the best feelings of a son, a brother, a 
friend, and a patriot, he left his country full of hope and full 
of composure. Heaven seemed to smile on his purpose; and 
in human calculation he was destined to return : but in the 
council of Omnipotence it was otherwise decreed. He was, 
indeed, permitted to contemplate in the southern hemisphere, 
to use his own beautiful quotation in a letter to a friend, “ a 
new heavens and a new earth.” and to enter upon the labours 276 
Biography of Dr. De Puy. 
and enjoyments he anticipated. But in an hour when least 
disturbed by fearful apprehensions, when no danger appeared 
to darken his prospect, the frail bark in which he sailed on an 
excursion from Valparaiso to Quintera, foundered near the 
coast, amidst the breakers of a swelling sea. Merged in the 
tumultuous waves, his earthly hopes were suddenly blasted ; 
and ah! who can tell his emotions when, in the consciousness 
of his situation, he found himself entwined in the arms of 
death, and sinking to a watery grave !—But while we pause 
to meditate on his tragical fate, let us not forget to joy in the 
reflection, that he was ever thoughtful on the uncertainties of 
life, and the contingences by which it might be suddenly 
closed ; and what is more important, that he was strongly 
impressed with the truth of the Christian religion, and had a 
deep sense of its high and holy obligations. 
Though Dr. De Puy had scarcely attained his thirtieth year, 
there was something in his character which strikingly elevated 
him above the generality of men. At all times modest and 
unobtrusive, his social qualities were known to those only who 
were intimately acquainted with him. His conduct was strictly 
governed by a nice sense of propriety ; and his deportment, 
both in public and private, was eminently calculated to ensure 
respect and command attention. To talents capable of ad- 
vancing the interests of science and literature, he united an 
ardent disposition to promote the cause of universal benevo- 
lence. Distinguished rather for strength and capaciousness 
of intellect than brilliancy of parts, he was more particularly 
qualified for undertakings which require the exercise ol the' 
understanding. When engaged in the study of a favourite 
subject, he gave his whole mind to its attainment, and at such 
times, no other object, however interesting in itself, could in 
the least degree divert his attention. This peculiarity mav, 
we believe, be considered as one of the most distinguishing- 
characteristics of his mind; for it frequently seemed to ope- 
rate with an intensity that deprived him of the enjoyments 
that spring from a variety of mental occupations. A mind Biography of Dr. De Buy. 
277 
capable of such inflexible devotion to a particular pursuit, was 
admirably fitted to study the character and explore the riches 
of a foreign country; and it was this consideration that ena- 
bled the friends of Dr. De Puy to assure themselves, that his 
travels would afford him an abundant increase of knowledge 
and fame. That his time was well and unremittingly em- 
ployed after he left this city, is fully attested in his journal 
and voluminous correspondence. On the voyage to Valpa- 
raiso he made so much progress in the study of the Spanish 
language, that on his arrival there, he could discourse intelli- 
gibly with the people of Chili. And, finally, considering 
his brief opportunities for research, the extent of his observa- 
tions, and the minuteness with which he has detailed them in 
writing, are truly surprising; and it is to be hoped, that his 
manuscripts, in judicious hands, will afford a selection of 
matter sufficiently interesting to communicate to the public.