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OBSERVATIONS
ON
THE ESTABLISHMENT
                   OF THE

                COLLEGE
                     OF

PHYSICIANS  AND  SURGEONS

           IN THE CITY OF NEW-YORK,

                AND THE LATE
    PROCEEDINGS OF THE REGENTS
                     OF
            THE  UNIVERSITY,
        RELATIVE TO THAT INSTITUTION.

               COMMUNICATED IN A
     LETTER TO JAMES S. STRING HAM, M. D.
                                         <y,j^p
           Prcfettor of Chemistry in Columbia College*
                                    ,'•', ■ "P* V .-■'•"
                    ebbs          .y/.y ti.} -.

         BY DAVID BO SACK, M. D.
        NEW-YORK:
PRINTED BY C. S. VAN WINKLE,
       No. 56 Pine-street.
          •mmmMNiMrt
           ion 
 
             OBSERVATIONS, §c.


                      New-Yorky May 4th, 1811.
  Dear Sir,
         In a conversation which I held with you a  few
days since, you stated that my associates, composing the
Faculty of Physic in Columbia College, have entertained
and expressed opinions unfavourable to me, as far as  they
relate to my connection with the College of Physicians and
Surgeons, and my conduct  in aiding and promoting the
objects  of that institution.  That the Faculty consider me
u as having for some years past approved of measures tend-
ing to  oppose the interests of Columbia College ^" that
" I have taken  an active part in that opposition ;"  that,
" contrary to the express wishes of my colleagues, I  have
been  instrumental in effecting the  changes lately made in
the College of  Physicians  and Surgeons :"  that further-
more " I have been the mean of taking from Dr. Post an
annual salary  which he received from the state as the Pro-
fessor of Anatomy in Columbia College :" You proceeded
to add,  that as it is my intention to remain attached to the
College of Physicians and Surgeons, and as my views and
wishes  are altogether distinct from the true interests of
Columbia College, " I ought, in the opinion of the Faculty
to resign the  Professorship held by me in that institution."
  To your candour and friendship I perceive I am indebt-
ed lor the information I have received relative  to the na-
ture and extent ot the charges alleged against  me by my
colleagues.  It is true I have learned from reports in cir-
culation, that I am considered the cause of the present dis-
contents among the medical gentlemen of the two colleges  ;
and that I  have been the instrument in producing the re-
volutions which have been, or are now likely to be effected.
But I  can assure the gentlemen who are disposed to as-
cribe to me so much influence, that I am not altogether en-
titled either to the credit or the censure which they attach
to the  proceedings that have taken place on that subject.
I beg leave also to observe that the Board of Regents, who
are composed of some of the most respectable men of the
state, and whose learning  and talents would render them
an honour to any state or country, are not, as those gentle. 
4
men should know, to be dictated  to  by me, or any other
individual.
   I should, however, have been more obliged to my asso-
ciate members of th  Faculty, if they had been as frank in
Lheir communications with me as they have been among
themstlvts, and with others  with whom  they have  con-
versed on this subject.   But although they have thus pre-
cipitately, and in the most public manner, expressed their
opinions, without giving me the least previous intimation
of them, or an opportunity of defending  my  conduct, I
will not reproach them for their want of candor or friend-
ship, lor 1 am well assured of the honourable motives by
which they have been actuated, and  that  they would not
intentionally do me an injury which they conceived to be
unmerited.  I feel no less confident, that when they peruse
the following statement of facts, they will as candidly ac-
knowledge that I have not deserved their censure, as they
have been free to bestow  it when they supposed it to be
just.  I will now proceed to examine the charges of mis-
conduct which have been alleged  against  me.   In  doing
this I will frankly detail all the circumstances which led to
my connection with the College  of Physicians  and  Sur-
geons, and the measures I have lately taken to advance the
interests of that  institution,   These details, I trust, will at
the same time furnish a satisfactory refutation of the ca-
lumnies that have been circulated.
   It is known that a School of Physic  existed in this city
as early as the year 17G9, and that, at'that time, a consi-
derable  number of students attended the medical lectures.
Although its professors were few in number, consisdng of
Dr. Clossy,  Dr. Peter Middleton, Dr. John  Jones,  and
Dr. Samuel Bard, the present President of the College of
Physicians  and   Surgeons, they  were all  distinguished
for their abilities  and  learning, and reflected great  credit
upon the institution of that day.   But their labours being
interrupted, and  the school destroyed bv the revolutionary
war, no exertions were made to restore the means of medi-
cal instruction, except by  a few individuals who delivered
lectures in their private capacity, until 1792, when the pre-
sent Medical School of Columbia College was organized,
and made an appendage to that institution.

,h£ nfT'  v a,1 WaS LpaSSed ^ the Legislature of the
state of New-York, on the 24th dav  of M ,rch,  1791, en-
titled,   An act to  enable the Regents of the University 
s
to establish a College  of Physicians and Surgeons within
this state."   But the Rt gents did not exercise that power
vested in them by the state, until  March,  1807.  By the
connection of the Medical School with Columbia College,
which,  as it  regards classical and  philosophical learning,
stands unrivalled in the United States,  it was  supposed
by its friends and patrons, that it would at  least have re-
covered its former celebrity, if  it  did  not become the
most distinguished seat of medical science.
   In that expectation they have  been lamentably disap-
pointed : The following documents, taken from the records
of the College,  from  the year 1792 to the  present time,
will shew the very inconsiderable number of students who
have resorted to this city for medical education, and the
still smaller number  of those  who have completed  their
course of stud)', and received the medical honours of Co-
lumbia College.  Similar documents which I have received,
of the state of medical learning in the city of Philadelphia,
for the same period of time, afford abundant evidence of the
comparative success of the  School of that city,  and the
stationary, if not retrograde condition of our own. It will be
also proper to add, that  prior to the year 1791, owing to si-
milar dissentions with those at present existing in New-
York, there were two distinct Medical Schools in the city of
 Philadelphia, viz.  that of the College of Philadelphia, and
another connected  with the University of Pennsylvania ;
 and that, before they became united under the University of
the state,  they  mutually injured each other, but neither
became respectable.  An union was  at last effected  by  com-
 bining the  talents of both  in the same institution.  Since
 that  event, the Medical School of that city has acquired
 such celebrity that in the number of its pupils it is at pre-
 sent only surpassed by  the University of Edinburgh.  It
 has not only been a source of honour and emolument to its
 Professors, but has also been the means  of advancing the
 literary character of  the state of Pennsylvania,  and of in-
 creasing the wealth of the city of  Philadelphia.
   It is calculated that at lerst one hundred  and twent; -five
 thousand dollars are annually expended in Philadelphia by
 the  medical  students resorting to that city from different
j^arts of th- union. 
8
  Documents taken from the records of Columbia
                    College.

NUMBER OF STUDENTS ATTENDING THE MEDICAL SCHOOL.
38	students during the	session of	1792-3.
43	do.	do.	179j-4.
40	do.	do.	1794-5.
39	do.	do.	1795-6.
29	do.	do.	1796-7.
29	do.	do.	1797-8.
34	do.	do.	1798-9.
21	do.	do.	1799-1800.
34	do.	do.	1800-1.
51	do.	do.	1801-2.
40	do.	do.	1802-3.
34	do.	do.	1803-4.
48	do.	do.	1804-5.
65	do.	do.	1805-6.
55	do.	do.	1806-7.
55	do.	do.	1807-8.
50	do.	do.	1808-9.
54	do.	do.	1809-10.
64	do.	do,	1810-11.
NUMBER OF GRADUATES.
5 received the	degree of doctor of medicine in	1793.
4 do.	do.	1794.
2 do.	do.	1795.
2 do.	do.	1796.
2 do.	do.	1797.
1 do.	do.	1798.
none do.	do.	1799.
none do.	do.	1800.
none do.	do.	1801.
4 do.	do.	1802.
3 do.	do.	1803.
3 do.	do.	1804.
2 do.	do.	1805.
1 do.	do.	1806.
2 do.	do.	1807.
none do.	do.	1808.
none do.	do.	1809.
3 do.	do.	1810.
 
7
  During  the same period of time, the number attending
the medical school  of  Philadelphia has been from two to
four hundred ; during th<» last year they amounted to four
hundred and fifty, of those, upwards of sixty received the
degree of doctor of medicine.
  I w ill not here enter  into the inquiry to  what causes the
failure of the medical department of Columbia College is
be ascribed.  Upon this subject I willingly divide with my
colleagues any demerit for  want of abilities, or censure for
want of exertions to render it more respectable.  But with the
facts before me that have been detailed, and  after the ex-
perience of nearly twenty years, seeing no prospect of any
great accession to our number of pupils, 1 conltss I became
desirous of any change  beirg  produced by which the means
of medical education in our city might be improved, but by
which they certainly could not  be  rendered worse.  I at
the same time freely acknowledge, that with the  hope of
seeing a medical school created, and organized in such
manner, as to reflect honour  upon our city, and that in its
advantages might be commensurate with  the  wealth and
commercial importance of the  state of New-York, I did
unite with other members of the  medical society of this
city and  county in soliciting, from the Regents of the
University,  a charter incorporating a college of Physicians
and Surgeons agreeably to the act passed for that purpose,
already  referred to ; for I  was certain,  that nothing was
wanting  but unanimity in  the profession,  to establish a
Medical School in this city equal in the talents and learn-
ing of its profe^ors,  and  in all the means of instruction,
to  any institution in this or any other  country.   A\ ith the
view of contributing as far as my  exertions might enable
me, to the accomplishment of this object, I accepted a pro-
fessorship in the new  College.  But the dissentions which
arose, the circumstances or causes of which need not here be
detailed, have hitherto, in a degree, interrupted the suc-
 cess of that establishment, and to a certain extent, disap-
 pointed its founders, the  Regents of the  University, as
 well as  the legislature, from whom very liberal pecuniary
patronage had  been derived for its support.*  Although
these feuds among .he Professors of the New College had
been productive of great temporary injury, still no conclu-

    • By an act of the Legislature, passed in November, 1808, 20,000
dollars were granted for the use  of the  College  of Physicians and
Surgeons. 
8
aion could be drawn unfavourable to the general principles
upon which it had been established.   On  the contrary, its
number of pupils during the first three years, exceeded the
most sanguine expectations.
   During the first session of the College of Physicians and
Surgeons, in  1807-8, its number of pupils amounted to 53 ;
in the second year to  72 ; in the third to 73 ;  but in the
last vear, in consequence of a misunderstanding that had
taken place in the College between the then president and
the professors, the number was considerably reduced.
   During the last session of the Legislature, the Regents
of the University, upon receiving information of the  dis-
sentions which had taken place in the College of Physi-
cians and  Surgeons,  and which had nearly  frustrated the
liberal views  by which they had been guided in  the institu-
tion, appointed a committee consisting of the Honourable
Chid Justice Kent, Judge Spencer and Judge Smith to in-
quire  into the nature of the misunderstandings that had ta-
ken pluce in the College, and to report upon the same.  The
following is their  report upon that subject.

    a At a meeting of the Regents of the University,  held,
      pursuant to adjournment, in  the  Senate Chamber,
       on  the first of April, 1811 :
  The committee to whom were referred several papers re-
lative to the state of the College of Physicians and Surgeons
in the city of New-York, report, that unfortunate misunder-
standings have taken  place between several professors  of
that institution which  have  already mater%dly impeded its
operations, and unless something t ffectual be done  by the
regents, it will become  degraded in the  estimation of the
public, and its usefulness will be inevitably destroyed.
  The committee have forborne to trace and bring to light
the conduct  of individuals,  because in   their  opinion it
would be both useless and invidious.
  Propositions have been made to the committee to re-mo-
del the institution, with a view of rendering its operation
more simple,  and of introducing into  it several  of the pro-
fessors of the  medical school in Columbia College, and other
eminent and distinguished individuals  ; this proposition has
been viewed  by the committee in the most favourable light,
as it may extinguish the feuds existing among the present
professors of the CoUege of Physiciaus and Surgeons, and as 
9
it will, in all probability, be the means of uniting the two
schools.
  The latter appears an object of the first importance, in as
much as it will assemble, in one institution, a splendid col-
lection of medical and surgical talents, and as it cannot fail
to merit and receive the patronage and encouragement of
the Legislature.
  It is unnecessary for the committee to attempt to display
the important advantages to  the state which a well organ-
ized medical school in the city of New-York must afford ;
its hospital, and the subjects furnished by the state prison,
without the violation of law,  present a field for the acquisi-
tion of medical and surgical knowledge  unrivalled in the
United States, and it is only requisite to establish an insti-
tution, under the fostering care of the Legislature, in which
shall be united the best talents, and to secure these advan-
tages to the state.
    Under these impressions the committee beg leave to re-
port an alteration of the charter of the College of Physi-
cians and Surgeons, and to propose a new list of officers and
professors."

  At  that time, the Mayor of this city, a member of the
Board of Regents, communicated to me  an  outline of
the measures, which, in  his  opinion, would be proper to
adopt, in order to  place  the Medical School upon a per-
manent and respectable basis.
  The great object proposed, was to unite, as far as was,
practicable, the talents of both Medical  Schools,  so as to
include the  gentlemen constituting the faculty of  Physic in
Columbia College,  and as nearly as  possible, to replace
each professor in the department he had occupied in  either
of the  two schools.  The  same gentleman having request-
ed  my opinion on the subject, I accordingly addressed to
him a letter in which  I  earnestly expressed my approba-
tion of the plan that had been proposed.  That letter was
shewn by  me to several medical  gentlemen in this  city,
most of whom approved of the measures that had been re-
commended,  as they  considered the union calculated to
conciliate the parties concerned, and would, at least, serve
as a basis tipon which a valuable superstructure might  be
hereafter erected.   In the same letter I also approved of
another proposition that  had been suggested by some ot
the members of the Board of Regents, viz. to vest the m-
                            o 
10
ternal government of the college (that had hitherto been ex-
ercised by the Censors and Senatus Academicus,) in aboard
of Trustees, to be composed of the President, Vice-Presi-
dent  Professors and Treasurer of the College, with others
of the most  respectable members of the profession.   Ihis
arrangement secures to the profession the chief  direction
of its own concerns, of  which they are supposed to be the
best judges, at the same time that it places the institution
in common with the other colleges of the  state, under the
superintending  and paternal care of the Regents  of the
University  from whom its existence  had been derived.
  Believing each profession to be the best guardian of  its
own interests, I acknowledge that I also approved of this
part of the plan proposed,  for I should as readily expect
the clergy to place their concerns at the disposal of physi-
cians or lawyers, as that we should delegate those of the
medical profession to any other body, than that which ex-
ercises a superintending care over the whole literary inte-
rests of the  state, as is done by the Chancellor and the Re-
gents of the University.
   Hnving thus freely expressed my individual opinion upon
the arrangements proposed, I also at the suggestion of Mr.
Clinton, called a meeting of the Faculty of Physic of Co-
lumbia College, and communicated to them the contem-
plated plan of union.  But, to my great surprise and morti-
fication, they were decidedly adverse to any changes what-
ever,  and absolutely refused to take any measures  which
might promote the projected union.  This determination of
the Faculty in the mean time did  not alter my opinion  of
the measures proposed by the  Regents, nor did it prevent
me in my individual capacity, from doing what I conceived
to be right, in promoting their views, as I considered them
calculated to subserve the  interests of the profession, and
to advance the literary reputation both of the city and state.
If that be an offence, I have indeed offended, and shall con-
tinue to offend; for as far as my exertions can contribute to
the success of the Medical School  now organised by the
Regents of the  University, they shall continue to be  de-
voted to that object, without the least regard to individual
interests,  when those interests may come in competition
with the general good.   And I trust I  may say, without
the fear of contradiction, or of being suspected of insincerity
in making  the declaration, that for the purpose of restoring
harmony to our profession, by which  its character and the 
11
public benefit might be promoted, I would, also, cheerfully
exclude my own personal interests on this occasion.
   As I have  been charged with procuring for myself the
present place  assigned me in the University,  I take this
occasion to observe, that I never solicited the appointment
with which I have been  honoured.  And for the sake of
securing the talents and co-operation of other gentlemen
appointed, Dr. Miller will do me the justice  to acknow-
ledge, that upon conversing with him on the appointments
made by the Regents,  I declared my willingness to yield to
him the professorship of the practice of Physic, he having
heldit under  the former organization of the College, and
to accept any other place which might  be  vacated.   To
such arrangement, if considered  expedient by the Trustees
of the College, I am still ready  to accede.
   As far therefore as I expressed  my approbation of the
measures proposed by the Regents of the  University,  I
acknowledge  I  have been " instrumental in effecting the
changes lately made in the College of Physicians and Sur-
geons."   But I must add, that in expressing that approba-
tion, I did it under the full impression that most of Tie gen-
tlemen appointed being desirous of promoting the general
interests of learning, and of their profession, would readily
make any sacrifices of their individual feelings, and accept
the places to  which they might be elected ; at the same
time, not doubting that any changes, which as a Board of
Trustees they might hereafter recommend to the Regents,
as important to the institution, would be adopted.  For it
is not  to  be questioned, that the Regents will always re-
ceive with respect, the recommendations of so numerous
and respectable  a Board  as would be constituted by  the
Trustees  of the College.—I furthermore subjoin, that  I
acted under the belief that the same plan would receive
the approbation of the Trustees  of Columbia College, and
that as far as it might be in their power to contribute to that
object, they would cheerfully co-operate with the Regents
in completing the  establishment of the  College of Physi-
cians  and  Surgeons.  Although the arrangements made
have excited some discontent,  as was naturally to be ex-
pected, it gives me pleasure to learn that they have receiv-
ed the approbation of the greater number of the professors
appointed in the new institution,  at the same time that they
will receive the support of the majority of the profession,
both in this city  and throughout the state;  while to the 
1'2
students of medicine, who are most interested in the suc-
cess of this change, they are generally acceptable.
  Another charge which calls for a reply is, that " of hav-
ing been the mean of taking from Dr. Post the annual sal-
cry of 500 dollars,  granted him by the state as  the profes-
sor of anatomy in Columbia College." This charge is both
indecorous and untrue.  Indecorous, because it implies an
undue influence  exercised by me over the opinions of the
whole legislative assembly of the state  ; and untrue, as I
have taken no concern whatever either directly or indireet-
ly, in procuring the act  of the  legislature relative to this
subject.  Nor can  it be said that the legislature have abso-
lutely taken from Dr. Post the above mentioned salary.  It
has only been transferred from the professorship of anato-
my in  Columbia  College  to  the same   professorship to
which he had been previously appointed in the nerv institu-
tion.  The Legislature,  doubtless confiding in the liberal
views of Dr. Post on this subject, and that he would not
resist or endeavour to defeat a measure that both his pat-
rons the Legislature, and the Regents of the University are
endeavouring to support, and  presuming that he would not
decline his new appointment as joint Professor  of Anatomy,
Surgery and Physiology,  did not hesitate  to transfer the
same salary   to the Professorship of Anatomy in the new
institution, under the direction of the Regents.  Nor could
the Legislature have consistently done otherwise without
appearing to  counteract the views of the Regents.  For it
would  have  been  perfectly absurd to suppose that  they
would continue a salary to Dr. Post, as Professor of Anat-
omy in Columbia College at the very time in  which the
Regents were endeavouring to establish a Medical School
that should supersede the necessity  of such  Professor-
ship.
  I cannot say with certainty, that by a subsequent arrange-
ment of the  Trustees of  the College of Physicians and
Surgeons, and a division of the duties of the Professorship
held jointly by Dr. Post  and Dr.  Smith,  the  anatomical
department would  have been surrendered exclusively to
Dr. Post, and with  it the  whole  amount of the salary.
But of this I am certain, that the additional  emoluments,
arising from  the  union of the two  Schools,  would abun-
dantly remunerate Dr. Post for any loss he might sustain
by  a division of  the salary he had heretofore received.
But should Dr.  Post conclude to decline the appointment 
13
made by the Regents, I am persuaded, in so doing, he will
not be governed by views of a pecuniary sort;  and I also
believe,  that his regard for the general good of  his profes-
sion will still induce him to comply with the  wishes
thus expressed by the Regents and the government  of the
state, by accepting  the appointment  with  which he has
been honoured in the University.
  With  regard to the resignation pf my professorship in
Columbia College, concerning which the Faculty have also
thought proper to express their opinion, I beg leave to in-
form you, that a  committee of the Regents of the Univer-
sity has been appointed " to signify to the trustees of Co-
lumbia College, that the object of the Regents,  in uniting
the medical  institutions in this  city,  is by combining the
talents of the professors in  one seminary ;  to render the
state of medical education more respectable and useful; and
that the  said committee are further authorised  to request,
in behalf of the Regents, the co-operation of the  said Trus-
tees in carrying the new arrangement into effect."  When-
ever, therefore, the Trustees of Columbia College may de-
termine how far they will co-operate with the Regents of
the University, I am ready  to  adopt such measures  as
they  may consider necessary or expedient.  Having been
honoured by them with the appointment  I hold in that
College, to them alone I consider myself amenable for my
conduct in relation to the medical schools of this city.
   I have now stated to you as briefly as possible my con-
nection with  the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and
the agency I have had in promoting the late coalition.
   Whether I have departed  from my duty as a friend to
medical science,  or  the interests of this city, I submit to
the decision of the profession, and of our fellow citizens
in general.
             I am, Sir, with esteem,
                    Yours, &c.
                                DAVID  HOSACK.
   Dr. James S. Stringham. 
 
Me.cL.Hl5t.
   WZ.

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