G252c 1855 1 -V'^fJ! .;.!'&&! i rffr??t" ',!^V '■-.■' ■' ■?! fapaiii mm !S%&;!5ii!-!!i:!-!!:-:; {i>?ll{!!lifllii|ll!i?l^l(!;ii / CATEGORICAL ACCOUNT /it. FEMALE MEDICAL COLLEGE, TO THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW ENGLAND STATES. BY HELEN M. GASSETT. »»» ■ ■ 'S f) bw\l BOSTON: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR. 1855. w Gr 2.52 c INTRODUCTION. Having been placed in an unfavorable position before the public, the past three and four years, and every effort having failed in bringing to light the false accusations with which I have been violently aspersed in pamphlet and newspaper, by the, officers of the Female Medical College, and now having disposed of them for the present, by a question of law, I deem it my right and duty to seek redress at this present time in the form of a book; giving every act within as clear and truthful as shall hereafter be proved to the public, if my wit- nesses lives are spared to them. And now I most respectfully ask my native kindred and fellow-citizens, to read with unprejudiced feelings ; remem- bering that I am one who claims a right by birth for protec- tion ; and no foreigner, colored or white — yet treated far worse by some of those who exposed themselves to prosecu- tions to save a poor unfortunate colored brother. I truly com- mend the gentleman in doing all within his power to rescue one poor creature from the accursed and shameful sin of slavery. But I wish to obtain only that right in my own land they seek to confer on foreigners and fugitives; which they have most wickedly sought to wrest from me; that I may have the privilege of obtaining a livelihood without being compelled to beg, or live in an impeachable manner. SOME ACCOUNT OF AN EXPERIENCE WITH THE NEW ENGLAND FEMALE MEDICAL INSTITUTION. CHAPTER I. In the month of August, 1849,1 was in the city of Bos- ton, Massachusetts, on a visit. The 15th I called upon Dr. Waters, 115 Court street, and while there I noticed among several papers of various kinds a circular of the American Medical Education Society, and made some inquiries of Dr. W. about this society, and of some others. He gave me general information, and then said, that they were in want of an agent, — that they had wanted him to act as one, but his time being so much occupied it was impossible for him to do so. Why won't you take it ? I think you would suc- ceed admirably. Well, it was something new to me. I did not know any- thing about the business or the society. He then gave me a pamphlet to read, and a circular. The pamphlet was very' improperly written, and the manner the cause was advoca- ted through it I entirely disapproved of—and informed him to that effect on the 20th. I also told him if it were revised some good might be realized in carrying out a book, 6 but not such a book as that, for it condemned the faculty in toto. And in order to have such a cause flourish, they ought to co-operate with them, and that without their approval, they must and could not expect very great success. He thought himself it would tend to do more good if modified, though true. I then inquired of him their terms in reference to the agency. He said that they gave 33 per cent., but if they could get one who would be willing to devote her whole time to the cause, that they would give 50. I told him that I had never had any kind of experience in such kind of business, and that I hardly knew what to say about it, but finally concluded to make a trial the next day, and I did, and continued so to do till the 5th of September, when I told Dr. W. unless the book was revised, I should make no fur- ther attempt. I could obtain nothing, especially if ladies saw the book, and any one I met with knew Mr. Gregory. The title of the book was " Female Midwifery Advocated." I ill give a few statements of the manner this book was recei ed — to show the feelings of persons on reading a few of its pages: " I do not believe any of those statements. I have always had physicians, and never have had occasion to feel dissatis- fied with their practice." — "I have examined your book, but I do not wish to purchase it." —" I looked into the book you left the other day, and committed it to the flames. Here is the pay for it, but do not offer any such book to any other person, for it is not proper to have it in the house." — " Whoever published such a book had better go out with a saw and saw-horse upon his back, than seek a living by publishing such a work as that. It shows their society to be not what it should be." This is a specimen of the reception I met with in the sale of said book. 7 On the 5th of September, I decided to carry out no more books till revised. I could do better I found when I did not take them out with me, than when I did. Mr. Gregory spoke of another agent — a Mrs. Heald. If I wished to learn anything more definite about the society I could call upon her — that she had attended the school the spring term, and since she had been engaged in the agency. I called upon her, and made inquiries of her success. She said that she had been out in the north and west part of the city, but her success had been so poor that she was going out no more. She named another person engaged in the agency at the south-east part of the city, and that her success was no better. From what I learnt of Mrs. H. I felt less encour- aged in my success—but thought the cause a good one, provided I could get an interest among an influential class of ladies; and concluded to continue in the agency a while longer. And did so until December, when I thought best to give the agency up ; persons having so little interest in the cause, and to obtain enough to pay even my board I did not and could not. I informed Dr. W. and Mr. Gregory thus, but Mr. G. said I must not think of such a thing — that he found that I was making a favorable impression upon the minds of persons and in the public, and that I must continue in the agency if it took every cent I collected, till the pub- lic became more acquainted with its object, when the people would give more readily, and then I should be able to pay in the arrearages. I will relate a few instances of my labors in the field when first I began in this agency: Many days in the winter of forty-nine and fifty, I was out making calls upon our most wealthy and influential ladies, when it was almost impossible for a female to be out. I found it difficult to see the lady of the house — she was either out or going out, or had company, or was sick. Of a pleasant 8 day it was next to impossible to see any one that I wanted to. On some persons that winter I called five, six and seven times before getting admission, and the sum of one dollar each and their names. I commenced with but six names upon my book, and it bebg so little known people were very slow to give, and most doubted the expediency of such a society. The 22d of December, Samuel Gregory called — recom- mended my going to South Boston ; thought that I might be more successful there — that it had been talked of rather more, and that several women had attended the school from that place. He also told me at this time that for all the women I could obtain or influence to attend the school I should have five dollars each, and recommended my calling upon one in particular, and I did, but she declined having anything to do with the matter, and said that she Had already more of that kind of business than she knew how to attend to, — that she had no trouble, and that Mr. Gregory called upon her, and she had informed him so. But when I re- minded him of it on the 13th of December, 1850, he promptly denied it. In January I made several excursions to South Boston, through Gregory's suggestion, and was no more successful there than in the city proper. He then recommended my going to Lowell, there being a great number of women in the place, and thought I might meet with several that would favor the cause and would like to attend the school. I went there on the 23d of February, and stopped one fortnight. I did not meet with any better success. I just made out to obtain enough to cover my expenses, and enable me to return to the city. There were five women in Lowell who gave me encouragement that they would attend the 9 school in the fall if we got it into operation. But I was to visit there again before it commenced, to let them know of its success, when they would give me something for its sup- port, and in the meanwhile engaged to do what they could to interest others to aid and to attend the school. I did not visit there again; for at the time I had made my arrangements too, my faith was somewhat weakened and I could not agree with the officers in the management. There were none appeared from Lowell the fall term; probably they concluded it had fallen through. After I returned from Lowell I remained in the city ten weeks, and was more successful; so much so, that I obtained quite a handsome list of names, with one dollar each accom- panying them; and the influence of these ladies' names secured a charter from the Legislature on the 30th day of April, A. D., eighteen hundred and fifty. In the course of the past ten weeks I met with several ladies that had given to other agents. I told Gregory of it, and he advised me to say nothing about it, as it would be an injury to the cause; but that I had better put their names in my book; I did so. But when I gave up my books I erased them, and all names of persons who had given encouragement, that they would give at some future day, and their names be used as an influence upon others. Greg- ory said, when you call upon persons that are influential in society, such as ministers and wives, &c, if they do not feel able to contribute and approve the cause — put their names down if they are willing, that should constitute them mem- bers, the same as if they paid one dollar. Because, others seeing such names might be induced to contribute, when other- wise they would not. Article fifth of the Constitution, 1849, reads thus:—"Any citizen of the United States, may become a member of this Society, by subscribing, or direct- 2 10 ing his name to be affixed to the constitution, and paying to the Treasurer the sum of one dollar. All future aid from mem- bers voluntary. Members and their families will have access to the Society's rooms, which will be furnished with a valuable lecturing apparatus, engravings and works of reference as fast as funds permit, and will in time become an inter- esting and instructive Anatomical and Physiological Museum. You see the fee was one dollar, and Gregory said that those who contributed that sum were not to be yearly assessed, and to be particular in informing them so, because many decline aiding a society on that account, fearing yearly assessments. A person now to become a member, is obliged to pay twenty times as much without receiving as many advantages as were offered to the members in the first of its organiz- ation. A great many people have said to me, we have given to the cause for the reason they educate women that are poor, and assist that class in getting a better and more respect- able livelihood. They had not the slightest idea however that their money went not for that. But it is true, it does not — not one cent of it, and never has, — all pupils have paid their own fees until this year, and the State paid the teachers. m CHAPTER II. On the thirteenth of May, I went to New Bedford. S. Gregory thought I might meet with favors, as he had just returned from that place, where he had been lecturing upon the subject. But while there, three weeks, I did not meet with one person that heard of him, or his lectures, or knew anything of the society. I labored there and at Fairhaven, Nan- tucket and the Vineyard, with more success than during the winter months. On the seventeenth of June, I went to Concord, N. H., where I labored as I had done in other places I had visited. I met with many ladies disposed to participate in the cause, provided there could be constitutions framed and given them, embracing those principles that I represented. But they did not feel disposed to do anything unless something of the kind could be effected, because they had no money to spare to be carried out of the place for'any other cause. I will relate the form I advocated to them, the same as in other places. The cause to be carried out, and as I felt it would be the most conducive to the prosperity and success of the society. 1. That in every town there be a society, auxiliary to the principal one in Boston, and that each society select any one in their own vicinity, possessing the character requisite for the profession, and provide all the means for her, if the person was unable to pay her own expenses. This seemed 12 to meet their views, very favorably indeed, but the ladies were more particular on this point in this place than they had been in any other town or city I had visited. They were not disposed to make an effort unless they could have a constitution and by-laws, with a book arranged and sent them from the officers recognizing them as an Auxiliary Society, and then they were very willing to make an effort to forward the project. I wrote to Samuel Gregory to the same effect, and received the following letter in answer to it, which I copy. Boston, June 26th, 1850. Mrs. Gassett: Yours of the 24th is received. It seems that people are slow to give in Concord. It is possible that the nearer Boston., where people have heard more about it the better will be your success, though I hope you may do something in Manchester and Nashau. As to Auxiliary Societies, I think we had better throw aside all machinery and aim at one object—gettiny funds now. We wish to simplify and consolidate our business. Hav- ing a corporation to conduct the School and Hospital,'all we want now is to get the school provided for, and then adver- tise broad cast for pupils, just as the Mass. Medical College does. Those ladies who have joined already can call at the school, and hear some lectures as promised; and any who may henceforth give may have access to the rooms to see the apparatus. But that is about all that it would be best to promise them. I find that gentlemen give quite as readily, to say nothing about any society; some dislike to join a society, lest they should be called on annually, or come under some liabilities for the future. Therefore, of late, I simply ask for the money, — present only one idea to them and they are more apt to do something. 13 You perceive that the circular advises gentlemen and ladies to select and aid suitable women. If any feel inter- ested enough to follow the advise, they can look round among their friends and neighbors, or can form an association if they choose to accomplish the object. I have found that persons rarely ever do much in their own towns, unless it is while the agents is with them; and then too, having so many things to plan and effect, it exhausts the strength and time of an agent. And after all, leaves it doubtful whether the bird in the bush may hereafter be caught. If ladies wish to aid the fund, they can follow the suggestion of the circular to collect money of their acquaintances and others, and send it to the society. That would not throw any blame on the society if the per- sons should not prove trust-worthy, because they would have no special authority, only to such as expect to accomplish a good deal, by making it their sole business. What people do in their own villages or cities let them do it on their own responsibility ; and then they will obtain money only from those who are willing to trust it in their hands. The circu- lar is intended to be a sufficient guide for those who wish to aid or send pupils. It is well to encourage those ideas as you pass along as secondary matters. But what we must find first, is the means to put our school in a suitable condi- tion for the Fall term. Mr. Marsh agrees in these views. Hope you will not be discouraged because we don't happen to agree exactly on the points you mentioned. Samuel Geegory. From the foregoing letter any one could become an agent, male or female, with no impunity whatever. The encour- agement is given and held out to others. Permit me to illustrate upon the preceding epistle, 14 though not perhaps in a very competent manner. Yet it may serve in part, to convey my own ideas to those who may read this publication, of the manner I contended said insti- tution ought to be carried out, it being at this time that I wrote to Mr. Gregory for constitutions to be framed for Auxiliary Societies, and received said letter in answer to it. Suppose I was a beggar, without profession, trade, or money, and should go into a village, town or city, where there was no church after my order of worship, and in order to have one built to accommodate myself, especially in pecu- niary point of view, should seek in the first place to get a few individuals to give their influence so far as their names might go, but not to ask time or money. I commence by presenting a drawn up petition to differ- ent persons. I say nothing about what it is for, but simply demand money. I send another agent into the same field and only one idea is to be presented. It is given at hap- hazzard, no interest whatever is excited by either party. I continue in either or city till I succeed in obtaining a sum sufficient to keep myself and agent finely filled and furnished with the best materials, affording us all the lux- uries of life. I advertise broad cast that such a church is in contemplation, meetings are held a certain season of the year, all the rest of the year it remains unoccupied, paying several hundred dollars to no purpose or for any good, except to the owner, myself and agent. This advertising broad cast encourages those who may by chance see it to give when called upon, to said cause. The church is kept continually before the public in con- templation of being built. Reports are issued yearly giving statements in the last that appeared in the first, how very important that such a church should be built, the good to be realized from it, and that a hundred thousand dollars is needed to furnish a suitable one. 15 But when you seek to find it you may by chance meet with some one that has heard of it through the papers, or has aided when called upon for the purpose of ridding himself or herself of an importuning agent or they may not have heard of it. At last an effort is made to find it, and after a great search succeed in discovering the whole of ten years sub- scriptions public and private, stowed into a little small back room in an upper story of a building. You enter, and on looking around the room you see some fifteen or twenty pieces of paste board hanging, a box in one corner with a figure within, that is never used and of no service to any one or any thing, some five or six rows of seats and benches and a closet containing a piece of furniture to lecture over. Such being the substance of what you can discover of the beggar's church out of the fifteen thousand dollars, it being all there is to show for it, and I have used none of the sub- scription money either to pay the ministers when I have employed them. But people begin to feel its rather more of a nuisance than practicable, and lessen their subscriptions, and having pretty well sponged the public, I now appeal to the State Legislature. While in session, I follow the representatives up closely, — give a few lectures upon the origin, condition and progress of my church, and of the feasibility in having such an institution, — till I obtain from that body the sum of ten thousand dollars, provided I can get ten thousand more from other sources. Having obtained fifteen thousand dollars and no questions being asked either in private or public, I can still continue to figure as best suits my pleasure, seated like a lord in a finely furnished room, paying rent at the rate of one hun- dred and seventy-five dollars per year, boarding at one of 16 best of hotels in the city, nothing short of a dollar per day. I walk at my leisure, — keep little at a distance that I may not be questioned too closely about my affairs, but just near enough to know how to take what may come up by mouth or in print,—in other words just stand behind the door, ready to arrest all that should be likely to come up, to oppose my genteel sustenance and my very pious and dignified garb of righteousness, there being few who wear a more sanctimonious exterior. Twenty thousand dollars more are claimed and allowed. What am I to accomplish with that sum ? Assist some rela- tions ; it costs considerable for me to live ; I have a mother to support, and it costs something to do that; and then the preparation of reports yearly so that I may be represented as yet alive. But at the end of another ten years if I am not deprived of my public maintainance, I may get married and live in as genteel and fashionable a style as any of our nabobs,— and certainly there is no harm in begging if I can do it gen- teelly and be supported by the wealthy as well as the more common class, even if I do take a doUar now and then from a person that labors hard with his own hands, and earns it by the sweat of his brow. My plot is laid, and if it be un- der a pretence, I shaU and will persist in thus pursuing it and erect the church. Any one who attempts to make any proposition to amend the management of it I silence with the assistance of an ignorant and zealous agent who if she has the slightest idea that I am about to call on a lady, will be immediately in pursuit of me, till every scheme that is in process becomes void of interest because I must pay no regard to contributors or life members, they being nothing but members, having no rights in its management, and the gentlemen whose names stand as officers having no 17 objections to the use of their names so long as I can manage it without their assistance. Therefore I have everything my own way by keeping every one in his or her own place. Hence I am finely fitted and equipped for another term of one, two, or three years expedition. Thus ends the history of the first five, seven, or ten years of my contemplated church, with not an individual person- ally active or interested in its management except myself and agent. If I wished to establish myself in business, would it be more workmanlike to put my building in readi- ness by fitting in my machinery before making proper inqui- ries and arrangements for the article I intended to manufac- ure ? — or would it be more proper and conducive to my prosperity to advertise broadcast — without further expla- nation or exertion ? But I will return to the subject from which I have una- voidably digressed, viz., to represent the method I earnestly labored for, in conducting the institution under considera tion. In the first place I sought to interest the ladies. Sec ondly, to organize auxiliary societies. Thirdly, to seek those persons competent for the profession. Fourthly, funds. Let me explain my motive in first interesting ladies. It struck my mind forcibly at the commencement of this agen- cy, the importance of each lady's duty to attend and con- tribute each proportionably in funds or efforts ; therefore I called only upon the females, feeling it was a duty alone for them to conduct and carry into operation, and I succeeded far better than I had reason to expect when I began ; for when I carried out at first a bad representation, I was re- ceived with an upbraiding word and air ; but when that was left behind, the reverse was made manifest, and I could then 3 18 converse with them freely, and seldom left one unfavorably impressed, but usually more disposed to think of it, and she perhaps would give when I called again. And I aimed to make each feel the good she might do in her own family or circle of acquaintance by being thus interested. That as a general thing nurses have no advantages, and a great com- plaint has always been made by physicians, in the ill-success of ignorant ones, and that females often met with those per- sons who seem to have been born nurses and thus have it within their power to advance the cause better than a com- pany of men. There are very few ladies in this country of reforms that are not more or less acquainted with and interested in one or more worthy persons who are suited in capacity for good nurses and midwives, that are in indigent circumstances ; — and if the ladies I called upon in the years forty-nine and fifty had been properly sought and interested upon such duty, in the year fifty-one the duty of selecting such persons with the assurance of encouragement, and aiding them through with a thorough education in midwifery ; after these efforts had been accomplished, these ladies would with deep- er interest sought to have prosperously sustained them in the public by employing them and encouraging others to do so likewise. Secondly. Auxiliaries would have accomplished the same as above described instead of one individual, and more widely have diffused the knowledge of said institution ; so instead of not having one auxiliary, there might have been fifty or an hundred at the present day, as well as that num- ber of students. In the third place. The duty of seeking out suitable per- sons is one of great importance. The person desired should have a natural gift for this kind of business as for anv other. J 19 For instance, for dress, bonnet or cap making, a person with a natural tact at dress making rarely makes a mistake in a good fit, and giving satisfaction to the patronizer, and in far less time than the one deficient in the necessary qual- ifications. The person possessing the qualifications for cap-making would complete one in half an hour; one deficient could not in a lifetime, and the last is not to be compared with the first in her natural endowments. So persons to be educated ought to possess those faculities of application which should enable them to perform their duties judiciously; — as they are those of life or death ; and many persons of the kind might have been obtained in the year 1851, if the proper means had been used to en- courage them. But the method they at first adopted and since have car- ried out, of presenting one idea only, viz., money, and re- sorting to gentlemen for that instead of making the ladies sensible that it was their duty, and their business devolving on them, to make every effort to rightly establish this enter prise, has resulted in turning the minds of many who for- merly advocated the cause with zeal. Fourthly. Funds when needed for any laudable purpose are always obtainable, if rightly sought for. Now, through the instrumentality of these auxiliary socie- ties, organized through the state and states, a sympathy and union of feeling would have been excited in the community to act voluntarily in providing and sustaining the cause ; for the reason that every one would have been made properly acquainted with the merits of the parent society, established in the city of Boston, and the recognition of them as members of it would have done much towards interesting themselves and families in its progress, as to characters and funds. 20 But let us look at the subject in the light of presenting one idea only, that of advertising broadcast for money, which appears to be the prominent one of Mr. Gregory. In the fall of 1850, that I was connected with the society, there were twenty ; the next term, sixteen or eighteen ; and finally in the year fifty-three or fifty-four, they had from two to five; and this last term, one only that had interest enough for a professional education, who paid her tuition. Here is a de- crease of nineteen since the years 1850-51, of females seek- ing such a desirable object. They have advertised laigely, but only one attended that paid her own expenses. But on looking over their reports you will see charges for extra travelling expenses to get pupils to come under the new ap- plication— to the legislature, instead of seeking them through proper means, and in all their efforts they did not get the number of forty from April to November ; only part of the number, some thirteen or fourteen, from November first till some time the latter part of December, or first of January, then not but twenty-seven; yet they drew all the money (one thousand dollars) for the forty. Some pupils seemed to have jealous feelings towards certain of the teach- ers for their lack of interest in instructing them ; some re- ceiving better and more attention than others; and rather uncomfortable feelings on the whole were often manifested by the neglected portion of students. My comments having been very long upon the letter in question, my reasons for them are, that all persons may judge my views and interest; whether I was seeking honor, money or the good which might flow from such a society ; if rightly conducted and established. Also, that every one can clearly comprehend the reason of my wishing to withdraw all the interest and support which I had ardently and freely labored to bestow in and upon the institution. CHAPTER III. June 26, left Concord and went to Manchester and stopped four days in this place. I met the same objection here as in Concord, and the same feelings were exhibited in forming a society. I left there on the fourth day, intending to visit there again, as I learnt that there were three females that were out of town, and the probability was if I could see them they might attend the school the fall term. I went to Nashua on the 29th of June. In the evening received a letter from Mr. Gregory in the following terms: Boston, June 29,1850. Mrs. Gassett: Since I wrote to you, we have an opportunity to hire Dr. Winslow Lewis' house, furniture and 3,000 volumes of me- dical library, and everything for a complete school. He is going to Europe for two or more years. In this way we get the whole weight of his influence, and he being President of the Boylston Medical School, it will aid us more than anything that has happened of late. The rent is pretty high of course; but we are making an effort to find enough to pledge $100 each to meet it. If we can't get $100 subscribers, we shall endeavor to get $50. Jonas Chickering headed the list yesterday with $50. Now I have been thinking that you might aid very much by calling on some of the rich ladies whom you have seen 22 here, and this special object will strike them so favorably that they will give fifty or a hundred dollars each for the purpose. If they are out in their country seats you can ride out and find them. We have but a fortnight left, for Dr. L. Now, Dr. Rolfe, (the term being closed,) myself, you and Mrs. Golding, I think, can secure the whole in that time. If your funds will permit, you had better come immedi- ately, I think, and aid us in raising the amount needed for the house. If we can secure it, it will help to draw in pupils, and some of the rooms can be used for patients. Please write on receipt of this, unless you come yourself. Very respectfully, S. Gregory. I received the above letter on Saturday evening, and re- turned on Monday morning, the first day of July. Immedi- ately after arriving in the city I called at 25 Cornhill street, at Mr. Marsh's store, where Mr. Gregory had his office, and Mr. G. stated to me the particulars in reference to their taking the house, and said if I could call upon some of the wealthy ladies who had contributed five dollars, and make known their intentions, they might be willing to put down fifty or one hundred dollars, to be paid in at certain times when it best suited their convenience. I made a great many calls, but found most of those per- sons that Mr. Gregory thought might give, out of the city for the season, so that it was impossible to accomplish much in point of security, the little time I had to do it, in that manner. Every evening Mr. Gregory called to ascertain my suc- cess through the day till the ninth, when he came with a note from Dr. Lewis to himself, as follows : 2"3 " Tuesday, July 9th, 1850. Dear Sir: I must consider that our compact about my house will ter- minate on Friday next, as some good offers have been made to me which I think I shall accept. To Dr. Gregory Your obedient serv't., or Winslow Lewis." Dr. Rolfe. He stated to me at this time that he was fearful that they should not be able to get the house, as he could not get any one to become responsible for a sum beyond fifty dollars ; and only one hundred and fifty dollars by four individuals. It occurred to me that some acquaintances of mine who lived out of town might feel disposed to do something for the cause, and I proposed going to see them. Mr. Gregory favored it. I went the next day and returned in the even- ing, but did not succeed as I was in hopes to do. Thursday, A. M., Gregory called to learn the result. I gave it as above. I then asked him if the Directors would not secure it for the cause. He said that they were not disposed to. It struck me rather strangely that they were not wiUing, amply able as they were, and so many of them too. And I re- marked that I thought that they could not have much inter- est in the cause to let such an opportunity pass ; and that if they could not do that, I should feel actually ashamed of them as Directors, and then said, if Dr. Lewis would accept of a note of four hundred from me as security I would give it. Mr. G. wished for some references to learn my respon- sibility, and I referred him to Dr. Waters and gave the rea- son for referring him to Dr. W., only that if he should make any farther inquiries he would not get the security, for my 24 friends would so much oppose my taking such a responsibil- ity, without other security. He called upon Dr. W., who told him that I was good for that amount he had no doubt, but that he did not approve of their subjecting me to such liabilities ; that he did not think it proper for them to accept of it, if I were willing they should. Gregory said that I would be running no risk, for I should have the agency and could get the amount * and hold the same in case of any arrearages ; so that would protect me against pecuniary loss. After this interview with Dr. "Waters, he called upon me, and desired me to call on Dr. Lewis and wife, and said that he had seen them and spoken of me to them, and if I should call on them they might feel more disposed to leave the house. I called accordingly, and had considerable conver- sation with the Doctor and his lady about their leasing the house and said if they should conclude to do so I should feel as much interested in preserving with care what they were disposed to leave for the Society's use, as if it were my own. On the fifteenth of July, Mr. Gregory called again to see if I were still willing to give security. I told him I was, if they could do no better. He assured me that I run no risk if I did give it; that I had the agency and could obtain the amount at once, and hold it in case of any arrearages of rent. He then asked me to write a note, to be given to Dr. Lewis. I told him I would if he would tell me how he would like one written ; or if he would write one, I would sign it. He replied, if I would get the stationery, pen, ink and paper, he would. I did so, and he wrote one and I copied it, and signed it. It was as follows : 25 " Boston, July 15,1850. Dr. Lewis: Should you let your house to the Female-Medical-Educa- tion-Society, I hereby agree to be responsible for any arrearages of rent to the amount of four hundred dollars. Helen M. Gassett." It may appear strange to many that I was willing to give the above security, I will therefore give my reasons that the reader may better estimate the interest I had in the cause, and the disadvantages I labored under in not having a location. I had labored a year into one month without having other than an office to refer all who made inquiries of the society's edifice. And a few of these inquiries represented as they were made, will, I think, readily convince any can- did person of the importance of having a desirable and suitable location for the building. " Where is your Society located ? " We have only an office at present, and that is at Mr. B. Marsh's book store, 25 Cornhill street. " What do they want of money then ?" To provide them with better and more suitable apartments. " What have they done with the money they have already obtained ?" They have not yet made any proficiency in the cause ; it is in its infancy, and it being very important that every lady should know the merits of such a cause, in order to have it occupy and maintain a commendable position in the public, they are obliged to be at the expense of sending out agents, and it being so little known very few have con- tributed to its support. Many ladies have declined aiding for no other reason than having no Society apartments, and have said, " We 4 26 should have no objections in giving a little something, if you had any head quarters to represent your Society from." Meeting with these objections daily, I fully realized the importance of some suitable situation like the one in ques- tion. But I had not placed myself at all prominent in ponit of getting it only by Mr. Gregory's solicitations. But whatever I could do to establish one through my labor and means, I was willing to accomplish, taking only the agency for my security. CHAPTER IV. At the time I signed the obligation, Mr. Gregory wanted. to know if I would not take the house. I promptly de- clined. He wished to know my objections. I told him that I felt sometimes the agency to be more than I knew how to manage, and for me to take the house, and continue the agency at the same time, would be quite too great a tax on my health. He then said that Dr. Rolfe, the teacher, wanted it. I told him he had better let him have it if he were a suitable person. (I had never seen this gentleman, and of course knew nothing about him.) But Mr. Gregory offered the following objections to the individual: The first was, that the Doctor and his wife were country people, and not accustomed to city life and society; and thus, when ladies called at the house, the visitors would not be favorably impressed, as such occupants were not very neat nor particular. The second was, that they had several small children, and that they would be about the house and be likely to be too much in the way, and it would not look well to stran- gers when they called to see children around. The third was, that the- Doctor was very familiar with some of the women that attended the school, the Spring term who were of the common class ; and that these women would be too familiar, and being about the house would make its 28 apartments too common ; and he thought under these circum- stances that the doctor would not do as well as a stranger. He thought further, it would be best to get a stranger — a person of dignity, to keep this common class of women in their place. He meant those who had attended the school. I told him I was acquainted with a lady possessing the capacity requisite for such a situation, if she could be obtained, and that if they could not procure one to their satisfaction, I would ascertain if this person would come. On the nineteenth of July, Mr. G. called again, and stated that they had not obtained any one, and that they would like to see the lady I had mentioned, and recommended my going into the country for her, that by going to see her I could represent the condition of things better than by letter ; and if she thought favorable of matters and could come to the city with me and see for herself she would be better able to judge what she would do. On the twentieth of July, I went into the country for the lady, and returned on Monday, the twenty-second, she com- ing with me. Mr. Gregory made his proposition to her about taking the house, but she had so little time to digest them, being obliged to return the day following, that she left without deciding what course to take ; but was to give the subject due consideration, and return her decision by letter. On the twenty-fifth, Mr. Gregory wished me to have another interview with her. He had received a letter from her, stating objections in taking the house, and if I would go that I might obviate them better by personal conference than by letter. I accordingly went in the afternoon and returned the next morning. She gave some encouragement of taking it, but was not wholly prepared to say what she would do till she had seen some of her friends ; and after she had con- 29 suited them she would then give her answer, (which would be in a few days,) by letter to S. Gregory. I now felt that I had done all that I could to encourage her in taking the house, and as she seemed to speak rather more encouragingly I had no doubt but what she would take it, and concluded to return to my agency again, for I had increased by responsibilities and liabilities, and knew that I had got to be pretty expeditious to accomplish aU I had in con- templation of doing for the three months to come. And on the first day of August, I left Boston for New Bedford and Newport. I had no doubt in my mind but what this lady, or some other person would be obtained, and would be in the house long before my return. I was absent one fortnight. When I came back I was not a little surprised to find the house was still vacant, and she whose services I had made such efforts to secure decided not to engage, and I further learned from Mr. Gregory that he had made no exertions to procure a substitute, but had remained quietly for my return. He gave for his reasons in not seeking another person that he thought best to await my return, and then get me to go and see her again, that I might effect more for him than to write, and if possible to get her to come to the city again with me. Accordingly I went in the afternoon, after arriv- ing from Newport, although the day before I had given myself no repose, nor for thirty-six hours had I taken any rest, and on learning of this delinquency twelve hours more were added to this one day's service. The lady returns the day following with me to the city and saw Mr. G., then went back undecided, but on the eighteenth August, I received a letter from her, stating that this undertaking had impaired her health somewhat, but she had not given up the idea of taking the house, and she should 30 like the propositions upon paper as she had not a clear understanding of them. I informed Mr. Gregory of her request, and his answer to her by letter is as follows :— " The Society, as you are aware, pay $1200 rent and the addition of taxes. We retain the office and the use of one room, for the pupils to occupy what time may be needed during the day for study and for lectures. With these reservations, worth perhaps $400. We offer you the house and furniture for $400 a year. We pay all the taxes. You are to have the care of the house and office, and the office bell, except the Doctor will answer his own bell nights. You are also to wait on ladies who may call to inquire about the affairs of the institution, and give any necessary infor- mation respecting the school. You can have also the oppor- tunity to take charge of the intelligence department for nurses in the office, and have one-half of the receipts of the same, the fee will be one dollar for obtaining a nurse through the office, and learning something of her qualifica- tions and references. As there are two hundred or more nurses in the city constantly changing places, it is reason- able to suppose there will be some income from this source." On the nineteenth August, Mr. Gregory wished me to take a few of my things and go to the house, and proposed my getting some person in to commence cleaning and getting it in order, and await the decision of the lady, and that there might be some persons disposed to call, seeing the sign upon the house. On the twentieth of August, I went, but with reluctance, for I felt more like taking six weeks rest than applying my already overtaxed powers to cleaning and putting a house in order for another person, and to get in persons to do the cleaning. I was exposing myself to much greater expense besides doing all the work. But I thought if the lady would 31 come, as appeared to be probable, she being just the person needed to fill this station, I would not shrink from the task till I saw every post filled and every duty performed. On the twenty-seventh of August, I received a letter from her, stating her objections to taking the house. She says : " I know and feel assured, that you have done everything to make this situation you have offered me pleasant and agree- able ; that you have worked hard to make my burden light; also that you would do everything to make it profitable ; still I feel that I cannot undertake it with my present health, therefore, I have come to the conclusion to remain here for the present." Thus ended my earnest efforts to procure the services of one who would have done much in placing the affairs of the institution in a favorable position in the community. CHAPTER V. My next effort was to get a gentleman and his wife to take the house. For several days I received considerable encour- i agement. But upon a more serious consideration, the appli- cants came to the conclusion that the annoyance of the pupils about the house, and the dining-room might be too common to afford them sufficient time to eat their meals unmolested. I so informed Mr. Gregory, and he said that if they would take the house they might be assured of no trouble, for the pupils would have no more light in going through the rooms than in going into a neighbor's house ; and that they would not use the dining-room but a couple of hours, in the fore part or later part of the day, and if they should come in when that was occupied they could step into the office and be seated. I suggested this to them, but to no effect. They recommedded a friend at Auburndale, and measures were taken by Mr. Gregory to obtain the person, but he failed in so doing. On the fifth of September, Mr. T. Gilbert, J. P. Jewett, Mr. Gregory, President, Treasurer and Secretary, called at 75 Boylston street, and went over the house, into every part of it, and then retired to the office. After a while S. Gregory returned and told me that the officers had decided upon my taking the house if I was willing, and that if I would do so, if there was anything to be made out of it I might have the profit; also, that I ought to have the place as I had labored hard, and done much for the society, and 33 that the terms were the same to me as to the lady we had tried to get so long. I told him it was not a very desirable situation, how- ever, I should try to do the best I could with it, by letting the rooms, or filling the house with boarders. I was not prepared to enter into an arrangement of this kind; therefore, I was obliged to labor expeditiously, the little time alloted to repair, clean, fit, make and arrange every thing suitable for boarders, by the the first of October, and the commencing of the school the first of November. House-keepers will better understand this than I am able to represent by words, and what was more difficult for me was being obliged to have all the care and labor, and then beg the funds to pay all expenses, and with such burthens upon me, Mr. Gregory was not satisfied, but even in the very heighth of my labors he came in several times and recom- mended my leaving the women to do the cleaning, and that I should go out and get money to pay some bills for printing and rent. I was rather indignant at such a proposition, feeling that the time he spent in sitting about the office and walking from one office to another might be quite as profitably employed in procuring the funds himself. I did make the attempt, but found it not judicious, for when absent nothing was properly accomplished. I contin- ued making an effort for a tenant, until the seventeenth of this month, when I gave up my room and boarding place in Blackstone Square. On the nineteenth, Mr. Gregory called and made some inquiries about Dr. Rolfe, whether or not there were women in often to see him, and gave me information derogatory to his character, but wished nothing said about it as it would be an injury to the cause, and that they meant to get rid of him just as soon as they could procure any one to take his place. 5 34 On the twenty-sixth of September, a lady called to see if I had rooms to be let. I being out at the time, she was informed that I had none; that I had decided to fill the house with boarders in&tead of leasing my rooms. She thought if she could see me that she could make a proposi- tion that might induce me to yield to her wishes, provided the rooms should answer her purpose, and left after giving her address, stating she would call on the morrow. On the twenty-eighth, she called again. I gave her the same decided answer as she received the day before, and my reasons for it that the house was not suitably arranged to make it profitable in leasing rooms, there being but three that I had to spare that would be likely to be taken by per- sons in pursuit of rooms, and that the remainder would not enable me to meet my expenses, but if I could fill my rooms with boarders I thought it would answer my purpose better. The arrangements I had already made would enable me to do much better with the house than I anticipated at first, as I had succeeded in securing a competent friend to attend to calls and to my domestic department, while absent in the agency; and as I had been to the expense in making such arrangements, and was now fully prepared to fill the house with boarders, it was my preference so to do. She said that she should like to look at the rooms, and go over the house if I had no objections, that sh'e had formerly visited there, and was acquainted with Mrs. L. " Certainly with pleasure," and I accompanied her through the premises.' The three rooms on the second floor were just what she should like ; that she had looked at several, but these were the best ones she had seen —and she wanted me to consider of it, and she would call again. I still did not wish to let the rooms, but the lady being to appearance very anxious for them, I consulted with some friends, and concluded to 35 set the price high enough to cover the risk of loss on rent, in case I should not succeed in getting persons who would pay enough to defray the necessary expenses for the remain- ing part of the house. I had not the slightest idea of her taking them at the price I named. In fact I aimed to set it so high that she would abandon thh idea of taking them at once. She called at the time appointed — I named the price, and she made no objections to it, but said that she should like to have the sign moved upon one side of the house,— and if she would put up one on the other side, she did not see why it would not operate as well for the society as having it upon the front side. And asked if I thought the directors would have any objection to its being moved ? I told her I thought they would, and that it would be of little or no use to see them in reference to it. She asked me if I had any objections to her seeing the directors. I replied, none at all. She then inquired where they were to be found, and I gave her their address. She wished me to give her the refusal of the rooms until Saturday, the 5th of October. I did so — though I had several applications for board while I was waiting for her decision. Instead of a call on the day she appointed, I received a note in the afternoon, as follows: " October 5,1850. Mrs. Gassett: Dear Madam, — I regret that I was prevented from call- ing upon you this morning as I had intended. I hope it has not caused you any inconvenience. I shall endeavor to call early on Monday or Tuesday morning, if nothing prevents. Very truly yours, T. C. C---." 36 I gave her the refusal, as you see by the note, and from that supposed she still intended to take them. But instead of the lady Mr. Gregory called, and said that the directors would like to have me give the house up. Upon this statement I remained silent for some time, un- able to comprehend such a communication, and finally said to him, I did not understand nor comprehend the information. " Why, the directors thought if they could make a couple of hundred dollars more by reletting the house it was an object for them." By this remark, I see that they were taking the advantage of my rights and privileges in a secret and under- handed manner ; and I added that his story sounded rather different now than it did when I took the house ; that then it was if I would take it, if there were anything to be made out of it, I ought to be the one to receive it; but now every- thing being done, and an opportuuity to relieve myself of the extra expenses I had taken upon myself for an accommoda- tion to the society or officers, they wished now to claim the privilege of making the profits upon the house, if they could do it, without my perceiving their scheme. " Why," says he, " you can board in the house and attend to the business for the society, and give your whole and un- divided attention to the agency, and that would enable me to pay off the expenses I had incurred." He further stated, that if the lady I had granted a refusal of the rooms to' would pay the four hundred dollars to them, (this being the price that she was to pay me for the same,) and then nam- ing another lady at Auburndale, previous to my taking the house he tried to get, could take the remaining part of the house at two hundred dollars; that I could board with her and take a room in the upper story of the house. I felt that these were bold-yes, very bold propositions and inhuman, too, in the manner he presented them and the 37 mode he had proceeded in making the arrangements with the persons without speaking to me about it, and said that in the first-place he ought to ascertain whether it would be agreeable to me, or if they desired the house, for them to pay me for my services and relieve me of aU my liabilities. In that case I should have no objections, provided he had come first and asked me how I should like to make such a change, before making any engagements with the ladies, and I told him so. He remarked, he did not want to say any- thing to me till he knew whether he could get them to take the house ; and if he could not, he would not say anything to me about it. I told him that I was not disposed to give up the premises, and should not think of it, and that from these selfish movements I should be obliged to believe what had been said to me of him; that it had been said to me if I was acquainted with Samuel Gregory long enough I should find him out; but the warning was too slightly heeded, I was sorry to say ; and I had no doubt there was ample cause for it; though I received it, as I usually did such statements, knowing every one has enemies — some for one thing, some for another, and many without a good reason ; but this pro- position I could not think of listening to. He said I might think better of it, and he would call to-morrow, and left. It would be in vain to attempt to define my own opinion of this manoeuvre of Gregory's. On the evening of the next day he called, and I gave him my answer, that I had decided not to give the house up, and that it was of no use for me to spend further time in talking about it; and that I had not spent so much time about any- thing as I had in listening to his thousand propositions, and that now I had done with them. He insisted upon my giv. ing the house up, and that he had just returned from Auburn- dale where he had been to see Mrs. Whittlesey, and that 38 she would take it. I told him I had given my decision; and that 1 should not make further talk upon the subject, and left the room. On Monday, the 14th, following, he called with several persons and took them over the house and showed them into every apartment, and inquired of the domestic who occu- pied this room and who that. By the liberty thus taken, I concluded that he intended to take possession without the least regard to what I had said to him, and the next morn- ing I called upon Mr. Jewett to learn what all this nianceu- vering by Mr. Gregory meant. He said he did not know, and could not tell me anything about it. At this moment the person who called to take rooms of me came, and in- quired for Mr. Gregory, who being called, met her at the front part of the store. Mr. Jewett inquired of me who she was ; I told him she was one of the persons Gregory wanted to have me give up the house to. Jewett said he did not see what there was about her that Gregory should be so suddenly pleased with, and remarked that he should prefer my keeping the premises to her taking them. I told him that I could not account for Gregory's sudden change of conduct, unless I had offended him in forbidding his familiar- ^ ity about the house ; that I had been greatly tried with the liberty he had taken in going over the house at his pleasure regardless of disturbing the occupants of the rooms; and even the girls had complained of his disagreeable presence in the kitchen so frequently that I told him several times he would greatly oblige me if he would tell the girl who he wished to see and she would deliver his message, without his interference. His movements indicated that he alone knew what was transpiring in and about the establishment. The lady was an entire stranger to its officers, and to him; 39 and yet he seemed determined to put the stranger in person, and stranger to the cause, in a house for the rent of which I alone stood responsible, both in word and my written ob- ligation,—for the only reason (he had given) of having an opportunity to make the two hundred dollars, for the Socie- ties benefit. This was not the agreement upon my taking the house. I was to have it for two years, with the privilege of receiving all that could be made out of it, at their own stipulated pro- posal. I held no writing direct from them to me, to that effect, I did not require it—considering the officers of the in- stitution men of veracity, or at least knowing their reputa- tion, as a general thing, to be such. I did not, no I had never thought it possible—and doubt if any other person ever heard of the instance ; of seven men rising against one person, who had done for them and their corporation, what not one of them would become responsible for, or subject himself to do, for the promotion of their cause. But on the contrary, if I had not been able to meet the expenses, I sup- posed they would readily advance all deficiencies, rather than suffer me to lose one cent, in a situation I had not sought, but took with reluctance, merely to accomodate them, be- cause they could get no other person whom they were will- ing to have. I little thought of being engaged for these men as a mere tool, or slave, to do their bidding, take this or that, and then be required to give up a room prepared by and for myself, and occupy one selected by S. Gregory, for the purpose of putting in the premises those persons he saw fit to employ. This seemed however to be what they expected of me ; after I had consented to assume all the liabilities, and subject myself to all the fatiguing duties, both in and out of doors, connected with tte *?ase and house- keeping—and with every bill ( was not prepared to 40 settle) placed to my charge; (as I supposed, as I never gave any one authority to make a charge otherwise) then, to take advantage of an arrangement which was about to be made between me and another person, because it would ena- ble them to make the profits on that, I still stood security for, and had paid in part, and the remainder I was liable to pay; as much as to say, every thing is now done requisite for a complete ascendancy. Ladies are interested, the char- ter obtained, house secured for our use two years, repaired and put in complete order. Now we will get rid of her, by adroit management, with- out her discernment, as there is nothing left but what we ourselves can do. CHAPTER VI. On the 18th of October, I received an anonymous letter through Dr. L's. letter-box, which was placed in my hands while seated at the t3a table, in the presence of six persons. I opened, read, and re-read it aloud—when each at the ta- ble perused and examined the communication. It was in the following terms. " A word of advice can do no harm from a friend. It is hoped that you will use every precaution in regard to many things ; but people are making their remarks about you and Mr. Gregory, as you are in the house alone or most part of the time; letters have been written before to the President and teacher, hoping there would be different man- agement in the house. I do not expect there is evil, but avoid the appearance of evil. A friend to all concerned, and a member of the Society." In the first place, no person with whom I was acquainted, or who was connected with the Society at this time, that was my friend, would have written to me such a false docu- ment. The writing is feigned, though there are traces of a natural hand through the whole of it. If the writer had been my friend, would he or she not have called upon me personally, and given his or her advice candidly and openly ? 6 42 If not a personal insult, would not the writer have been particular in using a decent piece of paper, and enclosed it in a decent envelope ? But the paper and envelope were both of a very slovenly description. " It is hoped you will use every precaution in regard to many things." If a friend, why did not he or she specify definitely, the things in question ? " People are making their remarks, about you and Mr. Gregory, as you are in the house alone, or most part of the time." There was not an hour that I was alone with him in that house. When I went there, I took one woman with me ; on the second day, I obtained another; and on the fifteenth of September, I solicited a friend of mine, to come and take charge of the calls made, in reference to the Society, and for board—while I was engaged in the agency. At this time, I had four boarders, and seven in the family ; and had the same the fortnight previous; (and would have had the house quite full at this time, but for the mtermeddling of Gregory,) but I declined seeing him, and had not, since the day following the proposition of making the two hundred dollars. That convinced me he was a very unsafe person to have any dealings with; and that a man disposed to shuffle for gain so dishonorable, having nothing to risk himself, was not a proper person with whom to negotiate; and all tran- sactions connected with the Society, I resolved to have with some of the other officers ; therefore I did not see him at all, however much he was in the office. No persons knew of his visiting the house except Dr. Rolfe, himself, and those persons seated at the tea table. But in order to spread abroad scandal, and bring reproach 43 upon the individual aimed at, it was necessary to connect a man's name with her, and as none was known better adapt- ed for that purpose than the gentleman who had largely fig- ured in the office in Cornhill, and the one connected with the house, for six weeks previous to this time, and had made himself so familiar about the premises) as to become a nuis- ance in them, and been forbidden to transgress there any longer. This name was most suitable for the occasion, and by connecting her own name with it, many not acquainted with the parties, (would not think of one's connecting their own name and placing themselves in such an absurd posi- tion, which probably would not have been, but for the knowl- edge of one who figured in like manner,) might suppose there was some truth in the scandal. " Letters have been written and sent to the President and teacher, hoping there would be different management in the house." There was not and had not been, as I have already said, any one in and about the house, but those I have heretofore named. As to management, if bad, why was it not specified, that amendments might be made ? But nothing of the kind is suggested. The letter intimates no evil was expected to exist. That was well said; for no one ever knew me idle, save the time I was called from my duties to hear some proposi- tion, or something which had been heard, or to inquire of me what /had heard or seen. It speaks of avoiding the appearance of evil. My endea- vors to avoid the appearances of evil that had become so annoying, and expelling the cause of them was what called forth this anonymous letter, under consideration, which would not have been written had not certain liberties have been forbidden. 44 I never had the leisure that some agents have, to be clos- eted two and three hours a day, regularly. I shall never forget a remark which was made on the reception of this precious epistle. Why, I am sure the effected ignorance is not quite so much outof the way as might be supposed by some persons who are less acquainted with them. The garb which they have assumed apears to be a very suitable one for them. I think they might be termed a wise fool, as they certainly have made a wise choice, in selecting the very best way, in showing them- selves up in their true character. On Monday, Oct. 21, I called on Dr. Waters, and had some conversation with him upon the unfairness of Mr. Gregory's dealings, and that I could not account for his con- duct unless it was because I had disapproved of his coming in, and going over and about the house at his option. He thought it might be so, but that was not the reason. I had some of the society's funds, and that they must move very cautiously or they should not get it, and did not want me to know their motives. I told him such was a lame apology, and that it was not so, that it was the two hundred dollars, or else he had falsely committed himself to me. If it were as he had sug- gested, why did he not come at once and state the same to me. It would not do for him to make such a pretence for it was not a justifiable one in this instance. For I could prove it to be the two hundred dollars by others who heard it more than once from his own lips. The next day I received the following note from Mr. Jewett: — Boston, Oct. 22nd, 1850. Mrs. Gassett: — This is to state that Mr. Sewall and myself, having unex- 45 pected engagements, were unable to call at 10 o'clock, as we intended. We shall endeavor to call at four o'clock this (Tuesday) afternoon. Yours, John P. Jewett. Mr. Jewett came according to the above appointment, but Mr. Sewall did not. I said to him from what I had learned that day, I presumed I knew the objedf of his visit, and then went into a minute explanation about matters, and referred him to friends who had long been acquainted with me. He expressed himself glad that he had called, and regret- ted that Mr. Sewall was unable to come with him, and fur- ther stated that he would be the last person to object to my occupying the house, and that he so had said to those of my friends he had conversed with on the subject. Dr. Waters called the next day upon the President, and he made no objection, but intimated that he would as soon have me as any other person. I was satisfied therefore, that nobody but S. Gregory was working against my interest. On the morning of the 25th of October, I took my memo- randum book (which contained all my expenses connected with the society) and called upon Mr. Jewett, and desired him to take the same and examine it, that he might satisfy himself as it regarded the funds, for in that he would see just what the money had been used for. He declined taking it said he did not want it, and that they had no business with it either. I then gave him the details of the use of the money, and he appeared perfectly satisfied with my statements. At this interview, I told him my agreements with a female friend in taking the house, provided the directors were willing to accept of her as a tenant, to occupy the premises on the first of November, 1850 ; that I had applied my whole 46 faculties so studiously for the past fourteen months, for that which I just began to understand was not what I bargained for, and having been disappointed in all my arrangements, my health had become so much impaired in consequence, that I had made the proposition to her and she had concluded to take it. Mr. Jewett thought they would have no objection, if I wished to vacate the premises, he, for one, would not. I gave him references that they might satisfy themselves of her responsibility. He was the only director I had any conver- sation with on the subject. On the third of November, S. Gregory called and told this lady that they had made inquiries and learnt that she was a responsible person, and supposed they were to look to her for the rent thereafter. This was all the conversation the directors had with the person to whom I relinquished the establishment. Yet, they say that they took it from me, and insisted upon her occu- pying the same. The first of November I gave up the house entirely to her and the officers accepted; she was to receive it on the same terms as I had it, from them at their own stipulated price, which terms have been ^tated in full in the preceding pages. The school commenced the 6th of November, in the year 1850, on the premises, in a room Gregory selected. They had twenty pupils, the largest number that had ever at" tended. I was informed by Gregory, that they would have every suitable and proper facility in point of instruc- tion ; and in consequence, I encouraged many to attend that term. I would not have so done had I known the deficiency in the departments. The pupils became so dissatisfied with the false represen- tations that had been given them of the school in December 47 that it became very near breaking up; and, but for the obtaining of Dr. Cornell, it probably would have been closed. Dr. Rolfe was the only teacher. He informed the lady of the house that they should like the room for the school, a couple of hours in the afternoon the day before it com- menced. They used it a few days and then wanted to change the time to the fore part of the day, and she con- sented for them to do so, provided they would vacate it in season for her to prepare the apartment for dinner. They wanted it only they said, from ten to twelve, A. M., at the longest. After she consented to this arrangement, for a few days it was vacated at a proper time. When there were some determined not to leave the room till they pleased, and even when the lady requested them to retire from it to the office, they would persist in remaining there. Every day they improved the opportunity in passing up the front stairs, over the house, tiU the lady told Gregory she would not have such liberties taken about the premises, and that there must be a stop put to them at once. Her remonstrances were unheeded, she spoke to Gregory again to no purpose. She then told him if he did not prevent such conduct that she should notify the directors of it. Some of these women would go all over the house, opening the door into apartments, and inquir- ing of the domestic who occupied this room, and who that. Finally, the lady went to Mr. Jewett, and he said he had told the officeis, that if they were the ones to occupy the house they knew they would not suffer such annoyances, and that he should think their common sense would teach them among so many women as were there, and of a certain class too, that there would be some disposed to make trouble. But they did not regard what he had said about it, and he should say nothing further, but let them act their pleasure. 48 On the fourth of December, Messrs. Jewett, Gilbert, Sears and Gregory, at 4, P. M., called to see the superintendent, and said there had been a complaint made by the scholars that they were treated as a nuisance about the premises, and that they wanted to know the facts in the case. The lady told them she was not aware of treating the pupils otherwise than well; that unless they took special pains to place themselves in and about her apartments she should never see them; therefore, if they had been ill-treated she was not aware of it. She then reported to the four gen- tlemen the conversation she had with Mr. Gregory, before detailed. All that she had ever said, was that she could, and should not have her halls, stairs and house, made so common, that she had told Mr. Gregory she could not have it, and if he did not put a stop to it she should, that when she took the house she was not informed that the whole house was to be used as a school room. If she had depended upon the ser* vant having the care of that part of the house it might be different, but she did not; she always took the whole care of the front stairs and halls herself, and she did not allow her own family occupying the halls, and she should not con- sent to the pupils going over her front stairs, and being seated in the halls. The Society's rooms, she further said, were every morn- ing prepared and made ready at nine o'clock, and there was no occasion for persons to go in the hall to sit there, unless it were to act as spies, and encroach upon the ladies' rights for it being cold weather, and there being no fire in the halls, they would be obliged to wear their outside garments. Yet they would take their books, and leave the school room in lecture hours, seemingly for no other purpose than to irri- tate the proprietress, because see forbade such conduct. She 49 was accused of treating them as a nuisance ; the president having been in the office some time, came out and wanted to see her ; she met him and he deliberately, in the presence of her mother and myself gave her the lie, for after she had told him she was innocent, for him to still insist it was other- wise, he in substance, charged her with a plain falsehood. 7 CHAPTER VII. How different was the management of the school and pupils and the conduct of S. Gregory at this period from what it was at the time I gave the note. Then Dr. Rolfe and wife were not suitable persons to manage because the women would make themselves too free and common about the premises, and the object was to get one accustomed to city life, who was reserved, and not acquainted with them, in order to keep them in their place. And now such a person was obtained; and yet Gregory was for making them do or suffering them to do the very acts * objected to, and was apparently angry because he and they were not permitted to throw the whole house into a school- room and have all things in common. When an effort was made to get the gentleman and wife, then the pupils should not disturb the inmates by going into other parts of the house. He said they would have no more right to do so > than to travel through Dr. Keep's premises on the corner; and every accommodation was offered them if they would ac- cept. But the present proprietress being a widow, and hav- ing no protector to forbid such rude behavior, she was obliged to submit to and suffer it while she remained in the establishment. I will now make an attempt to describe the treatment she received from two pupils and some of its officers. On the 6th of December, the second after the day the officers caUed, there was a petition drawn up and presented to the scholars by a couple of lady-boarders, to obtain if 51 possible the names of the pupils of the institution. They went into the school-room at recess time in the forenoon, and one of them read it, and then asked all present that had been treated as a nuisance to annex their names to it. After the reading two of the women left the room, looking round in a laughing, sneering and significant manner ; and did not return until the ladies who brought in the document had retired. Not one who remained in the school-room offered an ob- jection, but appeared perfectly satisfied with their treat- ment, and surprised to learn that there was any trouble. Their remarks were to this effect: " We came here to attend the school and hear lectures. We did not come to visit the apartments in the premises. We are sure we should not know the lady of the house if we should see her. If we have trespassed upon the lady's rights it was because we had been informed that we had the privilege to go over the house by one of those women who left the room. But we are very sorry, and we do not blame the proprietress at all opposing us — for she could not like it, and we think she must be possessed of considerable patience to do what she has done, and was obliged to do—to make us as comfortable as we have been without their making an extra effort to make themselves more troublesome. We found that the officers' school consisted of but two out of the twenty persons, and they were the two who made themselves so obnoxious about the premises. They were common, indeed ; so much so that up to a recent date I have heard that one of them was not in the slightest degree respected by any of the other pupils. After the petition had been presented there was no one seen about the house except the two who left the room. They commenced their manoeuvres the day after the direc- tors called, assuming new and enlarged immunities. It would 52 be impossible to describe their conduct in language. To re- alize it fully one must have seen their operations. At this time the proprietress would have left the house — for she had become convinced that decent people were not to be respected by the majority of the officers of the society. She made an effort to get a house; but being unsuccessful, finally concluded to remain till spring. On the 11th of December, Mr. Sewall, one of the directors and attorney for the institution, sent me the following note : " Boston, Dec. 11,1850. Madam : You having failed to pay the rent of the house which you hire of the Female Medical Society, situated in Boston, at the corner of Carver and Boylston streets, are hereby noti- fied to quit and deliver up possession of the same to said so- ciety, at the expiration of fourteen days from this date. S. E. SEWALL, Att'y of said Society. To Mrs. Helen M. Gassett." This note was written and directed to me, although they had accepted and acknowledged another person to be re- sponsible to them for the rent. And she was ready to pay it at any moment whenever they would prevent her being further troubled by the two persons in question. But no promise was made to her to this effect till the very last part of December, though Messrs. Gilbert, Sewall, Jewett and Gregory were appealed to ; but not until I went to Mr. King, one of the directors whom I had never before seen. He caUed on her on the 28th of that month, and said that if she would pay the rent he would assure her she should have no further trouble with the 53 pupils. She told him that she had experienced so much perplexity that to know what her rights and privileges were to be, and to make sure of them without further molestation, she would require a written specification of the directors, and that she did not feel disposed to pay the rent, until they gave her such a document. Mr. King said that he would advise her as a sister to pay the rent, and repeated what has before been stated. From Mr. King's assured word, (though she feared it might not prove to be true,) on the 1st day of January she paid the rent. No sooner had they received it, than one of the women who continued to frequent the front hall daily, taking her luncheon and scatter the crumbs over the carpet, eager to transgress against the rules of the house, as much as to say, I can be sustained in it, and the tenant may help her self if she can. Such is but one of the many annoyances that caused her to withhold the rent. But immediately after it was settled, this person, the one most bold and disagreeable of all others, a Mrs. Golding, began by going into the office in the morning as soon as the fire was built and the room cleaned, to get her breakfast— although she boarded elsewhere. If she wanted anything from the closet where the family were at breakfast, she would get it, without an apology, assuming haughty and offensive airs. One morning before a fire was made in the office, she went into the breakfast room with a saucepan to put upon the stove, and passing the table at which the family were seated, would have smutted a lady's cap, but for the wearer seeing and preventing the trespass. Mrs. Golding must have had great encouragement from somebody, to have encroached upon the rights of others in such an undaunted manner. The boarders advised the in- 54 jured party to complain to the directors. She declined doing so, and said they had violated their promises, which amount to nothing. I have only added to my troubles. It is better not to see them again, if I wish to enjoy any peace. But one thing however prevents my giving up the house at once. Mrs. Golding one evening went into the room while one of the boarders were at tea—she placed herself exactly in front of her — fastened her eyes upon her in a demon-like manner, and stood till she got tired probably, and when she found she was noticed only with silent contempt, went out. She returned, with a tigress-like air, again fixed her brutal and revengeful eyes upon the individual till she disappeared from her presence. This lady had no acquaintance with Mrs. Golding, and never spoke with her more than three times, the conversa- tion at these interviews being in substance as follows: — She was introduced to the lady by S. Gregory. She asked her if she did not want to see Mr. Gregory's wife dreadfully when she first knew him. The answer was that no query came in her mind to know, nor did she know whether or not he was then married. Mrs. Golding did, and she never wanted to see any body so much in her life as his wife ; and it is not impossible but what sh« may be able to see her by looking into a mirror. The other, times, she called at the office door, and wanted to see Mr. Gregory, and was told he was not in. Is there anything in the above interview to warrant one such unchaste treatment ? In speaking the other day to a lady who happened to be present, and witnessed the above scene, she said it was a wonder she suffered such abusive treatment to pass unnoticed. She looked back with the utmost abhorrence on the proceed- ings of Mrs. G., and all others, her abettors that conducted * 55 and managed the affairs of the premises, and why it was that they had not long since been exposed she could not tell, but justice to the public required they should be. Thus the lady of the house was annoyed till the first of February by Mrs. Golding, when the officers approved her course, by taking a room from the tenant and placing the Mrs. G., therein, and exacting from her the same rent. They also undertook to oblige the tenant to pay the water tax at this time, against the terms of their own contract. Have not her words proved true, that the officers were of the same character of the women in question. And now what was or could be expected by the occupant but enlarged liberty. She, at the officer's command, and through their unlawful dealings with the lady of the house, became the occupant of this room, situated at the other end of the lower hall, where to her, it proved most convenient for the pur- poses she seemed placed there to accomplish. The school being closed, and the taxable care of the room being ended, but for this disagreeable nuisance some quiet pleasure might have been experienced that would have served to mitigate the sufferings of the minds and feelings in days of yore. But this was not to be realized. Mrs. Golding improved the apartment, the entrance to which, when taken, was to be from Carver street, but she commenced operations immediately upon coming in from Boylston street, and when the front door bell rang, with a hurried step assumed all responsibility, taking upon herself the authority of a land- lady, in waiting and attending upon the society of the ten- ant. When on complaint, such proceedings were stopped, if any one entered, her face peeped out of the room into the hall, and remained stationary, with a pert and inquisitive expression, till the visitors were waited upon. Her coun- tenance became at last the representative of the door and the room of her habitation. 56 When the landlady was out, or at her meals, she would improve that opportunity, to impose upon the domestics, by calHng them to bring up her fuel and empty her offal. A sister of the Superintendent accidently overheard her giving orders to a domestic below stairs. The orders were coun- termanded, and all future interpositions prohibited. On the first of March, the lady had become so much dis- gusted with every thing connected with the society, that she told Mr. Gregory she should occupy the premises no longer than through the month, if it were possible to obtain a house elsewhere, for the person, Mrs. Golding's conduct had become perfectly disgusting, and every article in the contract had been broken on their part. Gregory's reply was, that they had no objections, as they had now ample means to occupy the whole house. The next week after the lady left the house, their agent called upon her friend, soliciting funds to enable the society to meet the monthly demand rent. Was not this a contemptible project of the directors to use such an artifice to rid themselves of a tenant, because they had no commendable excuse to expel her from the premises. Because her family were respectable and claimed esteem, because neither she nor they would do any thing mean, the government or their agents resorted to indirect methods to impair her credit. Such a course was in keeping, with the character of those who controled the society. Again, look at the expression, " ample means to occupy the house." They had got rid of their tenant, and the molesting agents were occupying the place ; and they had obtained funds to liquidate their rent from the public, rather than have a respectable family in the premises, that paid a respectable share of it. Ample means ! if that was a true statement, why was this agent obtaining money under pre- 57 tence for rent of the house of the society, or for Mr. Greg- ory and Mrs. Golding. As I cannot find that there are any persons at the present day who constitutes the society but them. After the former tenant quit the premises some of her friends called, believing her family still resided there. Mrs. Golding, on learning the object of their visit to see the former inmates, calumniated some portion of her family in a heinous manner. A lady called one day, and inquired for the family or some one of it members. She was met by Mrs. Golding, who began to represent them in a reproachful manner. The lady told her it would not be in her power to injure their charac- ters in the least, for they were well known, and esteemed in the city. She comprehended Mrs. Golding's drift at once, and would not countenance the defamation by stopping to hear a sentence of it from slanderer's lips. After Mr. Gregory and Mrs. Golding took the house, there was some crockery sent there for the former occupant, it was received by them; the owner being informed of the fact it was sent for, but they would not deliver it, neither have they paid for it, or had not the last I heard anything about the matter. 8 CHAPTER VIII. I return now to the 1st of December. In the early part of the month I sought a settlement with the society by mak- ing up my account, getting Dr. Waters to present it to Mr. Gilbert, the president, obtain the note given as security for the house, and give up the books of agency. Dr. Waters called on Mr. Gilbert, presented the bill, and made known my proposition to him; but Mr. Gilbert's reply was, " we shall do no such thing." On the 11th of the month I received a note from Mr. ) Sewall, one of the directors, (a copy of the same I have given in the preceding pages,) for me to quit and deliver up the house. At this time I was not occupying it, and had not been for more than six weeks. They had accepted and acknowledged another person as tenant. j. Was this ignorance, or was it intended as a personal in- sult ? I had sought but a few days before a settlement; it was denied me. They held my note, the only security that had been given to secure the house. Again, I was only a boarder in the house for a short period, till I could effect a withdrawal, and had bound myself in nowise for the rent for the tenant. Neither did she require any such thing of any one. But the letter was directed to me, which shows the spirit that animated them towards me, to be that of ill will. The person who occupied the office said, " If I had the mo- ney I would put every one of them out on the side-walk." 59 But the fact was, these persons who desired to monopo- lize, had no means to effect their object. They were even beggars. They who were to be put out on the side-walk were not paupers, yet they were treated far worse, even as common vagabonds. These persons became my enemies from the time that I would not give up the house for them to make the two hundred dollars, and allow them to select my room, leaving me under the expenses I had fairly been crowded into ; and when the chance offered, whereby I ex- pected to relieve myself of them, because I would not come under deficient authority, turn upon me, and in the most in- human manner menace me and spread their calumnies against me as often as the means are afforded them, asserting that they can say just what they please about me, and I will not dare to attempt to defend myself. And when the author of such abuse have been inquired for, we have been sneeringly told to go to the house where you can get all the informa- tion you want without reserve. Some persons informed them that there were too parts to this story, and that they happened to be acquainted with each side, and if they had been thus informed it was false. * Well, was the answer, they did not believe Mr. Gregory would lie, for he belonged to Park street Church ! Save the mark ! So you see from the above how readily scandal will be cherished when uttered by a "man of Park street Church, and how much sooner the public mind will receive and sanc- tion falsehood than simple truth. After hearing the above, the confidence so decidedly ex- pressed of our being wrong, how much weight could a person like myself, with no great men's names affixed to her pages as an approval of her course, have upon a society so laudably sustained, both in public and private, as this claimed to be ! Not much, unless we had clearly presented the truth about it to the community. 60 Let it be remembered too that so many persons of com- manding influence, who were operating in its behalf would not have boldly denounced a single individual, unless they felt they had injured her and feared the result of her repre- sentations to that effect upon them in the public. I waited till the last of this month in expectation of a set- tlement ; though the president had declined acknowledging my account. I felt anxious to get it rectified, and solicited Dr. Waters to propose to Mr. Gilbert an adjustment, by giving it to referees. This proposition was not accepted. Finally, my agent's adviser had an interview with some of the directors, and endeavored to convince them of their injustice, in not coming to an agreement with me, but it was regarded of no consequence. At these interviews he learnt that the Treasury was defi- cient in funds, therefore, a suit instituted against the society J would avail nothing, as it would only incur expense without remuneration. Feeling my liabilities to be more than I could meet, I was willing to relinquish an agency, which has been one of the richest that had been operating in the public of its kind, and sacrifice my time, strength, rights, privileges and profits, also, if I could only settle in full with them, and I felt the least they could do was to grant my request. But when it was ascertained they would not do so, I took the books of Dr. Waters in January, and made an effort to act as their agent, and went out some four or five times in that month. Had I learnt the facts before I commenced that I did on the twenty-eighth, I most assuredly never would have worked for them again. For on this day, in the afternoon, being seated in the adjoining room to the office with a friend, a conversation ensued as follows: — "I cannot afford to pay such a rent 61 for this office,'and shall not, unless I can have a chamber that can be locked up. Answer, but you must not think of giving it up now, for we cannot do without you ? "Well, if I could have a room, and have a sofa-bedstead in it, which Miss Barney could occupy, and have the care of it, I would stay! " Answer; " you don't need to be particu- lar in lecturing to the class, for they are nothing but common women —it is not as though they were highly educated, and were wealthy individuals." I was amazed at these sugges- tions. Although I had seen and heard much, I did not sup- pose that the society was not as much interested for the poor as for the rich orders, but it seemed that because they were ignorant there was no necessity for taking that pains with them that there would have been had they been more enlightened. Why, the reason of my being so interested in the cause, and so zealous and ardous in my efforts to sustain it, was that I thought the society was established to prepare the poor and ignorant for professional life. I would not have become so connected with this people had I suspected their purpose that appeared to be disclosed in this conver- sation. Such confirms the fact that they have but one idea indeed. The letter previously inserted was produced and commented upon, and reference then made to their eager efforts to make the two hundred dollars. And now since they had received the money, the tuition fee, they were operating to deprive the pupils of those rights and privileges they had guaranteed to them, because they were of the com- mon class of women. And to effect this object they offered to retain a teacher who was not a proper person to occupy the house, and who they would employ no longer than another person could be obtained to take his place. If such be true, I might say, " By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." 62 I will present an instance or two as examples of the arti- fice practised, to draw individuals into this school, and also the character of the seminary, by some of its pupils. Certain persons have been induced to become students by the encouragement given them, that by paying twenty-five dollars and staying for the term of three months, they would be amply qualified as midwives. Having done so, certificates to that effect have been withheld from them. Some say they had not received five dollars worth of instruction during the time, and one asserted that she was no wiser by attending. Many appear as though it was ac- tually a disgrace to have their patients know that they have been pupils of the institution, and when one inquires of some of them for the location of the society and its condition, they do not know of any Female Medical College in Boston, they never saw any such, unless Samuel Gregory and Anna Gold- ing could be denominated the society. They knew it had been represented in the papers as existing, by the latter per- son ; but they had not the slightest respect for it. The terms they employed to describe the reputation of the Col- lege were too strong for me to repeat in this narration. A lady asked another who had been to a medical school Did you graduate in Boston. She replied, " I did not." Have you attended the one in the City ? " Only one term." " Why did you not graduate in Boston ?" Because I would not receive a certificate from that school; I would not regard a graduate from it; a diploma from it would be of no more value than a piece of blank paper. She was shown one that had been issued from the institution, and she said it was fit only to be committed to the flames. A lady from a neighboring state heard of this College, and thought she should like to attend, having been considerable interested in medical works, for merely her own information 63 not to qualify herself toTpractise. She made inquiry by let- ter of Mr. Gregory of the conditions and facilities of learning. She received such a favorable communication from him in reply that she concluded to attend, and accordingly came at the time of the commencement of the school. She also sought and received information of him relative to two boarding places, and was to have her choice from the two. But on reaching, and being made acquainted with the selected habi- tation, she began to feel that all was not gold that glittered. Mr. Gregory came to wait upon her to the school room. She went, but to her great surprise found no library nor apparatus there. Nor was there a teacher actually engaged, but her own services in that capacity were by them solicited. But what exhibited in the clearest light the deception which had been practised upon her was, to learn that she had corresponded with an unmarried man, who was no physician, she being a stranger. I need not attempt to convince the reader that a lady, a stranger, in a strange city, was placed in an embarrassing condition at this discovery, nor describe her mortified feel- ings at the fraud, and her sudden departure immediately after. She realized all these things in quick succession. The question hence occurs, ought not such gross imposition be published to the world ? It is manifest she was not obliged to exhaust her strength in watching many nights in the week, or in sewing, to pay the necessary expenses to enable her to attend the school, in cold and bleak, wintry weather. Many have done so, and denied themselves the common comforts of life, just because encouragement had been given them that one quar- ter would qualify them to be midwives. Gregory speaks of the many that have been taught, and entered upon their duties, and of their success. But those who have 64 received diplomas therefor, he is not so particular to men- tion. But six graduates have had confered on them the dis- tinguished honor of a degree from the far famed institution. Can therefore, the candid and impartial reader of these few facts out of the many that may be detailed touching the man- ner the same has been conducted, believe that it deserves the support of the community. CHAPTER VIII. Since the twenty-eighth of January, fifty-one, I have represented myself as having no interest whatever in the society, and have always done openly and without reserve, whenever necessary, as I considered it a duty to be per- formed. On the third of February, I left the city for a limited period, and on the twenty-third of the same month I received the following letter from Mr. Gregory: — Boston, Feb. 22,1851. Mrs. Gassett : Having been appointed by the president and directors of the Female Medical Education Society, to settle the society's account with you; we hereby request you to call or author- ise some one else to call, and attend to the matter, and return the subscription books received from the secretary, without delay. Respectfully yours, &c. Samuel Gregory, Dexter S. King, 17 CornhiU. On the fourth of March, I returned, and placed the books into the hands of Dr. Waters, with the expectation, after receiving such a concise address of a speedy settlement. Dr. Waters called upon the gentlemen, proposed a settle- 9 66 ment, said that he was ready, and that I desired it. For some cause best known to themselves they did not choose to settle at this time ; but continued their demands upon Dr. Waters for the books till the last of May. Dr. Waters informed them that he had no authority to give them up until they returned the note and settled my account. On the twenty-fifth of March, at the suggestion and approval of several of my friends, they lending me their influence, I drew up a petition in my own behalf, to obtain through the generosity of others, that which was due from but denied me by the society. All I obtained in this man- ner was openly asked and kindly given. I adopted this course because I had already drawn too heavily upon my own resources to justify me in exhausting them any further, while these persons continued to receive their own subsistance from those means belonging to me and were not willing to release me from my liabilities. The first of January, 1851, I called upon a firm I had bought some articles of, to inform them that I had not acted as agent since the purchase, and therefore, was not prepared to pay them according to my agreement, but if they would wait upon me till the fourteenth of May it would accommo- date me. They made no objection, provided they could be sure of the money then. At the time mentioned I called and settled my account. When I purchased the articles I told them that I was engaged in an agency for the society, that I had taken the house as an accommodation, and that I was not prepared in the least for such an arrangement, &c. If they thought favorably of the cause, and were disposed to pro mote its progress, that it would be acceptable. They said that they would put the articles ten dollars less for that pur- pose, and I might credit the same to the society. I did so till I learnt the falsity of it. I then erased the entry. 67 On settling my account I paid the whole amount, and they desired to know my reasons for so doing. I told them I had no farther sympathy for the institution, but that they might contribute the same if they pleased. They wished to know my objections to it. I told them I had but one objec- tion, in relating the wrongs and ill-usages to which I had been subjected, when a person had time to listen to them, and that it was a long series'of consequences of an aggravat- ing nature, particularly to myself. One of the firm then told me that the present agent came to him for a donation, and he informed her he had con- tributed through me. Whereupon she assailed me in very gross terms. At this time Dr. Waters had the books of subscriptions ready for settlement, so that I had not rendered my books of account, and yet they were actively exciting the minds of all who were disposed to hear them against me, in language that was most gratifying to themselves. As he had heard their side of the story, he wanted to hear mine, and I related it to him in substance as I have detailed it here, giving him a full description of my grievances. When I had finished, he said that he would give me the ten dollars if I would accept of it; I thanked him, but declined taking it, as I had no desire to receive that which was con- tributed for the society's use. He told a friend of mine that he would give me the ten dollars if I would receive them, and from what I have said, he was convinced that I had been wronged. He was satisfied in his own mind of the matter. I now have reason to feel thankful I did not take the money, for I have been informed that the firm would not have let me had the articles had they known that they were not for the society. Here is a specimen of the manner this company was played 68 upon by the society, showing how easily the human mind is biased by your enemies. There was a portion of the articles I wanted which the merchant had not, but were daily expecting from abroad. They were not received till after I and the lady I got to take the house, had both left it. The goods arrived, and the firm sent them there. On calling at the store in April, or some time in May for them, they informed me of the fact; but being told that we had quit the premises they promised to send and get them back. They did so without success, and were obliged to take others to replace the deficiency, and replenish their stock. It hence appears that one of the members of the firm, not he to whom I paid the money, was more willing to accommodate a corporation than myself, though he might lose by it, from the fact that the individual's security is doubted, though that individual is worth more than the whole corporation, not in money perhaps, but that which is of more value, integrity and truth. Everything at that time was at my risk ; but the inmates of the establishment while aspersing my character, did not divulge to others that important fact. This gentle- man was the only one I knew among the large assembled number of defendant's witnesses ; but what he can have to say in court that will be to his own interest and of advan- tage to the society, I am curious to know. I have thought his testimony might be in reference to his making out the bill in their name ; but it was not till I had received the interrogatories from defendant, three and a half years after purchasing the articles that I knew or noticed that the goods had been charged to the society. If I had given authority to any one to make a charge to the society, or in its name, or had noticed they were placed to its debit, those expenses connected with the house, they came in possession of, for which they never allowed nor paid anything, I should not 69 have paid for them myself. And I know of no reason why the charge was made to them, unless it was because the mer- chant saw the great sign stretched from end to end of the house, that Gregory got put up, long before I was in it. He used to say that it would do a great deal towards adver- tising the establishment, and I certainly think it did, in point of giving my bills a heading, for persons seeing such a con- spicious sign would think naturally enough that the entire building was occupied wholly by persons connected with the school. And such was the general impression, and was understood to be from persons connected with the house after I and the lady I got to take it had quit the premises. The next day after I payed the bill I was informed that Gregory called in immediately after I left the store, and inquired if I had done so. He was answered in the affirma- tive. The store keeper said he appeared as though he had something to say, or would like to have some conver- sation, but he told him he was busliy engaged, and then he went away. Where do you suppose Gregory was that he should have seen you, or knew you had been here unless he had been watching you ? I was asked by them. I had no doubt I replied, he had been watching me, indeed I was convinced of it that he did not probably do much of any thing else, but (as he says) stand behind the door to silence all the true statements that are given against his principles and practices. However, if he were engaged in such a poor business as that, it was far from being creditable to himself, though I had not the slightest objections to it. I was not engaged in any kind of business dishonorable to me or to any other person, and if he could afford the time and be paid for it, I did not know but what it might prove quite as entertaining, and doubtless far more exciting to his spir- itual temperament than any office he had the honor of hold- 70 ing. For if he learnt my communications as given he heard the truth, and that only, which carried with it its own weight. I never had but one story to tell about that society, and that story had always been the same I am telling you now, and I would not shrink from meeting all persons to whom I have said anything, and see if they would not vary the statements. (Though they had a way of telling a story as best suited themselves on the occasion without regard to truth, I had found since my connection with that society.) But there. could be only one story told of them. It appears that Mr. Gregory went directly to Dr. Waters' office, and told him that he should rather I would not pay the money back. Why he did so, and what his reasons were. The Doctor said he did not know. He gave none. (This was while the Doctor had the books, that whenever they felt disposed to settle they were ready for them, and they knew it.) I told Dr. W., that he saw probably what his object was, that he might not get quite as many dollars from the individuals as he would be likely to, provided the money had not been returned by an agent, for no person could hear the facts stated without feeling that there must be something wrong in the management of matters,'unless he or she had a heart of adamant, colder than impenetrable ice. And if they had given their money for an object it should go to the estab- lishment, even if they were false to the cause for which it was given, and it was lending aid to that which disgraced the public annals daily. In short it shaU go to the society, because I gave it to them, for what I have done I will not nullify, though I may be greatly in the wrong. One person remarked I had my doubts about that institu- tion, and if such be the facts, I am glad you have not given my name in. Another said, I am very glad indeed you have withheld my 71 name. I thought from your representations of the society the cause was a good one, but if it be as you now state it, I do not want my name in the least connected with it. A third exclaimed, (to whom I gave back her money,) Who ever before heard of money's being returned when once contributed to a society ? This I think, is the first instance, for when once given it is retained, whether it ever is used for the purpose claimed. The donor remains in ignorance of the application of his or her gift. The day after settling my bill Gregory called upon Dr. Waters, and told him that if I did not discontinue my soli- citations they would advertise me in the papers. I told Dr. Waters they might do so, if they dared, but it would be at their own peril; that I had nothing to do with the society, and he knew it, for he had sanctioned the method I had adopted, and annexed his name with his own hand, of the approval. On the 19th, Gregory called upon Dr. W. again, and told him that he had heard I had been at Salem obtaining money in the society's name. The doctor said he did not think I would do such a thing. But Gregory replied he had abun- dant proof of it. I asked Dr. Waters why he did not tell him what I had said — that I would sacrifice every thing, even my life, before I would ask for one dollar in its name, or for its support, and I repeat the declalfetion, that death to me would be preferable. At this time Dr. W. recommended my taking the books, and examine them carefully to see that they were correct. I told him that there was no necessity for it. He advised me to do so, for he thought from Gregory's movements he intended to settle ; but he said subsequently, that he did it so that he could tell him that I had got them, as he was com- ing in that day in the afternoon, and that if he knew that I 72 was possessed of the books, it would induce him to close matters more speedily. He did call, and was informed of the fact; but I returned them next morning before nine, to the doctor, just as I took them from him, not knowing the doctor's drift till sometime afterwards. In these books I had before erased all names that were recorded to be used as an influence upon the minds of others, as an inducement for them to contribute ; and also all the names of those persons who had given to other agents, accord- ing to the request of Gregory, who desired that nothing should be said about it, as it would be an injury to the cause. When he found that I was out — and out for myself, though he pretends for the society, he seems to have changed his mind about letting the public know it. He and the other agent, it appears, could not then expand their travels far and wide enough, but were obliged to resort to pamph- lets and newspapers for their purposes. It would not now do the cause any harm since they had found an oak under which to screen themselves from the odium that was settling upon them for their base conduct. On the 26th, Mr. Gregory called upon Dr. Waters to as- certain how I would settle, and the doctor informed me of it. I told Waters that when they would give up the note and adjust the account, they could have the books. In my account I did not charge my services, though it may appear that I did from the manner it was made out. My own plan in making out the bill would have shown what my expenses were; and it has escaped my memory entirely how it was drawn. I took no copy of it when I sent it in, supposing that it would be settled immediately. I did not imagine at the time I should have to wait five or six years for an adjustment. I have received nothing for my time over 73 one year and a half, nor for my wearing apparel, which I was obliged to have decent to appear in public ; not, it is true, of silk or satin, while engaged in their behalf. All was sacrificed. Besides, to secure for the society a proper habitation, I gave my note for four hundred dollars. Had they asked of any state in New England a place for that pur- pose, it would not have been granted. And before they oc- cupied the premises, no one knew anything of the institution, its locality or condition. Such are proofs of my sympathy for the cause, while I represented and acted for it. On the 27th, Gregory called again on Dr. Waters, and proposed leaving all matters out between us to referees, and so informed me. I told him that I had asked nothing unreasonable in my settlement; and although I had been assured that if I would refer it, I should obtain even more than I claimed in my note. I declined the offer, because I had already over-taxed my friends about this settlement the past winter, and now at this late date, I refuse accepting the proposition. On the 29th, Gregory called and brought the note, but did not settle the bill. Dr. Waters said he entirely forgot it. I considered this no kind of a settlement, and told him so. However, if these gentlemen thought otherwise, and such was a correct mode of doing business, they would suffer the consequence which would inevitably follow ; for if they did not pay the bill I should seek to obtain the money from the public, considering it my right and duty so to do, if my health and patience would enable me to proceed. And if Dr. Waters had not been so long perplexed, I would never consent to such a settlement. But I felt that his generosity and patience had been already over-taxed by myself and the officers, and therefore concluded to let the society have their own way in the matter, believing it would in time be for the best. 10 74 Mr. Gregory said that each director had become respon- sible for fifty-seven dollars and fourteen cents. This fact was ludicrously amusing to many, and is to the present time; for it exposes the want of interest in these office-holders; the encouragement given by their remaining in office with- out their aid in securing the house or subjecting themselves to liabilities, till a feeling of revenge or pleasure was excit- ed within their hearts by the influence of Samuel Gregory, and communicated by his aid, that of Anna Golding, to the papers and the public, till village, town, city and state had become acquainted with the sad tale of the Female Medical College^ grievances. Boston, May 21,1851. We the undersigned, agree each to be responsible to the amount of one seventh of four hundred dollars, $57,14, as security for the payment of rent by the Female Medical Ed- ucation Society, for Dr. Winslow Lewis's house, 75 Boylston street, under the Society, running to August first, A. D. fifty two, in consideration of Dr. Lewis's relinquishing a similar obligation for four hundred dollars, given by Mrs. Helen M. Gassett, July 15th, 1850. Signed, Samuel Gregory, John P. Jewett, S. E. Sewall, Willard Sears, Timothy Gilbert, S. G. Shipley, D. S. King. Was it not a great effort But behold what follows. What will be thought of this ? on their part for the association ? 75 Caution to the Public. — The Directors of the Female Medical Education Society, hereby caution all persons against paying money to a Mrs. Gassett, as she has been discharged several months since, and has no authority to collect for said Society. Timothy Gilbert, President. Boston, May 29,1851. This notice was inserted in most of our daily papers, four years since. Now I respectfully ask, whether my readers have discov- ered any evidence of my discharge from the Society, in the preceding pages. They contain all the facts of my connec- tion with it up to the above date, and yet the document is signed by its president, with no conscientious scruple, though it is gross falsehood. The signer is deacon of a Baptist church, ordained in office as a disciple of Christ, a man recognizing the great movements of the age; He is one of the fathers of the abolition, and acts as manager and advisor of the moral reform societies. He also fills various other situations of responsibility, not necessary to be here enumerated. Now I demand, has a colored brother stronger claims up- on his charity, than one of his own color and kind ? Ought he to be willing to subject one of his own degree and com- plexion to become degraded and despised, by signing his name to a public document containing a scandalous libel ? while on the other hand he extends his sympathy to that fallen class, for whom there is little hope for reclamation, through not even all the aid he may giveithem! Fallen creatures indeed ! but not worse than his publication would make me ' For as I am represented, I should deserve no respect, nor ought I to claim any charity from the world. But if no greater than a hireling, for I claimed nothing 76 higher than that, while engaged in establishing said Society, was I not entitled to a decent share of respect and right, even if I asjured to be nothing more under a republican gov- ernment ? Why was this deacon and president so repulsive when I called upon him to reason with, and show him the erroneous and unjustifiable character of Gregory's management ? He turned from me with a contemptous air, and intimated that what I had said were but exaggerations, scarcely listening to hear the end of one sentence. Did he think there could be no deception in Mr. Gregory, if there was in me ? Would it not have been well for him to have accompanied me to the house unawed by Gregory, and made such inquires as might have developed its secret imperfections ? If I were as heinous as they represent, why did they want me to remain in the agency, board in the house and perform the duties of the society, stating that they could not do with- out my services ? Why further were they so reluctant to surrender my obligation willing and readily granted for their good, without my inquiring into the characters of those who wished to receive the benefit of that paper given by a wo- man, which secured to them an honorable establishment to represent themselves from ? How came in short, this great leader of reforms to sign his name to a falsehood ? Because he was informed by agents that it must be done to protect the Society. No ref- erence in the paper to themselves, but the Society. The ad- vertisement does not hint it is to prevent cautious persons from exposure, nor those that have little respect for truth. It is with difficulty that I am restrained from giving some statements, if I have not already, that would make my pros- ecutors quake with chagrin. Such facts unrepresented may have been the cause of my suit having turned upon a point 77 of law, and their haste in cautioning the public against me. They had seen enough to know me as a matter of fact per- son ; that a lie could not come from my lips ; and if I told anything it would be the truth, about their management. They could not flatter themselves, I was like them gossip- ers bearing false witness against others, or that they could make me think, they being so round in number. It was even so, because they were willing thus to testify to the world. Mr. Gregory pretended to say I was discharged by his leaving a pamphlet at the house, which contained a para- graph headed " Agents." As in such societies, the public are liable to be imposed upon by self-constructed agents, it is herein stated, that no one is authorized as an agent, who cannot show a written certificate signed by the President and Secretary. In a letter previously given, any person disposed to become an agent, could with impunity. I had no certificate ; and he knew I was not out in the society's name, because he had been repeatedly told so. He also knew, at the time he called for information upon the firm, I was not, or he would not have said to Dr. Waters, he would rather I would keep the money than return it; and as I had no certificate, what persons gave was at their own risk, looking to the individual to whom they gave for re- sults. What right, then, had they to advertise me in the manner they have done ? I never was, in the slightest de- gree, indebted to Samuel Gregory's name for one cent of money obtained for the Society. I have stated in the preceding pages, the manner per- sons represented him to me, and used to teU Dr. Waters of it at the time the remarks were made. His reply was, — " You must expect such things — every one has enemies." I told him I was aware of that; but for persons to make such strong assertions, as they did about him, strangers to 78 a stranger, was rather ominous. And when I came to be placed in the position I have attempted to describe, I could but revert to some advice given by those persons. I never carried and presented a book to any person for subscriptions, with a certificate signed by him.. And he never wrote one in a book, until just about getting the house ; and then he wrote it, I have thought, for a kind of emulation, that these persons might, if I by chance should meet any of them, behold his rival. He well knows his enemies, probably. I never carried out a certificate — I never was in the least degree beholden to any one for my success in that or any cause. I heard such statements, that I did not consider it practicable; and as Dr. Waters said, every one had enemies — many without a reasonable cause, to. I do not feel that I merit the reproaches that I have received from them, and shall not, until they have convinced * me, by the mode I have so eagerly sought, to give them an opportunity to show my own wrongs on the one hand, and let them prove on the other, wherein I have failed to per- form my duty. CHAPTER IX. I left the city for the country on the 28th of June, and was absent till the 11th of August. When I returned, Dr. Waters gave me a note from S. E. Sewall. I submit its contents to my readers, and leave them to decide whether it was dictated in good or bad taste — in friendly feeling or ill will: — " Washington-St, August 7th. Madame: I am directed to say, that unless you cease immediately and entirely to collect money, by representing yourself as an Agent of the Female Medical Education Society, or by representing yourself as having been injured by the Socie- ty's name in any manner, you will be prosecuted criminally for obtaining money by false pretences, of which there is abundant proof. Respectfully, &c, S. E. Sewall." I had been absent more than six weeks when this letter was written. I had not been out or thought of the thing. I had been on a visit among my friends, sixty miles from the city, and on returning, was threatened with a criminal prosecution because I said I had been injured by the Society or in its name. Am I not to be permitted to speak of my wrongs if I 80 have been wronged! and in my own native land commanded to be silent by one of a superior or inferior capacity, as though I were yet under their authority ? If I were the criminal their letter indicates, and of which they had such abundant proof, why did they not cause me to be arrested at once, without giving themselves the trouble of writing this alarming threat? Such able-bodied and strong-minded gentlemen ought to perform their duty without menace ! However, I never ^ feared them, for I committed no evil while connected with the Society, nor made any mistake during the time, unless it was in being too much interested in having it under good and wholesome organization and regulation. [No person ever knew of my being closeted for hours, daily and regu- larly, with Gregory or with any other gentleman — as a customary thing with Anna Golding and Samuel Gregory.] This note comes from Mr. Sewall, the woman's rights man, who advocates her cause with stanch ostentation. He seems to have forgotten his duties, therefore, when he seeks the destruction of a humble individual of that sex he pretends to uphold and sustain. He ought to be the man, the very man, to lend a supporting influence to an oppressed -j and embarrassed woman, made thus by the wickedness of his brother man and others. I remained in, Boston till the 6th of November, '51, and left on account of poor health to pass more or less time in the country. I returned to the city on the 18th of March, A. D. '52, and left it again on the 26th of April, and came back to Boston on the 8th of June. On the 28th of June, in the afternoon I called upon an acquaintance and was handed a report that had been sent to them by Mr. Gregory, as was supposed. My attention was called to the following upon the last page of it: — 81 "Caution to the Public.—The Directors regret to be again obliged to caution the public against a Hellen Maria Rice, alias Hellen Maria Gassett who, under the former name, was reccommended to the Society, and was for a time employed as agent, but found unworthy of confidence and dismissed. Still continuing to collect, she was, in May last, advertised ; but has since been heard of in various places obtaining money by representing herself as having been unjustly treated by the Society, and by other pretences. By obtaining contributions from many respectable persons, and using their names in her subscription book, she has, it is believed, been very successful in imposing upon people. She is of medium statue, light complexion, a fluent talker, and well calculated to deceive. Persons who have been applied to by her, will do the public a service by reporting her to some of the Directors of the Society. Boston, Feb. 16th, 1852." Was there ever a more diabolical outrage committed upon a human being ? Where was that justice I had so long sought for from them in vain ? Could there be found the same number of men guilty of such barbarity and false- hood ? Was not this caution enough of itself, to prove there existed iU will, and that it was put forth in a spirit of revenge. Review the dates, and it will appear nothing can be made out of the above, but a wilful and malicious libel. Three months and ten days I had been absent "from the city. I had not taken up a book, or thought of doing so. It was named everywhere in perfect disgust. I heard enough of its doings here without taking it out into the country on a visit with me. 11 82 I had entered into another kind of business at this time, and was not in the slightest degree connected with the Society, and had no occasion to refer to it. I had engaged in a matter for the express purpose of relieving the embar- rassed position I had been placed in by the officers of the Society, and restore what I had already expended from my own purse in their behalf. I was more than sixty miles from the city when this appeared in the report, and had been away three months and ten days; and yet the Court said, no ill will. Call such, justice ? If it be right and a righteous judgment, who may not falsely prejudge with impunity ? and from what tribunal can redress be obtained against the wrong doer ? It is impossible to describe my feelings, when my attention was first called to their published caution. My first deter- mination was, that four-and-twenty hours should not pass, i before the calumniators should be apprised of my indigna- tion in some proper manner. But as several I had con- versed with had not seen the article, and others, who had refrained from telling me of it, because they felt it was cruel in the extreme, and did not want to be the instrument of presenting such disagreeable intelligence to distress me • , and others again, thought as it was of such long standing, they would not notice it—between their conflicting opinions I concluded to pass it by unobserved. On the 17th of September, A. D. 1852, however there appeared in the Daily Evening Traveller the following notice: — "A Female Imposter. — We are requested by the Pres- ident of the Female Medical Education Society, to cau- tion the public against a Helen Maria Rice, who, some three years ago, as it appears, was introduced and reccommended 83 to the Society, by what was supposed to be responsible authority, as Mrs. Helen Maria Gassett, and was for a time employed as an agent. But proving herself dishonest, in having collected funds which she did not account for, and in other respects an unfit person for the place, she was dis- missed. Still continuing to collect, she was advertised in a number of public journals, and subsequently in the Society's Report. She has since been engaged in various places — and very recently in this city — in obtaining money by representing herself as having been involved in debt in con- sequence of the unjust treatment by the Society. She is a woman of middle age, medium stature, light complexion, fluent talker, and well calculated to deceive." Again, from the Boston Daily Post, of Sept. 18,1852: " The public are cautioned against paying Miss Helen Maria Rice any money for the Female Medical Education Society." Again, from the Boston Evening Transcript, of Sept. 16, 1852: — " An Imposetr. — The Female Education Society caution the public against Miss Helen Maria Rice—three years ago calling herself Helen M. Gassett — for collecting funds for which she did not account. She is of middle stature, light complexion, and a fluent talker." Again from the Boston Courier, of Sept. 13, 1852: — " Female Impostor." — " The president of the Female Medical Education Society cautions the public against a Miss nelen Maria Rice, who has, it appears, proved dis- honest." 84 Again from the Boston Daily Commonwealth, of Sept. 18,1852: — " The Female Medical Society, cautions the public against Miss Helen Maria Rice, three years ago calling herself Mrs. Helen Maria Gassett, for collecting funds for which she did not account. She is of middle stature, light complexion, and a fluent talker." I will not say that the officers of the said society are imposters. That I will leave for the public to ascertain, I won't assume the responsibility. Their age, stature, and complexion, I will not describe, but leave that also to be pictured in fancy. I will not say that Samuel Gregory is not entitled to M. D. But did he ever study Medicine a day or an hour in his life. Either is it necessary to invite the public to communicate to me their unwholesome reiterating remarks. Nor do I say he makes known his moderation unto all men, because if I did I should not be believed on this point, after reading the foregoing notices. Neither do I assert that he is well calculated to deceive, however much the public may be deceived by him. I think however, Mr. Andrews, of the Traveller, was deceived, in publishing such a bold attack by Gregory's request, doubtless, upon a person he never saw or heard of except through the lips of the man, for so the Editor testi- fied in court. And from inquiries made at the time, who authorised the insertion of the other slanders that followed in the different papers, the information received pointed to the same individual. Since the publication of those paragraphs, I have given them an opportunity to prove the facts they aUege therein. And if they really had such abundant proof to substantiate my guilt why did they not produce it ? 85 From thirty to forty witnesses were summoned against me, and two able counsel. I anxiously waited to learn what they knew, and could prove. Why were they willing to shield themselves unless the substerfuge of pleading privi- leged communications in their defence ? In my action for libel against them they did not prove their facts to be true, but raised a question of law, to be decided hereafter by the whole court. But who is protected when assailed, if the aggressor may thus delay results ? Neither foreigner nor native is safe. We had better, in this condition of things, cease wrangling about exotic govern- ments, and the institutions of neighboring States, and amend our own local laws. But since the defendants failed to produce their proof, the law aiding them in staving off a verdict and judgment against them, that they might wrong and drive me and my suit out of court, or at least continue it for an indefinite period. Since they are unwilling to meet me on the facts, shall and must I submit in silence ? Can there be any harm in my making an effort to vindi- cate myself, disabuse the public mind of their false reports, and enjoy those blessings of protection, liberally conferred by God on every human being! I hope hereby, not to seek in vain for redress of those robbers of reputation, who admit- ted in court that I was a stranger to them, and who have filched my sustenance, stopped my mouth, deprived me of my natural rights, by binding me down, and fastening upon me, as with fetters of iron, an odious and false name and character! I am persuaded that each and all loving justice to whom the above appeal is made, will pause long before they give an affirmative response to the interrogations ! CHAPTER X. On the twentieth of September, by advice, I applied to Hon. R. Choate for his counsel, in reference to the best course I could pursue to extricate myself from my embarrassed con- nections with the society. He said his time was much occu- pied, that it would be impossible to attend to it, and referred me to Mr. Parker, (I think the gentleman's name was,) a young man who was or had been a student of his, and if he were disposed to engage for me, and needed assistance, he (Mr. Choate) would lend him his aid. * I called at his office three times, but not finding him, I went to R. H. Dana, Esq., on the twenty-third of Septem- ber, and made to him the same statements that I did to Mr. Choate. Mr. Dana said he would examine the case, but that I must pay him twenty-five dollars first. I paid him that sum, with the understanding that he would attend to it immediately. He run through my papers, rolled them up, and placed them in his safe. Day after day, I called upon him, but received only his word that he would have it attended to on such a day, or by such a day, till I became somewhat doubtful of his veracity, and so expressed myself to my friends. I got one of them to have an interview with him, and if possible to find out the cause of the procrastination. Mr. Dana acknowledged he ought not to have put me off so long, and promised to inves- tigate the matter forthwith. Atthistime he had had the case four weeks. I waitednearly 87 three weeks longer, and then withdrew the papers from him. How much or how little influence others had over Mr. Dana in keeping me in suspense I know not. All I want of others is to speak the truth, if they speak anything of me, and then I shall know what they mean, and where to find them. And if J. can get the truth I care not whether it is spoken in mild tones or those of thunder. I really began to think that men possessed no truth, that they were all false beings, and that the louder they proclaimed their love for the rights of suf- fering humanity the more they were deficient in the true spirit of benevolence. I went to Mr. Dana, prepossessed in his favor, and from the manner he received the money and papers I expected of him prompt attention to the busi- ness. When I paid him the twenty-five dollars, I little thought he would pocket the same, keep me in suspense at his pleasure, and make no effort for my benefit. I took back the papers, but not the money. I could have kept them rather cheaper myself, for he is a good pay-master who pays when the work is done. But I cared not so much for the cash as for the deceptive promises. I deemed myself fortu- nate however, that my papers were safely returned to me again. I next went to the Hon. Benj. F. Hallett, with impres- sions unfavorable to him, caused by statements made to me of his unpopularity. But I can truly pronounce him to be a man of integrity, a true-hearted and genuine philantrophist, of fixed and undeviating good moral principles. I congrat- ulate myself therefore, in my happy exchange of counsel. I have learnt by experience, that we must have personal acquaintance with men and women to know their characters, that popular rumor neither proves them to be good or bad, that applause and censure are often unjustly bestowed, that 88 names and titles are nothing, and that " reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit, and lost without deserving ^ After soliciting Mr. Hallett's services to audit and settle my difficulties with the other parties, he made an effort to bring them to adjustment in vain. Many inquiries wore made by my friends of them, why they were unwilling to ren- der me justice. A couple of gentlemen called upon Samuel Gregory, at his boarding place, the morning after the last announcement to the public through the papers, to learn why they pursued me in such a manner, and the crime I had com- mitted. They were waited upon into the parlor. After some little time he came into the room ; they introduced them- selves and made known their business, and said that they had called to learn the true statement of facts, to gather in- formation for themselves, and for no evidence to be made use of in any way against him or his party. Gregory said that if I or my friends were aggrieved, there was a method of redress by law. One of the gentlemen said he did not consider that a Christian spirit, coming from one who pro- fessed such principles, and for his part he did not approve of law, that he thought it was unchristian-like on his part, to manifest such a spirit—and that law was a merciless method to settle wrongs ; he did not approve of it, and no gentleman would be guilty of the act. But he was as cold blooded and unmoved as marble. Finally, the gentleman turned to the other and said, let us depart, for it is useless to waste time where so little is deserved. When one of the gentlemen learned I was decided to make the attempt to obtain justice, he called and advised me to have nothing to do with them, for it was evident that Grego- ry was at the bottom of the whole matter, and that he was satisfied that he was a cold blooded villain, and should ad- 89 vise me to have nothing to do with him or them. I told him if they wished to meet me they could; that I should not pass this charge by. Since the call, he has described to me the impressions made upon his feelings by Gregory on that oc- casion ; though not till long after he learned I had prosecut- ed the parties. He said that when he came into the room, he was very gracious, so very polite that his manners were actually salvey. That is the true character of his appearance when any one he thinks is about to lend aid to his projects. He was indeed so salvey in his address, that it was sickening to see him ; but when he learnt it was in relation to the manly business he performed the day before, he became more like an icicle than a human being; and of all persons he remind- ed him the most of, was the character in Copperfield, Uriah Heep. " As thistles Avear the softest down, To hide their prickles till they're grown, And then declare themselves, and tear Whatever ventures to come near; So a smooth tongue does greater feats Than one that idly rails and frets, And all the mischief that he meant, Does, like the rattle snake prevent." All the inquiries amounted to nothing more than the above. Being briefly answered, we are prepared for action with ample testimony; and if she . or her friends are ag- grieved, they can resort to law for redress. As if to make sacred law effectual against innocence. Finally, my counsel became satisfied that they were de- termined to force me into court. He thought if they had not some strong grounds for this course, they would not 90 subject themselves to being sued. I told him I was ready to meet them there; and if he would undertake the case for me, if it cost me every cent that I was, or might be worth, I would freely expend it to prosecute the cause. I was not ashamed to be poor; it was no disgrace, if I was honorably so. But I would not suffer the reproaches of these merciless men — charges of which I was entirely innocent. I therefore would not submit to them. He sug- gested they might bring forward false testimony. I replied I of course expected they would do so. I could expect nothing else, inasmuch as all they had said about me was false. I therefore would like to give them an opportunity to establish those charges; and let the public know that I was not afraid nor ashamed to meet them. Were I guilty of that with which I am accused, I ought to suffer their curses the rest of my life ; and I should rightly deserve them. Mr. Hallett complied with my wishes, and caused a writ to be served upon the officers of the Society. With regard to the editors who have inserted the slanders against me, I am dis- posed to exercise charity; though they treated me with no re- spect by their publications, by taking one man's word for the truth of the statements. They knew not what they were doing, though they might suppose they did. If they had made the proper inquiries, they might have learned the truth about me. I forgive them. But with my accusers it is different. I am persuaded they knew better, and there- fore there is no excuse for them. They have disgraced themselves, by their unrighteous conduct, and time will prove it so. Let me remark here, that it is manifestly bet- ter for gentlemen connected with the press, before spread- ing abroad scandal in their columns against a private indi- vidual, to ascertain the accuracy of the facts; for there i 91 more harm done often in a brief paragraph of defamation, than an editor can atone for during his life. The only reason why I pursue my assailants at all, is to know how far they can maintain their allegations; for as I said to Mr. Hallet, if I were guilty, I certainly would not institute the action — especially at the present day, when justice is so tardy, and may be bought or sold for a pecu- niary consideration. Though great regard is expressed for the rights of women, in America, it is mere pretence if our law will countenance this act. For by the charges, I my- self am not only condemned, but my family also is stigma- tized forever. Charges that are made from the officers of an institution, who are seeking its support in every village, town, and city in the New England States, which charges, through their reports and the newspapers, have reached foreign shores denouncing me as a criminal. Though the report containing the Caution was printed in the year 1852, it has been made use of the past winter at the Adams' House, in Boston, to poison some of the repre- sentatives minds against me. Is such a thing just ? Can any one say that it is wrong for me to seek indemnity for these injuries in a land of equal laws of my persecutors ? from a class of men who are public beggars of funds to sus- tain the institution, sending their agents from house to house, and shop to shop, throughout the land, which agents are re- ceiving a genteel livelihood in the laudable cause. A few facts within my knowledge and from their reports will show how matters stand. They continued to represent themselves from Boylston street till August, A. D., 1852. From that time nothing more is heard of them till about the 21st of December, when a lecture is announced to be delivered by Samuel Gregory, in behalf of the Female Medical College, giving an account 92 of the origin, condition and progress of the institution, and of this branch of female education in our country. The lec- ture was advertized to come off at Cochituate Hall at half- past seven o'clock, P. M., and the public were invited to attend. On that evening, there being but seventeen persons present, it was postponed to the next week, on Thursday. The time came, and there were but eleven auditors; but Mr. Gregory nevertheless pronounced his address. When he had got through with it, he invited the audience of gentle- men to walk up and examine the plates of male practice in Midwifery more closely, if they desired, than he was able to exhibit them from the desk. The next evening a flaming account was given in the papers of his able lecture ; but I was told by a gentleman who at- tended that it was a very common-place affair. The time was lost in listening to it. My informant thought he, him- self, without any pretensions, might have done better. No doubt, for Gregory is neither fitted by nature, education nor circumstances to lecture on medical and physiological sci- ence. Being also an unmarried man, he is not the person to expatiate on such subjects. It was manifestly improper, likewise, to exhibit those indelicate illustrations as he did. And this modest and unassuming man, the public is recog- nizing as a fit agent to conduct and manage the N. E. Female Medical College ! Mothers and young ladies of America ! Would your sons and brothers, who are educated physicians, be guilty of such impropriety, conduct so unprofessional, as to publicly disclose the secrets of their avocation ? If they did, they would become a bye-word, and deservedly lose their reputation and practice into the bargain. Gregory has assailed in the work he has published, the members of the regular profession, in terms which indicate that no moral purity exists among them. 93 But again, let us discover, if we can, the means he has used to build up the society, more properly speaking himself. Whether it has not been by resorting to every vulgar artifice, against those generally of far more integrity than he pos- sesses, a large class of our most respectable citizens. In the first place, a book filled with plates on Midwifery of an objectionable character, is put into the hands of his brother to sell to any and all persons who would purchase them, while he was lecturing on the same subject to a class of ignorant persons of the male sex, and talking with them about it on the public highways. In the year A. D., 1845, he and his brother began their operations by putting out the work that I first took out to sell. They formed into a society in November, A. D., 1848, with but six members. When I entered upon the duties of an agent, I had six names upon my subscription list, August 20, 1849, though my petition said they had six hundred members the year 1849 ; but they had for their only representa- tion of the society an office at Mr. Marsh's, 25 Cornhill, till August, A. D., 1850, — then they were located in Boylston street, till August, A. D., 1852, when from August, 1852, till February or March, 1853, there was nothing heard of them, with but one exception — a lecture from Mr. Gregory on the 30th of December. They then obtained a room that would accommodate about thirty persons, where they now hail from, on Washington street. The book did not favor the faculty, who were, therefore, disgusted with it. Their patients were disgusted with it also, and would not sympathize with the cause. And with- out their co-operation I found it useless to labor in its behalf, and so told Gregory ; and knowing that he was little re- spected by the faculty, and that his society did not rank very high, he endeavored to throw the odium out on me, by keep- 94 ing me well posted in and before the public; first, through letters ; second, through agents ; third, through papers; and fourth, through reports. It seemed to be their special business to represent me as a most heinous creature ; and at the lecture at Cochituate Hall, on the 31st of December, A. D., 1852, when leaving the hall, a gentleman remarked, there is very little interest exhibited for the society. Yes, was the reply, but there is probably as much as ever there will be, while it is conduct- ed by the present person. The stranger began to attribute the cause of it to an agent they had formerly emolov^d my- self. This was two years after I had withdrawn from the agency. He was told it was false, but he persisted in say- ing certain things were true. He was answered his author was known, and that there was two sides to the story. His name was demanded, that he might be called upon to prove his statements. He did not submit to their request, but went away, and has never since been seen. One of the present agents called upon a gentleman for aid, and in expressing her views pretty freely was asked why the lady that took the house of me left ? She represented her in that manner, one would suppose that she had been ejected. When she was asked for whom they wanted a room to be locked up and a sofa-bedstead in it, for whose special conve- nience was it to be prepared, she left the store, and has not since been there. At another store she called several times for a donation but was denied it; for, said the gentleman, I felt convinced there was something wrong about the society from her state- ments. Another remarked, she needed to be only a man to have been shown the door. Such conveys but a faint idea of the character of their agents. Mr. Gregory's brother was going about selling his book 95 that contained large plates on male practice in Midwifery to any and all persons he could induce to buy them. Can it be believed that a pure-minded man would engage in such a business from no selfish motive and for the good of the pub- lic alone ? While he was one day exhibiting his book for sale, a con- versation ensued between himself and another upon the low character of the business he was engaged in; that he was not very respectably employed; that a man seeking a living in that form could not much regard his dignity ; and some thing being also said of his book in connection with the Med- ical School, he represented me as dealing falsely with the society. One of the gentlemen in the store told him if he would prove one assertion he had made that afternoon about me he would give him a twenty dollar bill, taking one from his pocket. He left the store, and has never called for the twenty dollars, nor has he been seen since. I have shown, I think, that the object of my persecutors is to brake down my reputation, and build up their own upon its ruins. It might have been more judicious for these persons to have operated in a more quiet manner; for the system they have adopted and carried out will never invest them with that dignity they have so zealously sought. On November 2d, A. D., 1853, the introductory lecture of the fall term was advertized to be given at the Meonian Hall, Tremont Temple. I attended there at the time ; there being but sixty-two persons present according to my compu- tation. I was greatly disappointed, for I expected to wit- ness a large assembly. The next week free lectures were announced. I attended three of them. At the first, there were twenty-five; at the second, twenty-three ; and at the third, thirteen only com- 96 posed the audience. This falling off indicates the want of talent in the lecturers, and consequently but little interest was manifested in the cause. Upon inquiry of one of the women present, how large their number was that term ; her reply was, she did not know, but very few, however, were present. It is still asserted that the society is yet in exist- ence. On the 9th of December, another lecture was advertised free; one month since the last free lecture. Eleven were present, including the students. I learnt at this time there were two or three some days, and the largest number was five. The next you hear about the society is an announcement as follows : — " March 3d, A. D. 1854. Female Physicians. — Four ladies are to receive their degrees of M. D. this afternoon, at the New England Female Medical College, corner of Boylston and Pleasant streets." From their representing themselves from their old site, it had an appearance of feeling all forgotten ; and that there had not been much interest in the public for their welfare through that season of instruction. "March 4th. New England Female Medical College. — The Com- mencement Exercises of the term of 1854, took place at the institution, 274 Washington street, yesterday, and the following persons received the degree of M. D.: Sophronia Fletcher, Lowell, Thesis, Insanity ; Lucy A. Harris Water- ville, Me., Thesis, Hemorrhage ; Mary H. Jenks, Springfield Thesis, Parturition; Martha N. Thurston, Lowell Thesis Cholera Infantum. The degrees were conferred by the Hon. John S. Tyler 97 President of the Institution. The Valedictory Address was delivered by Professor Cornell. It was an interesting dis- course, setting forth the duties, responsibilities, trials, and pleasures of the Medical Profession, and was listened to with marked attention by a crowded audience of ladies and gentlemen — among the latter of whom, was His Honor, Mayor Smith, and several clergymen. The address was followed with statements by Rev. A. A. Miner and Samuel Gregory; and the exercises were closed with prayer by Mr. Miner. Thus ended this term." One would think by reading the above account, that there had been a great interest taken by a large concourse of persons assembled to see the degrees conferred. It speaks of a crowded audience. I do not doubt that thirty-five would fill every seat. Fifty could not be well seated — that num- ber might be admitted to stand. Twenty-seven occupied every seat, the first lecture I attended at their college. But from the description here given of it, one unacquainted with the deception practiced upon the credulity of the public through this paragraph, inserted in the papers as editorial, for the purpose of drawing attention, creating sympathy, and claiming support, would really suppose this to be an institution of great popularity; and one in which the public generally were deeply interested. I often hear persons who are little acquainted with it, say, " They are getting along finely, I see from the papers." True, its suc- cess is known only on and through the papers. This Institution claims for its name, New England Fe- male Medical College; and at its great and final closing for the season, with its five to ten thousand annual sub- scribers, not more than fifty attend on its great commence- 13 98 ment day. But from the account given by the papers, one would think there were thousands who attended its meet- ings. Crowded! Why, the friends of the Directors and Teachers ought, if they did not, to have filled that little room. At the last commencement, how many Directors were there ? Was there more than two — President and Secretary — and did the President stop more than fifteen minutes ? In the report, it is sated that over one hundred have attended the school, and a degree conferred upon six. How many are in practice at the present time with but three months instruction, and that by only one teacher—"a mere smattering"—it does not say. Why have so many pupils attended one term only, and migrated to other institutions ? Is there not a cause for it ? Why do respectable persons dislike to have it known that they ever attended this insti- tution ? If you converse with one that is in practice, who has attended this school one term, and graduated at some other, you will not find her to admit the fact, unless par- ticularly inquired of. Now let us look at the interest manifested by the officers of this institution. Have not their annual meetings been conducted by two, and sometimes three — two Directors and a Teacher — one of the Directors, Chairman, and one Sec- retary, and the Teacher voted the whole Board of Direc- tors in ? How was it last season, October '54 ? There was a public meeting advertised. A member attended, or essayed to attend. He went to the coUege-room at quarter to eight. It was lighted up, and he waited until after nine, and retired without seeing any signs of a public meeting. The next morning there appeared in the early papers an an- nouncement of the result of their annual meeting as follows: 99 " The Annual meeting of the Female Medical Education Society elected John S. Tyler, President; Samuel Gregory, Secretary; John P. Jewett, Treasurer; Benj. C. Clark, Samuel E. Sewall, A. W. Thaxter, jr., D. S. King, J. P. Jewett, and S. Gregory, Directors" From such a notice, the reader would believe there had been a public meeting. But it was not so; although it was advertised there was to be one. There might have been a closet-meeting; and as there never has been public interest enough felt at this institution, to call together an audience, the two or three who constitute the society, did not expect an assembly on this evening, or they probably would have attended themselves. When there has been any public business for the directors to do, has not Gregory taken a paper and run from one di- rector to another to procure signatures ? Howevever repectable the Board of Directors may appear upon paper, they have been only men of straw, so far as action for the Society is concerned. They have never taken interest enough in the Society, to attend as a body, either at an annual or any other business meeting. Will not this be considered a fine Board to receive and distribute the pub- lic money ? I here copy two or three Articles from their Constitution. " Article 4. The officers shall be chosen annually by ballot, at the yearly meetings of the Society — a majority of votes cast being required to secure the election of the several candidates. The officers shall have power to fill any vacancies that may occur in their Board, and shall fill their offices till others are appointed." It is doubted whether the above has ever been adhered to — one only being present to vote the whole. 100 " Article 5. There shall be also Seven Directresses—to be appointed by the Directors — whose duty it shall be to assist in conducting the internal affairs of the Hospital, the selection of females proper to be admitted to its privileges and its charities ; and in all suitable ways to aid in promoting the objects of the Society." These seven directresses, I think, cannot be very efficient in their offices. By all the inquiries that have been made, I have never learned of any one of them assisting in the internal affairs of the hospital, or in the selection of females proper to be admitted to its privileges or its charities, or in promoting the cause. " Article 8. The Annual Meeting of the Society shall be held on the first Wednesday in October; and special meetings may be caUed by the Directors when by them deemed necessary. All meetings shall be notified not less than seven days previous to the time of holding them, by advertising in no less than four newspapers published in Boston, where the meetings of the Society shall be held." They are liberal, in giving such ample time for the public to digest the advertisements in four papers, to attend the annual meeting; but on the evening appointed, when one arrives at the college he or she finds not an individual in attendance — no, not even the officers ! "Article 9. This Constitution may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at any meeting of the Society, provided notice of intended amendments be given in the caU of the meeting." According to the last annual meeting, the Constitution will remain the same as long as the Society is in existence__ there having been no interest manifested for its welfare. 101 Now let us turn to their Annual Account, and see if there be any thing that may interest, or throw any light upon the so-called popular, though invisible Society. The first account we get of the annual amount of money collected, is on the 16th of February, A. D. 1852. Organ- ized on the 6th of November, A. D. 1848 — three years existence — and no account rendered of money received during that time. The account is made up from the year A. D. 1850, October, and ending October 1851. Their receipts were, from Fees of annual and life members,"and dona- tions, ....." - - $2,179.00 Tuition fees,......588.00 Rent of part of college building, not occupied for the institution, - 400.00 Total, - . - - $3,167.00 Expenses. — Rent of college-house, furniture, library, &c.,.....$1,200.00 Taxes, and water rent, - 61.10 Paid to lecturers,.....415.00 Paid to agents,.....523.00 Edition of annual reports, - 96.00 Edition of legislative reports, - 41.00 Advertising terms, printing circulars, &c, 144.49 For an article of apparatus, a sign, fuel, &c, stationery, postage, travelling fees, public lectures, miscellaneous expenses, - - 298.01 The balance paid to Secretary, - - 388.40 Total, - - - - $3,167.00 In the above account, we see that the fees paid by the pupils were more than they paid to the lecturers; and in looking over the list, three separate charges made for meet- ings and lectures. 102 According to the statement given on the opposite page to the account in the report, there seems to be but one agent. $523 are allowed for her salary. The apparatus is not definitely described or charged. All the travelling and public expenses, stationery, postage, fuel, lights, and a salary of $388.40. $911, besides having all their extra expenses paid, is a pretty fair profit to receive from public subscriptions for two individuals the first year, on a secu- rity given by one who was denounced as an unfaithful agent and unworthy of confidence. The salary to the agent, was more than I collected for the one year and a half I was connected with them, and until I decided to have nothing more to do with the Society. The apparatus, they hired of a lady, and have never paid for the use of it. Gregory, after having used it for the sea- son, sent it back to her without paying for transportation. But a couple of years afterwards he called and paid the item, but not for the use of the apparatus. He might have heard of her denying statements he had made to the public, of its costing the Society so much for the use of apparatus, as he represented, when in fact they had not paid her one cent for the use or the transportation of it; although they injured it more than it ever was before or since damaged. The Second Annual Account, for the year ending Octo- ber 5th, A. D. 1852, made up and printed, January, A. D. 1853. Receipts. — Money collected, including fees of annual and life membership, - $1,782.18 Donations for purchasing apparatus - - 550.00 Rent for part of college building, - - 426.04 Tuition fees, ... . 700.00 Total, - $3,458.22 103 Expenses. — Rent of college, including furni- ture and library,.....$1,000.00 Expenses of establishment, - - - 263.55 Paid to agents for collecting funds, - - 372.73 Paid for apparatus,.....455.13 Paid to lecturers, being the amount of tuition fees,.......700.00 Advertising terms, meetings, &c, - - 136.87 Printing reports and circulars, - - - 63.00 Miscellaneous : travelling fees, postage, sta- tionery, &c,......89.53 The balance paid to secretary, - 377.41 Total, - - - - $3,458.22 Here it is seen by the account, that none of the subscrip- tion money is appropriated to the instruction of pupils, as many suppose their contributions are bestowed for that purpose. The expenses for the establishment are $263.55; and the rent for part of the building is $426.04. Did they rent the establishment, and then pay for taking care of it? There does not seem to be any other expense connected with the house, that would have called for so large a sum, unless it was for the agent or agents. It does not specify what it was for. In this report there appears to be two agents—S. Gregory and Anna Golding. They occupied and managed the house ; although some members had made an effgrt to have the Society conducted differently, they were not able to effect an alteration. The agents get $372.73, and $263.55—in aU, $636.18. Advertising terms, meetings, &c, is quite an item in their accounts, besides serving as convenience. $136.87—quite a sum for meetings, the few they had. Printing reports and circulars, $33 ; miscellaneous, travelling fees, postage, stationery, &c, $89.53; the balance paid to Secretary, $377.41 —making a sum for the agents services of $1,- 013.59, travelling and extra expenses not included. 104 The Account for the year ending October 4th, 1853 ; pub- lished Jan. 13th, 1854. Receipts. — From fees of annual and life mem- bership, donations, and tuitions, - - $3,056.33 They do not credit this season, the fees paid by the stu- dents definitely; but all moneys received are acknowledged in account. And why ? Because the number being so few, might lessen the sympathy in the public, and the contribu- tions. I was informed by one of the pupils, there were but five ; and certainly one might suppose that the reason I have given might be the true one. A falling off of three-quarters since the year 1850. Expenses. —Rent and fitting up of college-rooms and office,.......$262.93 Furniture,.......78.17 Apparatus, . - - - - - 350.00 Paid lecturers, during the terra, - 278.00 Printing 6000 copies of annual reports, also documents for the legislature, billets, circu- lars, &c,......277.78 Advertising,......111.21 Travelling, public lectures, and employment of agents,......733.08 Secretary's salary,.....600.00 Fuel, stationery, and miscellaneous expenses, 252.61 Total> " - - - $2,963.80 Balance on hand, - - . _ - $92 53 Rent charged for fitting up College rooms, two hundred and twenty-six dollars, ninety-three cents ; hired and entered the room sometime the present year, ending Oct. 4, 1853. 105 The year this account was made out for the College rooms it says, but more properly termed room, I think,it is fourteen by sixteen, possibly, or sixteen to twenty. I do not know ex actly, I judge merely from a personal view of its size. The furniture consists of three rows of seats and benches on which six or seven might be seated in one row, a portable desk or table, an ordinary one, and a couple of chairs, a stove, an air tight one I think, a box with a figure in it, a manikin, a dozen or two of anatomical plates, all of which constitutes the principal part of the furniture. Here you have the interior properties of this renowned seminary. I am told the teachers received nothing more for their lectures this term than what the pupils paid, $278.00. Account for the year, ending Oct. 3d, 1854. Receipts. — For Annual and Life Memberships and Donations,.....$3059.61 Expenses. — Rent,.....309.34 Printing and paper,.....337.53 Advertising,......187.03 Postage,.......43.48 Furniture, fuel, fitting up and other expenses of rooms,......167.29 Anatomical materials, and other expenses connected with the institution, - - 113.00 Travelling and other expenses, and pay of agents,k.....7 692'34 Paid for services in obtaining pupils, and in connection with the application to Legisla- ture, and in aiding the objects of the society generally,......277.69 Secretary's salary, - - - - - 600.00 Paid toward arrearages of Secretary's salary, 100.00 Miscellaneous expenses, - 86.63 $2914.33 Balance on hand, ----- $145.28 There is no account of the fee paid to the teachers this 14 106 year, so that it is not known publicly ; but last year the Legislature granted one thousand dollars for forty scholar ships a year, for five years, commencing this year. They had twenty-seven under this grant, and drew the thousand, I have been informed. How much went to pay the teach- ers the report does not say. Now let us see what there is to show for the $15,000, and what there can be expected to be accomplished with the $20,000 they have in contemplation of getting, by tak- ing the present condition of the college for example. Let us review the accounts, and notice how intricately and adroitly they are made out, and see if it be possible to ascertain the expense the society have been to for one item, and if we can find out the precise amount of any one article they have in their possession. In the first place, I will take the apparatus, and copy from all the reports as therein recorded, and see how much they have in their possession. In the first report that we got of the society's collections of the year fifty-one, printed fifty-two. For an article of Apparatus, a sign, fuel, &c, stationery, postage, travelling fees, public lectures and miscellaneous expenses, - $298.01 In the report of fifty-two, printed Jany. 1853, Apparatus,......455.13 In the account of fifty-three, printed Jany., 1854, Apparatus,.....350.00 In the account of fifty-four, printed Feby., 1855, Anatomical plates and materials, and other expenses connected with the institution, 113.00 Now to get to the amount of apparatus, are we to figure up the whole amount set down against these charges ? If so, let us see what it all comes to, and ascertain if the amount is to be found at the college, and what it consists of. The whole, as arranged, and to be estimated according to statis- tics gathered from the report is - - - $1216.14 107 But I am informed that they have not more than one-half of it, and not that which is of practicable use. In this account is all the property that one may or will find at the college ; but we will not stop here, let us look further into their account, by taking for our next consideration their lec- tures and meetings, and see if there can be found the sum paid for them. In the account of fifty-one, of report fifty-two, Paid for lectures,.....$451.00 Advertising terms, meetings, circulars, &c, 144.49 For an article of apparatus, a sign, fuel, &c, stationery, postage, travelling fees, public lec- tures, and miscellaneous expensse, - - 298.01 In the account of fifty-two, in the report of fifty-three, paid to lecturers, - - - 700.00 Advertising terms, meetings, &c, - - 136.87 For the year of fifty-three, in the report of fifty-four, paid for lectures, - - - 278.00 Travelling, public lectures, and employment of agents, for three years expenses for lec- tures as near as can be reached, - - 733.08 $2736.45 For fifty-four, in the report of fifty-five, there is no charge made for lectures or meeting, so you gather no information relative to the amount of instruction given from this far famed institution, in the year fifty-four. l Let us take the advertising and printing account of 1851: ' Editions of annual reports, $96>0J Editions of Legislature reports - - - 41.0U Advertising terms, meetings, printed circu- lars &c. ------ 144.4» For the year fifty-two, advertising terms, meetings, &c, - - - - - ™f Printing reports and circulars, - - - oj-w For the year fffty-five, printing and paper, d^.w Advertising, - - - - ; " lbT'Ud Thus you have it as given to the public, the amount of printing, - ldo4.o± 108 But how much has actually been expended for printing is not definitely stated. Let us turn to the travelling expenses during the four years. For the year fifty-one, For an article of apparatus, a sign, fuel, &c, stationery, postage, traveUing fees, public lectures, miscellaneous expenses, - - 298.01 For the year fifty-two, miscellaneous expenses, traveUing fees, postage, stationery, &c, - 89.53 For the year fifty-three, travelling, public lec- tures, and employment of agents, - - 733.08 For the year fifty-four, traveUing and other expenses, and pay of agents, - - - 692.34 As near as we can get to the travelling ex- penses they are.....1792.96 We will take next the agency. According to statements in the reports, there are but two agents, Samuel Gregory and Anna Golding. They occupied the premises in Boylston street after April, A. D., fifty-one. In the year fifty-one, the account puts down for the agency,.....528<00 Ihen agent and secretary, - - . 388.40 In the year 1852, they tax less to the accounts for agents; but a query rises upon a charge made just above the agents' account, made out as expenses for the establishment; and from the Society's account, they get for the rent of the house $426, and they taxed for the Expenses of the establishment, - - . $262 04 Was this for the expense of the care of the house, when it was let, or was it set down in this manner, and intended for agents, that the sum might not look too exorbitant- there being nothing about the house to call forth such ex- penses that year, if it was leased, and for the sum repre- 109 sented, and the salary charged being so much less this year than last ? I can account for it in no other way. They paid, according to the account this year, $372.73 By taking this charge and putting it with the above, you get a little larger sum than the year before, but no larger, or more added than they have added from year to year; though you will see other things come in to disguise the actual sums paid to these agents, as in aU the different articles we have tried to get at. The next is to agent and secretary, - - $377.41 In the year 1853, is charged travelling, public lectures, and employment of agents, - 733.03 Agent and secretary, ----- 600.00 The year 1854, travelling and other expenses, and pay of agents, ----- 692.34 Agent and secretary, ----- 600.00 Paid towards arrearages of salary, - - 100.00 A very good sum for two agents, - $4,676.50 We will take our last and final item from the accounts of the Miscellaneous expenses, which seem to be quite large ones among their charges. For the year 1851.—For an article of apparatus, a sign, fuel, &c, stationery, postage, travel- Ung fees, public lectures, and miscellaneous expenses,.......$298.01 For the year 1852. — Miscellaneous expenses, traveUing fees, postage, stationery, &c, - 89.53 For the year 1853.—Fuel, stationery, and mis- cellaneous expenses,.....252.61 For the year 1854. — Miscellaneous expenses— the nearest we can get at, - - - - 86.63 Total, ----- $726.77 110 There is one other charge which ought to have come under the traveUing fees. I will give it here. Paid for services in obtaining pupils, and in con- nection with the application to the legislature, and in aiding the objects of the Society gen- erally, .......$277.69 The above charge appears to be made on account of extra services to obtain pupUs, to come under the new legislative act. But formerly that was to be thrown aside; get the money; advertise broadcast —they wUl come in fast enough. It appears from the above they do not; and that, with all their broadcast advertising, extra services and charges, the legislative grant, and gratuitous teachings, they were not able to obtain enough to cover the grant, or come under the new legislative act. And although they have obtained money, and praised the Society loud and long, it appears so little interest is felt in the cause, and profession, that extra efforts and charges are required to be made to increase the school. This furnishes another proof to the public, that concern this seminary: for by that class of persons, for whose ben- efit it was chiefly instituted, is hourly diminishing. A wrong machinery has been in motion, that repels, instead of attracting them within its walls. Ought it so to be ? Should not its affairs be so arranged and conducted that proper encouragement will be afforded to all desirous of reaping the benefits of the coUege — going to it and from it without censure ? Although Gregory engaged to pay me a certain sum for every pupil I could obtain, he afterwards denied it; and he now makes the charge in the society's account for himself and agent, and it is aUowed. Now let us see what services these persons rendered, for which they make the claim independent of a definite salary Ill of six and seven hundred dollars a year. A commission on funds gathered, obtaining pupils, application in connec- tion to the legislature, aiding the Society generally, rent of room, (which is more than the college-room,) and fitting it up; fuel, stationery, miscellaneous travelling fees, and other expenses, he says. Probably board when out of the city, and such other expenses as they might feel disposed to par- ticipate in at the public charge. There appears to be noth- ing to prevent the two agents from receiving the full benefit of these items. They' have, and do now, continue in the enjoyment of such advantages. Having the handling of all the money, and the whole management of this so called New England CoUege — occupying the whole premises at their pleasure, in an edifice not inhabited by any family to tell of their coming in and going out — they conducted their affairs in their own way, perfectly secure and undisturbed. A salary is paid to an individual to do the bidding, and render general services to his employer. Supposing a man or woman receives a salary, is it customary to provide for the party the fitting up of a room, lights, fuel, stationery, besides every other expense that might be incurred by the inexperienced agent, without restriction ? What would be the natural course with such an individual who had but one idea — that of money — if operating under such unlimited privileges ? A man employs a boy to carry out a circular containing his place of business and articles for sale, to distribute to every house and individual. He pays him for the service a stipulated sum, but he does not give him a commission on every bill he makes an effort for a person passing by to take. Yet the agents operating for the Society do claim and re- ceive all this, and more, which facts are clearly developed in the preceding accounts. 112 I will proceed from their account to my own. I took it at fifty per cent, compensation; but failing to obtain enough to pay my expenses, I communicated the fact to Dr. Waters and Mr. Gregory, when the latter said to me and Dr. W., that I must not think of resigning my trust; and if it took every cent I collected, to pay my expenses, I must continue in the agency. He found indeed I was making favorable impressions upon the minds of persons I had called upon, and was doing well — better than any other person in the business before me; and he had no fears or doubts now, about getting the Society into successful operation. I la- bored for it according to agreement, by using all due econo- my. For instance, when I went out of the city, I sought private board where my expenses would be less than at a public house; and many times ladies have inquired of me why I did not board at a hotel, when out of town. I t could give them but one reason — that already stated — the necessity of being economical in dress and board, in order to forward the project in contemplation rapidly. In the city I boarded in a private family in preference to a fashion- able estabUshment, where I must be expected to make a more expensive appearance. My time was all required in the agency for the benefit of the cause, as it appears from Gregory's letter to me in June; and if I had not received such promises for my services, I should not have complied with his wishes so readily, while he, as it now appears was only forming plans and presenting them to me to carry into execution, without his furnishing me one cent for the pur- pose. I will here give a sketch of the manner he conducts the business. Before giving my account, I paid into the Society $150; and when I copied from my cash account and sent it in, by an oversight I made a mistake in omitting two dol- 113 lars. When Gregory made up the Society's account to me in February, he did not acknowledge the error. By his not doing so, I concluded that he did not keep an account of the money I paid to him; or that, as I had made the mistake, he would not acknowledge it, as it would show to the public the sum larger in my possession. It also showed, if he did keep an account, and a correct one, a spirit disposed to take the advantage whenever and in whatever it could be done. And in the February bill he charges the rent of November to me, when they had received the money for it and given a receipt. Then on the interrogatives filed to me, he asks the question when the person I leased the house to took it, the first of November or December, as though they themselves did not know. Is not here proof enough to show that the officers do their business as best suits their pleasure, thinking, as has been said, "We can represent every thing as we please, and it will never be otherwise known to the public, for she wiU never dare to contend against so many as we number." I now proceed in detail with my account. BOARD and washing bill in the city. 1849 — 17i weeks board, $3.00 per week, from Aug. 30,1849, to Jany., 1850, - Full board, from Jany. 1st, to Feb. 12 — 6 TV^PKS _ — — — — — - Half board, from Feb. 12 to Feb. 23 - Full board, from Feb. 23 to May 13 —11 weeks and 2 days,..... Half board, from May 13 to June 5 — 3 weeks and 2 days,...... Full board, from June 5 to June 17 — one week and 4 days..... Half board, from June 17 to July 1st—2 weeks ....... 15 $52.50 18.00 2.37 33.85 4.73 4.73 3.00 114 Full board, from July 1st to Aug. 1st — 4 weeks and 2 days ----- 12.86 Half board, from Aug. 1st to Aug. 13th— 1 week and 5 days.....2.56 Full board, from Aug. 13th to Aug. 20th, - 3.00 Full board, from Aug. 20th to Nov. 30th — 14 weeks and 4 days, - 33.70 Washing, from Aug. 30th, 1849, to Aug. 20th, 1852, at 37 1-2 cts. per week, - - - 19.50 Washing, from Nov. 1st to Nov. 30th, - - 1.50 $191.30 Travelling expenses incurred at the suggestion of Mr. Gregory, Secretary of the Female Medical Education Society in the year 1850 : — Jan. 3d, to South Boston and back, 12 1-2 cts., Jan. 5th ; tickets 25 cts., 37 Jan. 11th, tickets 25 cts.; Feb. 5th, tickets 25 cts.; Feb. 9th, tickets 25 cts., 75 Feb. 11th, carriage, 25 cts. ; cars to Lowell, 60 cts.; carriage 25 cts., ----- 1.10 Feb. 23, board in Lowell, $5.85 ; carriage hire and fare to Boston,.....6.95 March 11th, tickets to South Boston, 50 cts., - 50 May 13th, to New Bedford, carriage and fare, - 2.00 May 28th, 2 weeks and 1-2 board at New Bed- ford, $11.00 ; boat to Fairhaven 3 times, 37 cts,......- - 11.37 May 28th, fare to Nantucket and carriage, - 2.00 May 31st, board at Nantucket, $3.00, - - 3.00 May 31st, fare to the Vineyard, - - - 1.25 June 1st, one day at the Vineyard, $1.00 ; fare to Edgarton, 50 cts,.....1.50 June 3d, three days at Edgarton; board, $2.00 ; fare to New Bedford, $1.75, - - . 3.75 June 5, five days board at New Bedford, $2.00; fare to Boston, $2.00, - 400 June 17, to Concord, N. H.; fare, - 2.00 June 24, board at Concord, and fare to Man- chester, N. H., $5.65, - 5#@5 115 June 29th, board in Manchester, and fare to Nashua, $5.40,......5.40 July 1st, board in Nashua, and fare to Boston, - 3.40 July 3d, to Dorchester, tickets 50 cts., - - 50 July 10, to Feltonville, $1.00 ; conveyance to Bolton, 75 cts.,......1.75 July 10, return fare to Boston, - - - 1.75 July 20, fare to Lancaster and Bolton, - - 1.65 July 22, fare for a lady and myself to Boston, and in the city omnibus, - 3.50 July 23, fare for the lady's return to Bolton, - 1.90 July 24, to Nahant and back, 75 cts., - - 75 July 25, to Lancaster and Bolton, - 1.65 July 26, return fare to Boston, - - - 1.75 July 30, fare to Nahant and back, 50 Aug. 1st, to New Bedford, - 2.00 Aug. 3d, board at New Bedford, $2.50, - - 2.50 Aug. 3d, to Fall River, carriage and cars, 85 cts.; boat to Newport, 75 cts, ... 1.60 Aug. 13, board at Newport, $11.25 ; fare to Boston, $2.00......13.25 Aug. 14, fare to Bolton - - - - - 1.65 Aug. 15, return fare to Boston with the lady Mr. Gregory was so anxious to get, - 3.55 Aug. 15, fare to Nahant and back, 50 Aug. 16, the lady's return to Bolton, 1.65 Aug. 17, fare to Lynn and back, 50 Sept. 6, to Rindge for household articles, and back,........5.00 Sept. 26, fare to New Bedford, - - - 1.50 Sept. 27, one day's board and my return, - 2.50 Feb. 3d, 1851, returning and the transport of articles to Rindge, $7.00, - - - - 7.00 Feb. 23, letter from Gregory, - - - - 5 Travelling expenses, -103.49 116 sundry expenses incurred at the house. For one girl's service from the 20th of August to the 17th of September, - $8.00 A second girl's service 10 1-2 weeks, - - 21.00 Board of the two girls,.....29.00 Repairs and expenses upon the house, - - 38.87 Rent the 6th of November, - 30.00 House expenses, - $126.87 Cash paid into the Society, - - $150.00 Cash coUected by me for the Society, - $505.30 The following is cash paid in from time to time to Gregory: — November 17th, 1849, cash, - 3.00 " 22d, " u - 3.00 December 12th, " a - 12.00 January 14th, 1850, a - 4.00 March" 2d, " a - 2.00 " 8th, " a - 7.00 " 15th, " u - 3.00 " 22d, " u - 7.00 April 3d, " a - 10.00 " 20th, " u - 23.00 May 21st, " a - 25.00 June 6th, " a - 31.00 August 13th, " a - 20.00 $150.00 I will endeavor to digest my account as clearly as I can. I take the sum I paid the commission upon three hundred dollars, which I wiU set down first. That commission would be one hundred and fifty dollars, which sum I paid in, as appears by my date ; and when I made up my account to the Society, as I had made the mistake when I gave the minute to Mr. Jewett. I so stated it in the account, and that if 117 Gregory had kept account of all I paid in, he would have acknowledged the same to me. But as he did not, it shows either an existing spirit of ill-will to me or unfaithfulness in his duty in the office he holds, to the public and to those with whom he may have dealings. Now the one hundred and fifty dollars which was my half out of the three hundred, I set it against my board as far as it goes. My board and washing for the fifteen months in the city was one hundred and ninety-one dollars and thirty cents ; being forty-one dollars and thirty cents more than the commission on the three hundred dollars. Now I take the remaining two hundred and five dollars and thirty cents and divide it, half of which would be one hundred and two dollars and sixty-five cents. This sum I set against my travelling expenses. My travelling ex- penses for the society were one hundred and three dol- lars and ninety-four cents; one dollar and twenty-nine cents more than the half of the two hundred and five dollars and thirty cents; so there remains to be paid forty-two dollars and twenty-nine cents on my board and traveUing expenses ; there not being enough out of the commission of one-half of the five hundred and five dollars and thirty cents to pay for the travelling expenses and my board while I was actively engaged for the society. I now take the other half of the one hundred and two doUars and sixty-five cents, and see how far it will go towards paying my other expenses. In the first place, I will take from it the forty-two doUars and twenty-nine cents, which leaves fifty-eight dollars and twenty-eight cents, that being the amount deficient on my travelling and board bill. The expenses at the house were ninety-six dollars and eighty-seven cents. The sum over the fifty-eight dollars and twenty-eight cents was thirty-six dollars and five cents. 118 The sum of thirty dollars I paid towards the house rent, which makes sixty-six dollars and five cents loss from my own private means, — besides my time, labor and wearing apparel; together with receiving a defamatory character, and being posted in every paper as dishonest, and being discharged from employment in consequence of such slander. Who ought to use the money and have her pay for her labor, but she who risks every effort for the cause in which she is engaged ? , Is not the laborer worthy of his hire, though ever so poor ? But these officers not only considered my services worth nothing, after I got the society into existence, but they cut me asunder from it, and heap upon me through the press and tongue individually and collectively the foulest calumnies they can invent. They say I used the society's money. I used not one cent for my own benefit. I was desired to go here and to go there, to do this and to do that. I per- formed the required services. But for whom and for what ? I have given my account with more minuteness than I would have done, had I not have been so strongly charged with being dishonest, and have tried to digest it clearly, but may have failed in doing so. > I run the risk that secured to me all I could or should have asked for my services, provided I had not learnt that the society was not what it advertised itself to be ; and as badly as I have been abused for what I did for them, I con- sidered myself honored with their reproaches, to what I should be if I were connected with them at the present day. I make no objection to the public supporting such a society, and allowing its money to be used in the manner their re- ports show it to have been. When you read the fifteen thousand dollar statements of the funds contributed, and look for the substance of it, they have invested in property 119 for the use of the institution, you will wonder what has be- come of it, and be inclined to pronounce the same to be a humbug. And such a term might justly enough be applied to it. If I had reported to the public a cause as existing when I did not and could not know the fact for the sake of gain, then I should have enough to humble my mind to re- main forever in silence. CHAPTER XI. I never assumed the airs and the dignity that have been so uneffectually sustained by the present agents, in the pub- lie discoursing with old and young men about the origin of man, nor styled myself Mrs. Doctress, when I had not attended more than one full term, nor received a degree, nor made myself so offensive to the class, as to be considered unworthy of their respect in every form; even when desirous of going into the room where they were; have I had it suddenly locked against me ; nor have I desired to have a pupil say something complimentary to others of the school, to more favorably impress them of my worthiness, and re- ceive an answer, Why, what can I say for you ? I could and should say nothing but the truth, and that they already know. Nor have pupils left the school rather than to attend with me ; because no person I could have any knowledge of > escaped my censorious and unruly tongue, that no means whatever has been successful in stopping. Sometimes these physicians (S. Gregory and Anna Gold- ing,) lecture when out in towns and villages ; and the ac- counts of their discourses are exceedingly amusing for those who have heard the female, declare that a school girl sixteen years old would far exceed her in talent. I will present only one of the many similar cases in which she has figured prominently. I will not give it a name, but leave my readers to christen it themselves. She visited a very intellectual class of ladies not a great distance from 121 this city, for the purpose of getting funds, and represented herself as President and Doctress of the Female Medical College of Boston. The ladies took her word for it, consid- idering such honors in the metropolis of New England would be conferred upon no person unworthy of them. They had a religious meeting, and many took their young children with them. One afternoon while she was in the place, they politely invited her to attend. She accepted the invitation, and went. The ladies, out of courtesy to the doctress, invi- ted her to take the lead. She declined, by saying she was not prepared, &c, but should like the privilege of making a few remarks after the meeting. It was granted. Accord- ingly when they had got through with the services, she rose, took some anatomical apparatus she had with her and exhi- bited the models in the several stages of embryo in the pre- sence of the young children, and expounded them after her usual style, being that of a farago of confusion and ignorance. The ladies looked first to one, and to the other, not knowing whether to remind her of the impropriety of her discourse, or to let her proceed with it. She finished it, however, and left the hall. A burst of surprise and indignation ensued from the assembly at her presumption in introducing her in- dehcate subject. It was agreed that they had been decidedly imposed upon; and the question, what course to take in re- ference to the matter was discussed. It was finally decided not to proclaim the fraud to the public, nor to reveal it in private. But some two or three weeks afterwards, one of the ladies said to a certain doctor, " I have got something to tell you; and although I have pledged my word not to disclose, it is too good to be kept secret. She then related the facts, which afforded him and the ladies of the circle to whom he repeats them no little amusement. He tells the story with 16 122 considerable grace. Although the physician does not dis- approve of properly educating women in medical science, he yet is decidedly opposed to female charlatantry in every form. And the question arises, if a school of the kind is to be supported, ought it not to be judiciously and practicably or- ganized, one that will meet the approbation of the entire community, without disposing of the funds got out of the public to pay agents and lecturers, manifestly incompetent to perform the services they undertake. I will here mention something of which I was not accused to my mortification while in the agency. I never visited either a village, town or city, and was ob- liged to leave the place on account of having the landlord or landlady charge me with improper conduct; nor accuse me of entertaining gentlemen in the night-time in my private f apartment. I never accepted of an invitation from a gentleman, one of a committee of twelve men, to go the distance of a hun- dred miles or more, to visit any institution; nor heard it said after I visited a place that I was an imposter, by the inhabitants, and it would not do for me to come there again; or when money was contributed for the society by a passen- ger, retain it from the society because it was contributed on board of the cars ; nor have I been told I needed only to be a man to be shown the door; nor have I upon the wharves and public highways discourse to the old and young men about their origin, to obtain money from gentlemen who would give it to rid themselves of my importunity. I have practised no such arts of putting men to the blush for their money. Neither have I gratified a man by being closeted with him two or three hours a day regularly ; nor took unlawful liberties with my neighbors in their absence ; nor presented 123 myself at a stranger's tea-table in an insulting manner. Had such have been my practices, then with propriety I might have been most faithfuUy posted, and I would have submit- ted to the rebuke in silence. Had I been guilty of such gross misconduct, it would have been a disgrace to have put my name beside the respectable ones of Mrs. Lyman Beecher and Mrs. Ide. I will relate here my objections in negotiating with a man who figures for a gentleman and is an officer of the college. In my first engagement I was to receive fifty per cent, on all I collected. I solicited from August to December, 1849. I then told Mr. Gregory I should prefer to give up the con- tract, for people were so slow to contribute, the receipts would not pay my necessary expenses; but he was reluctant to have me do so, and assured me if it took all I collected to defray them, I must continue in the agency. Now he de- nies it. On the 22d of December, he wished me to make an effort to obtain women to attend the school, and offered me a com- mission of five dollars on each. When reminded of it, he promptly denied this also. When I took the house he said if I would take it, if there was anything to be made out of it, I ought to make it; but when there was an opportunity presented, he steps forward to secure the privilege himself; and if I wiU let them do so, it would give me a chance to pay the expenses for them to improve. He then makes the engagements in his contract of let- ting the house, the intelligence department was for that person's benefit, who would occupy the premises. He after- wards withholds that from the tenant. He does not approve of Dr Rolfe's taking the house. The effect would be inau- spicious to the cause. He discloses to me the character of Dr R , but requested me to say nothing about it, for it would 124 do the cause an injury; that they should employ him no lon- ger than another could be had to take his place. Then he insists upon having a room for the doctor, that they might have a sofa bedstead in it for the same person. But the lady declined letting them have it, as she had none to spare to be locked up and used by those with whom she was unacquaint- ed. Then the doctor said, I knew you would not get it. But I will — you see if I do not. On the 3d or 4th of February, two of the officers came to the house, and made an effort to get the landlady into the office alone with them, thinking probably they could say what they pleased with no interest on her part; but she sent word, if they wished to consult her they must call upon her, and they concluded to do so, rather than leave without see- ing her. They demanded a room, and said that they should take it, and that she must pay the water tax. But she told them she had taken the house on their own propositions, and should consent to no such thing. They took the room, but allowed no rent for it. Though instead of Dr. Rolfe and Miss Barney, it was occupied by Samuel Gregory and Anna Golding. He did not wish to have the women going over the house, because they were a common class, but because it was for- bidden, they obliged the tenant to give it up, and placed themselves the most unworthy of the whole class therein. She used to keep very late hours, and he, to sweU the amount against me, in behalf of the society's account, charges me with rent which had been paid and receipted for, and does not acknowledge the whole of the money I paid into the so- ciety. These are a few of the many objections to my con- tinuing my operations for the society. And it was far more creditable to myself and to every other person who valued truth, to dissolve all further association with such a capri- 125 cious board of managers of a corporation. Was this man a safe person to negotiate with in public or private, unless with those of his own character ? These facts might not have been all known to the defend- ants, though I think they were in part so, or they would not have shown so much reluctance in producing their evidence in court on the 12th of December, A. D., 1854. Mr. Choate said, They discharged her (meaning me,) quietly. And I say so too. So quietly that they had it not in their power to show the time, place or form of doing it; and I confess I think by this time they may think it was done a little too quietly for their own personal interest. If they could have proved even the time when they discharged me, I doubt if the case would have been disposed of in the maimer it was. One of the defendants had so much sympathy for me, that the evening after the disposition of my suit, he puts himself to the trouble of calling on some of my friends in order to convince them that they were laboring under a mistake if they thought the defendants were unwilling to settle. He said that it was my fault; that I was contrary, and would not adjust the matter, and that they had tried to settle, but I would not. The only way they ever tried was by calling on Dr. Waters and demanding the books from time to time, and threatening to advertise me on the 14th of May, 1851. They then had my note on the 26th; they proposed to give it to referees, and the reason I have given for not accepting in the preceding pages. Is it to be supposed that these gentlemen (for I sup- pose they considered themselves such,) would have thought me contrary if I had given to them the making of the two hundred dollars, paid all the expenses incurred upon my- self by taking the house, and quietly gone up into a little room in the upper story of the building, selected by the 126 cautious agent, and have silently acquiesced with S. E. Sewall, Esq's., demand for rent for another tenant, given up the books, letting the note remain in their hands till the end of two years, and then paid it when demanded, said nothing about the conduct of their proceedings in and about the house, nor of their agents' aspersions of my char- acter far and wide. But because I did deny such state- ments were true, and gave their true history, I was sharply reprimanded and criminally accused. I was not willing to affirm things to be just as these men of folly would have them to exist. The counsel forgot that he belonged to a profession that has been denounced in binding burdens upon the children of men too grievous to be borne, and that they themselves will not touch the burdens with one of their fingers. Dr. Waters called for me upon Mr. Sewall twice, to ascer- f tain whether there could not be some arrangement effected with him about the rent, and Gregory's proceedings at the house. But when Dr. W. called each time, as soon as he had told him his business the lawyer immediately took up a paper and commenced reading it, without regarding a sen- tence that the Doctor uttered. The Doctor said, after he / had called the last time, that he was disappointed in the man; that he was never treated so ungentlemanly in his life, as he was by Mr. S., and that he most decidedly would decline having any further personal conference with him. CHAPTER XII. I became responsible for the rent, and as a matter of con- venience, for a few days went to stop at the house, till a lady should come to take my place. She disappointed me, and I sought without success for others, as substitutes. Then as an accommodation for the officers, in behalf of the society, (as I then supposed,) took the house myself, much against my wishes, when every thing was completed for a perfect ascendancy. Because two hundred dollars more could be obtained, provided a cautious move could be made, his object was to place other individuals, entire strangers to the officers and to the cause, in possession of that which of right belonged to me, and which I had guaranteed and prepared at my own expense, care and labor; but because his cautious movements failed, and I would not countenance his craft and fraudulent policy, a letter disguisedly is sent to me, if possible to impeach my character, by connecting Gregory's name with it. In consequence of such ignoble conduct I declined all personal conference with Gregory. I then appealed to the President, Mr. Gilbert, at his Piano Forte Ware Rooms, but was denied a hearing. I then went to Mr. Jewett with the books, that he might be satisfied with my faithfulness, and he exhibited a desire that justice should be done. I then solicited a friend to take the house, with the approbation of the Directors, through Mr. Jewett. The deception practiced upon me had proved too much 128 for my strength after so laborious an undertaking, and I con- cluded to rest for a few weeks, not thinking but what I should still operate again in the agency. But during the month of November, the conduct of S. Gregory, and the manner the school was conducted discovered to me that I had been unprofitably employed, and that the cause was badly managed, and the first of December I made up my account, sent it in and desired a settlement, but was refused one. I waited till the latter part of the month, and pro- i posed an adjustment by giving the whole to referees, but that also was refused. The forepart of January, I took the book again of Dr. Waters, with intent to obtain the whole amount of the four hundred dollars, and hold it, in case I should be called upon for that amount, for I did not know but what they would oblige me to pay the same, but if they did give it up and settle the account against them, I should '. return the money to the individuals again. I made but a few calls, for every call I made was like uttering a false- hood. But what other course to pursue I knew not. On the last of the month the whole truth was revealed, the object was clearly seen, and my ears not being deceived, my understanding comprehended what I had been engaged in > the year past I discovered clearly that the cause was made obscure to promote a certain object. I then left the City, but was written to for a settlement, I returned and waited one month, but was advised not to institute any legal action. At the recommendation of some of my friends, I drew up a petition in my own behalf to obtain what was my due, and was likely to be demanded of me, rather than to act in the society's name, although it was my field by security, and no one had a right to it till that security was redeemed. That was the bargain when I gave it, and a bargain is a bar- gain if ever so foolishly made. Then they demanded 129 the books with threats of advertising me, because they could not make me believe I was obliged to abandon the field to them with my security in their possession ; and for the pur- pose of representing themselves as still respectable they reUnquish the note, and in the evening publish to the world a falsehood. A friend on reading it said I would insert in the papers under their notice, my own, denouncing them as a pack of liars. I replied that I should not regard it, for if I let them alone, they will do themselves and the society more harm than me, for " even-handed justice" would assur- edly hereafter, if it had not already so done, cause medi- tated evil to coil on my oppressors. I left the City shortly after. When I returned I received by the hand of Dr. Waters a letter that was written over six weeks after I left Boston, threatening me with a criminal prosecution. Then in February, fifty-two, another notice. I can find no name to give it, appeared in their thousands of reports to be circulated in the community that they were stiU in honorable existence, and that the only soil on their reputa- tion was caused by me, although I had not as it were spoken. a dozen words in connection with them during three months previous, having been absent from the city for that period, and all I wUnted was to forget the wrongs and injuries they inflicted upon me, and know just as little of them as possible. June twenty-eight, I was apprised of the February report, and in September, the seventeenth, I was again reminded of my discharge ; notwithstanding I had never invaded or tres- passed upon any of their rights. I have never known or been able to discover a reason why the defendants persecuted me with such rancor. I never have injured them. I have given only true statements of my connection with their society, and have spoken in better terms of them than the language employed about them by some of their own acquaintances daily. 17 130 I finally secured Mr. Hallett's services to settle if possi- ble, the difference between us, but his efforts proved inef- fectual. He then issued a writ against them, as they pre- tended that a legal course would be no otherwise than agree- able, in short it was desirable. To gratify them and give them a chance to prove their charges, I complied with their desire. But when the action was tried and put on trial these christian people failed to produce a witness against me, but the learned counsel for defence and director, regretted that they, the directors mouths were closed, yet immediately after he declared the directors were not acquainted with the plaintiff. If not acquainted with me what could they say of me ? And if they were sorry their mouths were closed I had the greater reason to regret that my mouth was closed also. I however, was wiUing to abide the judgment of my peers, the jury sworn to render in an impartial verdict without tak ing any of them one side during the recess, to tell them my story. I was ready to have the case decided against me, if the evidence was strong and truthful enough to justify that result. I claimed none of the defendant's pretended sym- pathy in my behalf. Though on learning the witnesses they had summoned I am in no wise surprised that they did not produce them, because the defendants knew that their testi- mony would justify, rather than condemn me. The point was this. The action came to a trial before a jury, with all the specifications the ingenuity of their counsel could bring against me. Instead of meeting however, this opportunity to prove the truth of their libel, if it were true, they evaded the matter, and thought to get rid of the deci- sion of twelve honest men, on the facts by setting up a spe- cial plea, that because they were a corporation they had a right to publish falsehoods about any persons who had been in their employment. 131 This was what their lawers called a privileged publication, that is, that being a corporation, they had a right, with impunity, to warn the public against their agents, and charge them falsely with fraud and dishonesty without being held accountable for the truth or falsehood of such charges. This is the law point upon which they took the case from the jury, upon the matter of the truth and carried it up to the whole court, upon the plea that the directors of this society were privileged to libel any person who has ever been in their employment. I do not pretend to know anything about the correctness of such law, and have no fault to find with judges or courts, but I only mention this in order to show that while I sought to put this matter to rest by truth alone, and was willing to abide by it—they choose to put in a special plea of their right to publish slander against a woman and go unpun- ished, not caring whether it was true or false, thus scat- tering arrows, firebrands and death, against the reputation of others, and when caUed to account, declare they were only in sport, or that they thought they were privileged to caution the public against any one they chose to sus- pect, whether with or without a just cause. The following article appeared in the Boston TraveUer on Saturday evening, two days subsequent to the postpone- ment of my suit for hbel in Court. This journal appears to be their organ, through which to influence the community in favor of the Society: they hence publish therein, all notices and special matter in relation to it. Their purpose in procuring its insertion on the evening in question, instead of the next day after the hearing, was doubtless to afford an opportunity to the religious patrons of that paper and others, to con it over at their leisure the following Sabbath ; causing them to pre-judge the case, and 132 thus bias them against the plaintiff. They knew it would have an extensive reading, and would neither be answered nor refuted till the following week; when they hoped it would be too late to eradicate the unfavorable impressions it had made in the public mind upon the justice of my suit against them. But I trust they were disappointed. This exparte statement of the result of the action was promptly responded to, by Mr. Hallett in Tuesday's paper, to which I call the reader's particular attention. It may be correct that falsehood may travel a continent over, in time that truth is preparing to pursue her foe ; but nevertheless she is mighty and will ultimately prevail. My counsel has admin- istered the proper rebuke to the defendants, and " Com- mended THE INGREDIENTS OF THEIR POISONED CHALICE TO THEIR OWN LIPS." LIBEL SUIT. The case of Helen M. Gassett, against Timothy Gilbert and others, former Directors of the Female Education So- ciety, has been before the Supreme Judicial Court this week : Judge Merrick presiding; B. F. Hallett for the Plaintiff, and Rufus Choate and Samuel E. Sewall for Defendants. , This is the case of which we spoke some two months since, and which was put over from the last term of the Court to the present. It seems the Plaintiff was formerly an agent of the So- ciety, and that the directors published, in one of their annual reports, a caution to the public, stating that she had been found by them unworthy of confidence and had been dismissed, but still continued to collect, &c. The Plaintiff contends that this was a libel, and claims damages in the sum of $5000. " On Thursday, the Defendants' Counsel made a motion 133 that the Plaintiff be non-suited, on the ground that she had failed to show that there was any evidence of malice ; that in making the publication the directors had merely per- formed their duty to the Society and to the public, and that therefore, it came under the designation of ^privileged com- munication." Mr. Choate remarked that they proposed this mode of disposing of the case, to save the Court, and the parties the time and expense of a protracted trial, and save the Defendants the painful necessity of proving the charges against the Plaintiff, which they were prepared to do by the testimony of thirty or forty witnesses. Thereupon the legal question, whether it was a privi- leged communication, and the question of fact, whether there was any malice or iU-will whatever on the part of Defendants were ably argued, and his honor, the Judge, decided to arrest the progress of the trial, and in view of the gravity of the question, to reserve its consideration for the whole Court. Then follows the answer : — ANSWER TO LIBEL CASE REPORT. Boston, Dec. 12th, 1849. To the Editors of the Boston Traveller : — In your paper of Saturday you have given a statement of the temporary disposition made of this cause by Judge Merrick in the Supreme Court, which is calculated to convey the implied acquiescence of the counsel of Mrs. Gassett, in the truth of the libellous charges against her, which is wholly unfounded. Thus you state, that the counsel for the defendants proposed a disposition of the case to save the defendants from the painful necessity of proving the charges against the plaintiff, which they were prepared to do; and then you leave it, as if the counsel for the defendants and the court had very 134 mercifully stopped the cause, to save Mrs. Gassett from the proofs of the Ubel. You omit to state that the counsel for Mrs. Gassett repelled this intimation, which was thrown out merely ad captandum, and not in the regular course of a legal argument addressed to the court; and that he gave as a reason why the evidence should now be heard, that Mrs. Gassett was ready with her witnesses in Court, some from Maine and New Hampshire, to prove the falsity of every allegation against her; and if the defendants had any confi- dence in their defence set up of the truth of the libel, they need only prove the truth, and that would be a full justifi- cation without any privileged question being raised as a point of law. The defendants did not adopt that course, so obviously the direct one to end the cause, if they could prove the truth of the libel, and adhered to the legal point of a privi- J leged communication. Upon this point the learned judge gave no opinion or an intimation of an opinion. He merely reserved the ques- tion on a report to be made by himself to the whole Court. In coming to the conclusion he said that the Court did not pass upon any question of fact. Nor did he intend to give any opinion as to the question of a privileged communica- tion. The only ground upon which he had come to the conclusion not to go on with the evidence in the present stage of the cause was, that a prehminary question of law had been raised, and by the provisions of the Revised Sta- tutes (which he then read, page 502,) " When any question of law shall arise, in any trial before the Court when held by one justice, he may reserve the same for consideration of the full Court, and shall report the case, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for a full understanding of the question." 135 In such case, he said, he deemed it the duty of the Court, where a question of importance in law was raised, to report that matter to the whole Court for its determination before the case was put to a Jury ; and this he should do in the present case, without deciding the question, and without any reference whatever to the falsity or truth of the allegations, and without any prejudice to the plaintiff or to either party, in this stage of the case. The preliminary disposition of this case, therefore, had nothing whatever to do with the giving out of the defend- ants' counsel that they would prove their charges by thirty or forty witnesses; or the repelling of that intimation by the counsel of Mrs. Gassett, who challenged the defendants to the proof, and put it, that they must be conscious they could not prove their charges, or they would attempt to do so, and thus make a perfect justification and end the case. No, sirs, the Plaintiff craves no such mercy at the hands of her assailants. If they can prove the truth of their libel, they wiU stand justified in a moral, as well as legal sense, and that issue of the falsehoods of those charges she has offered and stands ready to demonstrate in any trial. The result of the present disposition of the case is, that a single point of law, as to privilege, wiU go to the whole Court. If they decide that it was a privilege communica- tion, whether true or false, that will end the case. If oth- erwise, it wiU go to the jury for their verdict. Monday, June 25,1855. There appears in the Evening Traveller, quite an elabor- ate article upon the Female Medical profession, copied from the New York Tribune, and from it I wUl take but one paragraph. "The prosperous condition of this CoUege, mainly owing 136 to the Female Medical Education Society, which was formed Nov. 23, 1848, immediately after the commencement of the first term of the school for the express purpose of maintain- ing it. This Society organized itself on a popular plan, granting memberships with some privileges, to any person contributing one dollar annually, and life-memberships on completing the payment of twenty doUars. Commencing with six members, the number was increased to a thousand during the following year, and early in 1850 it petitioned the Legislature for incorporation. An act for this purpose was at first somewhat opposed in the Senate, but was passed without a dissenting voice in the House, and was approved by Gov. Briggs, April 30,1850. At the close of that year about $3,000 had been received from members and tuition, and expended. The total receipts of each succeeding year have averaged about $3,200, making $16,000 in all, which has been expended on the CoUege, &c. The present num- ber of life-members is 160, among whom are many of the most prominent ladies and gentlemen in Boston, and other parts of New England. The last published Ust of tannual members comprises some 1,500 names." According to the above statements they have received three thousand and two hundred dollars each year since the year A. D. fifty. But their reports do not say so. The amounts as given in them are as follows:— From Oct. fifty to fifty-one, - - - $3167.00 " " fifty-one to fifty-two, - - 3458.22 " " fifty-two to fifty-three, - - 3056.33 " " fifty-three to fifty-four, - - 3059.61 $12741.16 A trifling difference in these statistics of $3258.84. The reports acknowledge but twelve thousand seven hun- dred and fourteen doUars sixteen cents, and the above sixteen 137 thousand doUars. Is not here something incomprehensible to the reader ? especially to those persons who are seeking the truth of the society's statistics. Would not they infer from this account that the institution is munificently endowed with every faciUty for a complete education. Does it not also tend to encourage individuals of other States to aid in con- tributions, and to attend said school ? And a puff inserted as coming from some disinterested person through papers and magazines published in a neighboring State, and re- copied in a home journal, appears very plausible to persons less acquainted with these cautious movers than to others who have more knowledge of them. It mentions $16,000 received and expended on the Col- lege, &c. The interior of the College exhibits an appear- ance of having received much the less benefit of the $16,000 than the et ceteras. The popular plan, if popular, was not the organizing plan. The organizing plan was as I have given, in the foregoing pages. CONCLUSION. I have now ended the history and its results of my con- nection with the Society. I have given a plain and unvar- nished narrative of the causes that have involved me in dif- ficulty with the government of the corporation. I appeal to the impartial, charitable and intelligent judgment of my readers, upon the facts as I have detailed them, whether the conduct of the directors towards me appears to have been dictated by desire to advance the public good and sustain the cause of justice in a Christian temper, or whether it does not indicate a personal ill-wiU and even malice, to- gether with a design on their part to establish their credit in the community by destroying my own reputation ? There 138 was a time when I stood high in the esteem of the associa- tion, when its directors bestowed upon me their voluntary encomiums. What has produced the change ? What has turned their friendship into enmity ? What has caused them to hunt me down, and brand me as a felon through the press ? It is simply because I have held fast on to the sheet anchor of personal integrity. When I discovered the object of the leading director was not to advance the cause of true medical science, so much as to promote private pecu- niary gain, I refused to be their instrument in its accom- plishment. They then marshaled their hostile forces, and assailed me both with verbal and printed slander. The effect remains to be seen. I am at present unharmed. I have no fears of the future; nor do I in the least doubt — whatever may be the result of my case in Court—that the verdict of public opinion, composed of my countrymen and countrywomen, will ultimately be rendered in my favor. ERRATA. On page 14, line 19, read in either "town or city." " " " 20, " "fitted" instead of "filled." " 20, " 5, " "twenty pupils." ■« '« " 6, " "fifty-three and fifty-four." «« «« » n, " "But by the report issued March, 1865, they charged for extra expenses in obtaining pupils to come under the new legislative endowment, the last year." On page 22, line 5, read "left, to let Dr. L. know." •' 45, " 13, " "and he has so said to those of my friends he has con- versed." On page 56, 5th line from the bottom, read "and they were obtaining funds.' On page 56. last line, read "was this agent," instead of "why was this." On page 70, line 6, ("if they would vary") strike out "not." <« « " 7, read "though some persons have a way." " 107, " 19, " "Travelling, public lectures, and employment of agents, #733.08 For three years' expenses for lectuies, as near as can be computed, 2736.46 On page 109, last two lines, "For the year 1854, miscellaneous expenses, 86.63 The nearest we get at the miscellaneous expenses, 726.77 On page 111, line 15, read "conduct," not "conducted." " « « 21 and 22, read "incurred by the agent." CATEGORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE FEMALE MEDICAL COLLEGE, THE PEOPLE OF THE NEW ENGLAND STATES. BY HELEN M. GASSETT. BOSTON: PllINTED FOll THE AUTHOR, 1855. ;.tUUUi|iiU: ,i.1 Whh: