CORRESPONDENCE 
BETWEEN 
/ / ? 
MR. GRANVILLE SHARP PATTISON. 
-iMua 
AND 
DR. N. CHAPMAN. To have added certificates to the ensuing statement, 
would have rendered the publication inconveniently long. 
But with a view of guarding against inaccuracies, I sub- 
mitted the manuscript to each of the gentlemen whose names 
are introduced, and am authorised to say, that the aver- 
ments in every instance, are correct and true. CORRESPONDENCE, $c. 
IT seems to me proper, on several accounts, that the 
ensuing Correspondence should be laid before the public; 
and, in order to render the subject to which it relates, more 
intelligible, I shall add a few remarks. 
Baltimore, 12th October, 1820. 
Sir, 
When the slightest insinuation is thrown out against the 
character of a man of honour, it becomes his painful duty, 
to seek that redress, which us a gentleman he is intitled to 
demand, and no one, if he has injured another, can refuse. 
Since my arrival in this country, much has been done by 
certain individuals, to hurt my reputation; and I have fre- 
quently heard, but in a manner which prevented me seeking 
an explanation, that you had used great liberties in speaking 
of my character. As I am determined that no person shall, 
with impunity, couple my name either with a mean or dis- 
honourable action; my present object in addressing you, is 
to ascertain whether you have asserted, that you believe me 
ta be the author of an anonymous letter said to have been 
received by you last winter, and at present handing about in 
Philadelphia. 4 
That I may immediately know how to proceed in this af- 
fair, I have to request that you will answer this letter, (which, 
to prevent any mistake, shall be delivered into your hands 
by Dr. Eberle,) by return of post. 
I have the honour to be, 
Sir, your obedient servant, 
GRANVILLE SHARP PATTISON. 
For Dr. Chapmam, &c. &c. &c. 
Baltimore, 17th Oct. 1820. 
Sir, 
Mr. Pattison called on me last week for the purpose of 
getting me to accompany him to Philadelphia as his friend, 
to require of you an explanation of a report injurious to his 
character, which he had reason to believe had emanated 
from you. The exalted character, which I have ever enter- 
tained of you for honour and justice, induced me to advise 
him to write you the letter delivered into your own hands by 
Doctor Eberle on Friday evening—to which he has not yet 
received any answer. Unwilling that this affair should be 
brought to a disagreeable conclusion, I have again prevailed 
on Mr. Pattison to delay his departure to Philadelphia, un- 
til a reply to this is due, when I hope to receive from you 
such an answer as will enable me to make an arrangement, 
at once honourable and satisfactory to the parties concerned. 
I have the honour to be, 
Sir, your obedient servant, 
C. MACAULAY. 
Doctor N. Chapman. 
P. S. That this should come safe into your own hands, I 
have enclosed it to Doctor Eberle, with the request that he 
should deliver it without delay. C. M. 5 
Sir, 
In answer to your letter of the 17th inst. I have only to 
observe, that from various facts which have come to my 
knowledge, of the character and conduct of Mr. Pattison, 
as well in relation to the causes which compelled him to 
leave Scotland, as to events which have subsequently hap- 
pened, I have determined to hold no communication 
with him, by correspondence or otherwise. 
If any further proceedings on the part of Mr. P. should 
render it necessary, I shall take an opportunity, through the 
medium of the press, of assigning the reasons which have 
led me to this decision. 
I am, Sir, very respectfully 
Your obedient servant, 
To Dr. C. Macaulay, &c. N. CHAPMAN. 
Philadelphia, Oct. 19, 1820. 
In the course of the last winter, a series of anonymous 
letters were addressed to Dr. Physick and myself, of a very 
offensive nature. Circumstances led us to suspect, that if 
not written by Mr. Pattison, he was at least privy to their 
production. They were marked by Scotiscisms, had several 
phrases peculiar to the medical schools of Scotland', and aimed 
pat the object, which we well understood, was steadily pur- 
sued by himself and friends, of forcing Dr. Gibson and Dr. 
Horner out of their positions in our University, to make 
way for his own admission. That these letters, however, 
were circulated, or indeed shewn to any person, except 
to Dr. Dewees and Dr. Horner, I do deny.* The latter 
gentleman tells me, of which I was not aware, that he did 
speak of them unreservedly, as the probable production of 
Mr. Pattison, which imputation he caused to be communica- 
ted to hmy through the medium of his friends, with a mes- 
* One letter lately to Dr. £. M. Patterson. 6 
sage, that he was prepared to render him any redress 
which he might exact. 
In directing his interrogatory to this point alone, Mr. 
Pattison obviously hoped to evade a subject, on which he 
knew I had spoken often, and without disguise. To repel a 
charge preferred against Dr. Physick and myself, and which 
we learnt was most industriously propagated in Baltimore 
especially, of having brought him to this country, and after- 
wards, very wantonly persecuting him; I had on several oc- 
casions, distinctly declared, such allegations to be utterly 
false,—that, on the contrary, he was driven hither by an 
incensed public, in consequence of a most odious deed, 
hereafter to he explained,—and, that our reception and treat- 
ment of him were kind in the extreme, till he forfeited every 
claim to our notice, by the development of his character, and 
the particular reprehensibility of his conduct toward us. 
The history of his visit to the United States may be told in 
a few words. Early in November 1818, Mr. John Pattison, 
the brother, announces to him the vacancy in our school, by 
the death of Dr. Dorsey, with his advice to become a 
candidate for the chair. The intelligence is received late in 
December; he determines to do so, and letters of recommen- 
dation of this date, are procured and transmitted to Dr. 
Physick and myself, which were received on the 12th of 
April, and here commenced our knowledge of Mr. Gran- 
ville Pattison. 
He did not contemplate, at first, coming to this country. 
In March, however, Dr. Ure, of Glasgow, sues out and 
obtains a divorce from his wife, on the ground of an adulter- 
ous intercourse with Mr. Pattison. As must happen in every 
community which retains any sense of virtue, or the posi- 
tive obligations of religion, a clamour is raised against him, 
which, finding he could not resist, he repairs to London, 7 
lingers there a few weeks, and then embarks for this coun- 
try. 
What is the degree of Mr. Pattison’s guilt in this trans- 
action, I shall not take on myself to determine. This is now 
a matter between himself and his God. Documents, how- 
ever, which I have seen, prove that he was at the time, the 
colleague of Dr. Ure, in the Andersonian Institution—that 
he habitually visited in his family, one of the most respecta- 
ble in Glasgow, and that the transgression did not proceed 
from the temporary ascendency of passion over moral re- 
straint, but was lengthened out and aggravated by repeated 
assignations, &c. See. 
As stated, such I sincerely believe to be the cause of Mr. 
Pattison’s emigration. But this is denied, and he complains 
of being allured hither by the promises of Dr. Physick and 
myself. 
Where is the evidence of the fact? It is said to be con- 
tained in a letter from Dr. De wees, which I have never been 
able to see. But I learn from the author of it, that to the 
best of his recollection, it merely acquaints Mr. Pattison, 
that it is the opinion of two gentlemen, not designated by 
name, who are well qualified, to Judge, that whatever may 
be the weight of his credentials, he can not possibly succeed 
in his application, without being personally present, and, 
therefore, advises his coming. 
It is not pretended that the letter was written with my 
privity or consent. The fact is, I knew nothing even of its 
existence till seven or eight months subsequent to its date. 
Even allowing the reverse, it is still susceptible of proof, 
that it could not and did not supply the motive of Mr. Pat- 
tison’s removal. The date of the letter cannot be exactly 
ascertained. But I am assured by Dr. Dewees, that it must 
have been written very late in April, and therefore, in all 
probability, it was forwarded by the New-York packet of 8 
the 10th of May, the stated period for the sailing of these 
vessels, and I have one from Mr. Stirling of London of 
the 27th of the same month, in which the immediate em- 
barkation of Mr. Pattison for the United States is men- 
tioned. 
By the preceding statement, a train of reflections is sug- 
gested. Why, it will be asked, did not Mr. John Pattison 
call on Dr. Physick and myself, to ascertain how far such a 
communication was authorized?—what was the nature and 
degree of support we were prepared to afford, as well as 
the prospect of success in the proposed application for the 
professorship? Can it be presumed for a moment, that any 
man situated as Mr. Granville Pattison is described to 
have been at the time, triumphant as a teacher, prosperous as 
a practitioner, devoted to his country, surrounded by family 
and friends, would break such ties, and surrender up such 
certainties for an attainment so indefinite and precarious? 
Had, however, Dr. Physick and myself been inclined 
to promote Mr. Pattison’s election, we could not have 
done it. Two of the Trustees of our College, about the 
first of May, waited on Dr. Physick, who was still confined 
to his room by illness, to infonn him, that they had resolved 
to make an appointment, and that it was the opinion of a 
large majority of the Board, that the interest of the school 
imperatively required, he should be transferred to the Ana- 
tomical chair, in consequence of which strong representa- 
tion, he acquiesced, though very reluctantly, in the mea- 
sure. 
All the testimonials, however, in favour of Mr. Pattison, 
in our possession, had been laid before the trustees—he 
was caused regularly to be nominated,—and in every respect 
entire justice was done to his pretensions. 
Before his arrival, the election was over, of which he is 9 
apprised by Professor Hare, on his landing at New York— 
to whom, instead of expressing disappointment, or uttering 
a complaint, he remarks, that the main motive of his visit 
to this country was to see his brother and family, and that he 
should speedily return. Exactly the same language he holds 
to Dr. Physick, Dr. De wees, Dr. Horner, and myself on his 
reaching this city. Not a whisper of reproach escapes him, 
even at the subsequent period, when he found Dr. Physick 
and myself strenuously supporting Dr. Gibson in opposition 
to him for the chair of Surgery. On the contrary, he says 
to Dr. Physick, you have held out to me no promises, and 
therefore I have no claims on you. On this point I speak 
positively, and with the express authority of Dr. Physick. 
He further declares to us and many others, that he is 
very indifferent as to the event, meaning to go to London, 
where he has the most brilliant prospects of professional suc- 
cess, and solicits Dr. Horner to accompany him on an ex- 
cursion to Canada, whence he is to sail for England. 
The first intimation I had of his design to remain in this 
country, was given in a conference with me, on the expe- 
diency of his accepting on offer of 1500 dollars from the 
college of Lexington, to teach Anatomy. The offer is declin- 
ed, not however, till the appointment is formally made, and 
extracts from the whole of his letters of introduction, are 
published in the western papers. 
Now commences, the distinguished kindness, or as he is 
pleased to term it, the persecution of Dr. Physick and myself. 
The masquerade dress which hitherto had enveloped him, he 
throws off—approaches us in proper person, avows his pe- 
cuniary distresses,—unfolds his views,—and solicits our 
patronage. 
As the result of our best judgment, we discourage him 
from settling in Philadelphia—urge his return to London— 10 
or if determined to continue in America, to select Baltimore as 
a residence, having an opening both in the Medical School, 
and in the practice of Surgery, created by the removal of 
Dr. Gibson, and letters of introduction are solicited by me, 
from this gentleman for the purpose. But he decides other- 
wise—establishes himself in this city—and henceforward 
is introduced into business by Dr. Physick—consulted in 
some difficult cases—is invited by him to operate before 
an assemblage of medical men to display his skill—has a 
letter backed by our joint recommendation to the Trustees, 
to allow him accommodation for his Museum—we endea- 
vour to get him the privilege of lecturing in some apartment 
of the University,—and attend his introductory lecture, 
to manifest unequivocally to the students our friendly dis- 
position for the success of his course. 
Yet, ali this did not satisfy him, and in proportion as we 
conceded, was the increase of his demands. To be appoint- 
ed the adjunct of Dr. Physick, or to have physiology de- 
tached from me, and united with morbid and minute anato- 
my, as a separate professorship, was the sine qua non, the 
last of his very reasonable demands. 
It was in vain, we urged the inadmissibility of such ar- 
rangements—that they were improper in themselves—that 
the Trustees would never appoint so recent a foreigner to any 
place—that he must become a citizen—ratify his claims by 
longer residence and more intimate acquaintance—keep 
quiet—entangle himself with no medical party, engage 
in no dispute, and we would guarantee his ultimate suc- 
cess. 
After this, we had little intercourse with him. He seem- 
ed to be soured, gradually alienated himself from us, began 
a system of hostility to the school and personal detraction 11 
of the professors, and was as insolent in his general demean- 
or, as he had previously been humble, laudatory, and sub- 
missive. 
At this period, the letter of Dr. Dewees and the attend- 
ant accusations came forth, not manfully presented as a just 
grievance, calling for explanation and redress, but in vague 
and untangible rumors. Neither the one nor the other was 
previously signified to Dr. Physick or myself, or even the 
slightest dissatisfaction expressed. 
He had spoken of us at all times as his kindest benefactors, 
and so late as the evening on which he delivered his introduc- 
tory lecture, the first of November, he took me by the hand, 
in the presence of Dr. Dewees, and several other gentlemen, 
and thanked me, and through me Dr. Physick, for our liberal 
and magnanimous conduct towards him. 
In a short time his character was pretty well evolved, 
and we could not forbear to inquire into the validity of the 
grounds on which our early prepossessions rested. It ap- 
peared, in the first place, that the account which he had 
given us of the affair with Mrs. Ure, was so much distort- 
ed, as hardly to retain any of the facts. As this, however, is 
a matter of leading importance, I shall be more precise. 
Mr. Pattison, on hearing that the story of his amour had 
reached Philadelphia, convened Dr. Physick, Dr. Dewees, 
and myself, for the purpose of reading to us an elaborate 
printed pamphlet, containing his defence, on the conclusion 
of which, he requested, that if convinced of his innocence, 
we would give him a certificate to that effect. Though pro- 
bably none of us doubted it—such was our confidence in the 
veracity of his statements, supported by the respectability 
of his recommendations—we declined doing it, and advised 
his submitting the case to Mr. Binney or some other emi- 12 
nent legal character, for an opinion, as calculated to produce 
a much stronger effect on the public mind. 
Not long afterwards he telh me, with much apparent sa- 
tisfaction, that Mr. Binney had decided in his favour, and 
requested me to communicate it to Dr. Physick, which I 
accordingly did. Being widely diffused, this report served 
very much to repress the force of the accusation, and was 
only contradicted a month or two ago, by a declaration 
from Mr. Binney to me, that he had never been at all con- 
sulted in the case. He had previously told Dr. Physick, 
that Mr. Chauncey had delivered a similar opinion. Whe- 
ther it be true, I am unable to ascertain. Mr. Chauncey 
having recently been professionally consulted by Mr. Pat- 
tison, considerations of delicacy forbid any application to 
him on the subject. 
Nor is this the only deception which he practised. A let- 
ter declared by him to be from Dr. Ure to his wife, was 
read to us, to demonstrate the iniquity of their character, of 
a description so detestably obscene, that I dare not cite even 
a single passage, or allude more distinctly to its contents. 
This letter, I have since understood, was not exhibited on 
the trial, makes no part of the record, and the presumption 
is strong, and more particularly as it proves to be anony- 
mous, that it is a mere fabrication. 
What is the precise standing of Dr. Ure in Glasgow, or 
how it was affected by this public event, I have no means 
of accuratelv determining. But it is not true, as averred by 
Mr. Pattison, that covered with disgrace, he was expelled 
from the city. 1 find from the periodical journals, that he 
continues to be in full communion with the scientific men 
abroad—retains his professorship—and that within the pre- 
sent year, he was honoured by the attendance of a large 
ci lit ction of the most eminent citizens at a lecture in which 
he displayed his splendid experiments in galvanism. 13 
That nothing appeared to his prejudice on the memo- 
rable trial, we have a right to infer from the fact of the di- 
vorce having been granted, as it is the established practice 
of the British courts of law, to withhold such relief, where 
the parties are equally culpable. Even Majesty itself, we 
have recently seen, has been compelled to yield to this im- 
perative dictate of justice, and inexorable usage. 
Though not directly connected with my subject, it is per- 
haps right, that I should say a word or two in reference to 
Mr. Pattison’s boasted discovery, since my game has, and 
will probably be still more, brought into discussion. Two 
or three months ago, I gave to Dr. Gibson a certificate, 
stating that Mr. Pattison had acknowledged to me his fa- 
miliar acquaintance with Colies’ book, and that the fascia 
therein described differed essentially from the one claimed 
by himself, as he would show when he entered on his dis- 
sections. 
At this, I understand, he was greatly provoked, and has 
accused me of misrepresentation. In reply, I will repeat, 
that I have a most distinct recollection of the fact, having 
often mentioned it, and that 1 am borne out by the testimo- 
ny of Dr. Hays and Dr. Edward Barton, who heard him, 
on another occasion, avow his having read the book previ- 
ously to his coming to this country. 
There is, however, some circumstantial proof, which, 
while it sustains me, convicts him of a deliberate attempt in 
another instance to impose on us, and through us, the medi- 
cal public of this country. 
That he claimed the discovery of the fascia when he first 
arrived among us, and has been compelled to relinquishjit 
to Mr. Colies is not denied. 
Can it be credited, that any man in the position of Mr. 
Pattison, supposing himself the author of a discovery curi- 14 
ous in itself, and of the highest practical import, for such 
he has proclaimed it, would not have consulted, and even 
diligently scrutinized all the authorities on the subject, and 
particularly the treatise of an eminent professor in a 
neighbouring college, on the very structure involving it? 
Why, too, was it not published in Europe? Certainly he 
has shown none of that sensibility which diffidently shrinks 
from the press. Nor can we refrain from inquiring why the 
great European anatomists, Mr. Cooper, and Dr. Thomp- 
son, and Dr. Barclay, before whom he tells us he made 
the demonstration, and received an explicit recognition of 
his title to the discovery, have not alluded to it in their 
letters of introduction? Would they, I finally demand, 
have omitted so important an incident in the estimate of his 
character and pretensions? At all events Mr. Pattison is 
hung on the horns of a dilemma from which he cannot ex- 
tricate himself. Conceding that Cooper, and Barclay, and 
Thompson and Dupuytren did really confess the fascia to 
be a structure, prior to the illustration of Mr. Pattison, un- 
known to them, what becomes of the charge of ignorance 
which he has arrogantly caat on Dr. Physick and the rest 
of the anatomists of this country relative to the subject? 
The character and conduct, of Mr. Pattison, I have now, 
perhaps, placed in sufficient relief before the public. It may 
possibly be asked, how Dr. Physick and myself came to 
countenance an individual of this description. The answer 
is plain, and can be given in one word. Confiding in the re- 
commendatory letters of our friends, and his own plausible 
statements, we believed him guiltless of the imputed charges 
and considered him, as doubtless many very honest peo- 
ple in Baltimore now do, cruelly persecuted. 
It is only within a short period I have discovered, that 
the whole of the letters from Scotland, to Dr. Physick and 15 
myself, are off date anterior to the criminal affair; and still 
more recently, I have had reasons to believe, that the writers 
of some of those letters have expressed their regret at giv- 
ing them to a person who had proved so unworthy. Certain 
it is, and I make the statement, on the authority of two 
most respectable men who have lately returned from Glas- 
gow, that Mr. Pattison is generally condemned in that city, 
and that it was spoken of every where, as a matter of as- 
tonishment, that he should have been so readily received 
into the society of this country. 
The object of this address I hope will not be misunder- 
stood. It is not to vindicate the alleged refusal to meet Mr. 
Pattison. Even if I had received a formal challenge, which 
I never alid, as appears from the correspondence, and how- 
ever pure his character might have been, I should have at once, 
declined it. The disparity of our age, the inequality of our 
condition in society, the claims of a numerous family, and the 
obligation imposed by my public station, must have dictated 
this decision. It really would seem to me, under any circum- 
stances, not quite fit to have introduced my course of lectures, 
with the spectacle of a duel. The parents and friends of the 
several hundred young men confided to our care, require of 
us very different things; and assuredly, had I yielded on this 
occasion, I should have had to encounter the heaviest cen- 
sure, and perhaps a more decisive step from those discreet 
and elevated men, under whom I have the honour to hold my 
appointment. With Mr. Pattison it is entirely different. He 
is an adventurer with a tainted reputation, which he hoped 
to repair. What has he to lose? and to ruin the happiness of 
a family, we have already seen is one of his sports. Yet 
from his manner of receiving Dr. Horner’s communication, 
there would appear to be some method in his madness, and 
Bobadil like, he displays his valour only, where there is no 
possibility of danger. 16 
I have now done with Mr. Pattison. OWhc public, I 
sincerely beg pardon for obtruding on them such a commu- 
nication. An appeal of this sort, I sensibly feel is most de- 
rogatory and I have long avoided it. Perhaps it was now un- 
necessary. Encouraged however, by our forbearance, there 
seemed to be no end to the calumnies and misrepresenta- 
tions, raised by Mr. Pattison and his auxiliaries, at the ex- 
pence of Dr. Physick and myself. As a private individual, 
we knew his insignificance, and despised his malicious en- 
deavours. Elevated however as he is, to a most respectable 
station, and sustained by tht influence which it confers, it 
was thought, that he had acquired some importance, and that 
the public mind should be enlightened as to his character 
and machinations. N. CHAPMAN. 
Philadelphia, Nov. 5, 1820. 
P. S. It would really seem impossible for Mr. Pattison, 
on any occasion, to adhere to the truth. An impression has 
gone abroad, and is now made the subject of a paragraph in 
the Baltimore papers—doubtless originating with, or sanc- 
tioned by him—that the prosecution against him for send- 
ing the alleged challenge, was instigated by myselt and some 
others of our medical faculty, with the hope of detaining him 
here, to the injury of the school to which he belongs. 
Twice did Mr. Biddle in open court, and once to Mr. 
Chauncey, in the presence of Mr. Pattison declare, that the 
prosecution was his own act, in which I or others had no 
concern, directly or indirectly, and for which he assumed 
the entire responsibility. Nor is Mr. Pattison ignorant, that 
when Mr. S. F. Bradford, with the best intentions, volunta- 
rily called on me, on the night of the arrest, to ask mv in- 
terference for the suppression of the legal proceeding, I at 
once expressed my willingness to do so, if any mode could be 
pointed out to effect it, and that I gave assurance at the same 
time, in the event of the conviction of Mr. Pattison, I would 
instantly in person apply to the executive for his pardon.