OF THE

               CITY  OF NEW-YORK.        %'*»


                                    'ten  ..*:..._^»
  The subscriber deems an explanation due to the Pro-
fession of New-York in relation to a matter that has re-
cently caused some remark.   The facts without comment
are all that  it is deemed necessary, for the present, to state
in  relation  to the difficulties  between Geneva Medical
College,  and  the Medical Department of the University
of the City of New-York, in Broadway, above  Bleecker-
street.
   " At a meeting of  the Medical  Faculty  of  Geneva
College, held in the College  Buildings, Geneva, on Sa-
turday, October  10th> 1846,  the  following  Preamble and
Resolutions were adopted:
   " Whereas, In the Circular published by the Medical
Department of the University of New-York, during the
Summer of 1846, the following passage occurs :
  "' The  facilities which the city of New-York presents for the study of
Practical Anatomy,  are well  known throughout the breadth of the land.
Her immense  population allows a large surplus of the materiel; and from
this surplus, Schools of Medicine, in  almost all parts of the country, have
mainly drawn their supplies, thus instituting a traffic  most dangerous to
the interests  of Practical  Anatomy.  The attention  of the municipal


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2
authorities has been drawn to the subject, and hereafter, it is understood,
the trade will be at an end, so far as the city of New-York is concerned.
The arrangements for providing the University with the necessary mate-
riel are perfect, and the students enjoy opportunities for the pursuit of Prac-
tical Anatomy second only to those offered  by the city of Paris.  The
materiel is not only abundant, but it is likewise extremely  cheap, and is
always furnished to the classes  promptly and without  fail,  as often as
may be required.'
  " And Whereas the above quotation would seem to im-
ply that the Mayor, and members of the Common Council
of the City of New-York, are parties to the procurement of
the dead bodies of  the poor of that city, for the purpose
of dissection in the University of New-York, and that their
influence  is  also used to inflict injury upon " Schools of
Medicine, in almost all parts of the country," by attempt-
ing to convey the impression that Medical Schools abroad
depend exclusively  upon  " supplies  from New-York:"
Therefore—
  Resolved, That as the laws of this State protect alike the
dead bodies of the poor as well as the  rich, therefore the
Professors of the University of New-York  have no more
right to them  than those  of any other Institution, or  indi-
vidual, in or out of  the State, and are subject to the  same
penalties  for their infringement."
  Here follows  a  series  of Resolutions expressing our
disbelief  in any participation of the "  Municipal Authori-
ties," and urging in strong  terms  our condemnation of
what we deemed an assumption  of power  and unprofes-
sional  conduct on the part of the  Medical Faculty^of the
University of New-York.
  After a correspondence with that Faculty, it is but just
to them  to say that the following communication, dated
November 9th, 1846, is perfectly satisfactory. 
3
               University  New- York, Nov. 9th,  1846.
To His Honor, the Mayor of the City of New-York.
   Sir :—The Medical Faculty of the University of New-
York, having learnt with regret  that a  misapprehension
exists in reference to a  paragraph contained in their last
Circular on the subject of Practical Anatomy, deem it due
to themselves and to the Municipal Authorities of the City
of New-York, to disclaim  any intention to hold out  in
that Circular the idea that those authorities, either directly
or indirectly, sanction the furnishing to them any facilities
whatever for the supply of material for the  purpose of
anatomical instruction.
   Having  further  learnt that the  Medical Faculty  of
Geneva  College  have taken  objection  to  the  paragraph
referred to, conceiving that  it  was intended  to convey the
idea that that College was  deficient  in the supply of ma-
terial for dissection ;  the Faculty of that University dis-
claim  any such intention, either  as respects that  or any
other medical institution ; and it affords  them pleasure to
be informed  by the Faculty of Geneva  College that the
supply of that institution  from " legitimate sources,"  is
ample.
   The Faculty of Geneva College,  without any previous
correspondence with the University Faculty, having pub-
lished resolutions of the most offensive character, to which
we would respectfully refer you, we  conceive (and we be-
lieve we shall be  sustained  by your honor,) that it is im-
possible for us to  make any explanation to Geneva  College
until those resolutions are withdrawn.  Then, it will give 
4
us pleasure to make the same explanation to them, that we
now do to your honor.
                  By order of the Faculty.
     (Signed,)                    Jno. W. DraAr,
                            Secretary of the Faculty.

  I do hereby certify the above to be a true copy.
                          A.  H. MICKLE, Mayor.
  New- York,  Uth Nov., 1846.

  In regard to the last paragraph of the above letter, the
Faculty of Geneva Medical College have only to say that,
having  expressed nothing in  the resolutions  which they
can properly retract,  they are quite  willing to leave the
difference of opinion between  them and the University on
that subject, to the candid judgment of the Profession.
  This brief exposition, it is hoped, will explain the nature
of the difficulty, and prevent hereafter a repetition of ag-
gressions upon the rights and  interests " of Schools  of
Medicine in almost all parts of the country."
                             Jas. Webster,
             Prof, of Anatomy,  Geneva Med. College-
     Carlton House,
New- York, Nov. Uth, 1846.