Memorial of the Faculty of the University to the Rector and Visiters, Touching the removal of the Medical Department to Richmond
[Charlottesville]: University of Virginia, 1867.
First Edition. Wraps. Stitched wraps. Approx. 9.5" x 6". 12 pages. Light toning to the untrimmed paper. Two hand written corrections in old ink made on pages 3 and 7. Scarce. Three copies of the 12 page April 1867 version found in OCLC. Good. Item #18432
The 4 authors of this Memorial lay forth their protest with the Virginia legislature regarding consolidation of the University of Virginia's Medical Department to the Medical Department of Richmond College. Their opening statement starts "The undersigned, professors in the Medical Department of the University, respectfully represent, that on the evening of the 13th March they were for the first time informed that a Bill to remove this department to Richmond and consolidate it with the Medical College now in operation at the seat of government, was under consideration by the Committee on Schools and Colleges, and that the vote would be taken on the following morning. It appears that the bill had been introduced before the Committee without the usual formality of a previous motion before the House, an that no notice of the movement had been given to any person officially charged with the administration of the University either as Professor or Visiter (Visitor)."
The writers react to the Legislature's use of a paper titled "Medicus" to make the case for consolidation of the two Medical Departments. From the writers, "This paper signed "Medicus" reproduces the statements and arguments, in almost the very words, of certain articles published during the winter of 1857-58, as part of the discussion which had been referred to, by Dr. David H. Tucker, then as now, one of the Professors in the Richmond school." The Professors at the University of Richmond claim "The Argument of "Medicus," starts with the assumption that the failure of Virginia to command the entire patronage of her own medical students, or to attract students from other States is due "mainly to the fact that she has within her limits two rival schools"".
The 4 Medical Doctors argument against consolidation are supported by 9 other University of Virginia Professors listed on page 12. Their statement of support is located on pages 10-12. The names and positions of the 9 undersigned Professors are as follows: W. E. Peters (Professor of Latin); B. L. Gildersleeve (Professor of Greek); M. Schele De Vere (Professor of Modern Languages); C. S. Venable (Professor of Mathematics); F. H. Smith (Professor of Natural Philosophy); W. H. McGuffey (Professor of Moral Philosophy); G. F. Holmes (Professor of History and Literature); J. B. Minor (Professor of Common and Statute Law); and S. O. Southall (Professor of Equity and Mercantile Law, &c.).
The consolidation of the two University Medical Departments appears to have never materialized.
Price: $125.00