More facts, or a reply to a pamphlet [by J. Hodgson] entitled A state of facts, &c / [John Heysham].

  • John Heysham
Date:
1783
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: More facts, or a reply to a pamphlet [by J. Hodgson] entitled A state of facts, &c / [John Heysham]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    After a patient and attentive hearing, both of the accufer and the accufed, this was the folcmn decifion of fix rcfpc&able Gentlemen, whofe charafters are above the imputa- tion of being iwayed by any mean or ungenerous motives; it was a decifion fufiiciently flattciing to vie, and tho it is evident the Committee behaved with the utmofl tendernefs and delicacy towards my adverfary, in order to give him an opportunity of refigning with the lead poflible difgtace, yet fufiiciently mortifying to him; and if he had^been po fie fled of the lead degree of fenfibility he would have indantly refigned ; his refignation was what they expeeded ; the propriety, the necefiity of it was urged to him in the flrongefl and mod forcible manner, again and again, by his bed and iincered friend': All Mr. Mitchinfon’s arguments and intreaties were however in vain ; big with l:is own importance, and intent upon my ruin, he refolved to continue near me but as an open attack had not been attended with fuccefs, he changed his plan of operations, and now began to flab in the dark with more than ambiguous infinuations. Where ever he could gain attention he reprefented vie as a dangerous perfon, and tho’ ignorant in my profef- lion, yet artful, faithlcfs, and defigning. He was continually prying into the books of the Difpenfary, took partial extrads from them, and produced thefe as proofs of my incapacity, and even imputed to me fome trifling errors of another. To counteract thefe fuggedions I publilhed tliofe notes in the Obfervations on the Bills of Mortality, by which I told the world and him, “ Jam vides, me tibi non inimicum fed hofevt.” At the General Meeting of the Governors of the Difpenfary on the 2d of July the above refolution was read ; and the Governors, many of whom were now' acquainted with what had pafled in the Committee, thought a more general and public mark of their approbation was necefiary, accordingly it was unanimoufly refolved: “ That public thanks be given to Dr. Heyfitam at the Anniverfary Meeting, for his “ diligence and great attention to the patients recommended to his care*.” I now come to Friday the 22d of Augud, when “ A General Meeting of the Govcr- “ nors of the Carlifle Difpenfary was held in the Town Hall,” (to which General Meeting Mr. Hodgfon appealed) “ to enquire into the merits of fome difputes fubfiding “ between Dr. Hey (ham, and Mr. Hodgfon Surgeon to the Difpenfary.” The pro- ceedings of which it is my intention to relate. The Meeting was refpe&able not only on account of the number, but from the rank, the abilities, and integrity of the Members who compofed it. At this Meeting every charge againd me contained in the State of Fafts, and many others which Mr. Hodgfou has fince thought prudent to fupprefs, were fully and amply difeufled ; the fame per- fonages who now figure on paper upon oath, viz. Hugh Sutherland, Mary Sutherland, Wm. Cow’in, Dorothy Wright, and Mary Blackburn, were all aflembled in the Town Hall, and delivered their refpeefive evidence. Every favour, every indulgence, which my accufer had a right either to expeft or demand, was granted him, and if any partiality was (hewn it was a partiality towards him. He was full five hours in delivering his charges againd me, and it was very near ten o’clock at night before he had finifiicd. During the whole time he was heard, not only with patience and attention, but every Gentleman feemed anxious to invedigate the truth ; and when the poor fellow appeared unable to fum up his evidence it was ably and impartially done for him\. About * Minute Book, page 9. f He read all his charges and the queftions which he allied his witnefles.
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