Page:Early History of Medicine in Philadelphia - George W Norris.djvu/83

 never received a reply. Resignation was intimated to him, by some, as the best means of quieting the clamours against him, and freeing himself from further trouble in the burdensome duties of the service, but this he spumed. The dark clouds which hung over the political horizon threatened the total destruction of our cause, and it was, in his opinion, no time for a retreat. He determined to stand by it during the then dangerous period, and prove by his actions the falsity of the charges made against him, and when that had passed, insist on an immediate hearing, or resign.

Accordingly, he a second time repaired to headquarters, but by a resolve of Congress received there, he was again directed to take charge of the sick on the east side of the Hudson. This order he obeyed, and pursued his business as though he had no cause of complaint, hoping for redress as soon as Congress should find leisure, and be in a situation to attend to it. He hastily prepared, however, and on February 1st, 1777, addressed a "Memorial" to the Commander-in-Chief, in which he set forth his manner of conducting the department of the General Hospital, and his actions from the time of his appointment, in the hope of obtaining a Court of Inquiry respecting his conduct; but on the very day after its