Page:Early History of Medicine in Philadelphia - George W Norris.djvu/90

 He continued ardent in the cause of freedom, which he had among the foremost eagerly embraced, but would not rest under the base imputations cast upon his honour, and formally demanded of Congress a Court of Inquiry concerning his whole conduct while Director-General of the Medical Department, and this, though urged on with remarkable energy and perseverance, was from time to time postponed.

At the present day it may seem strange that so just and reasonable a request should long have been denied him, but it will not be so considered when we recall the then existing state of affairs, and the press of other more urgent matters upon Congress.

The country was in the extremest peril, and that body exercising, as it did during the whole course of the war, not only legislative, but also executive and judicial powers, was overburdened with affairs of more consequence than the hearing of complaints, however just. All business coming before it was performed by committees, and from this mode of proceeding, wise and patriotic though they were, yet action on important measures was often dilatory, and it may have been at times even affected by the prejudices or private resentments of some of those forming them.