Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/310

306 being delivered in the State House. 13 His courses proved to be the introductory to the larger scheme of Dr. Morgan which became the Medical School of the College and Academy of Philadelphia. Dr. Morgan had formed his plans maturely, and upon the counsel and advice of his friends abroad. He arrived home early in 1765, and at a Special Meeting of the Trustees called for 3 May, 1765, there attended among others both the Doctors Bond, Dr. Cadwalader, and Dr. Redman, now a Trustee and Morgan's old preceptor, when the following letter was read from the Proprietary. This letter, with its wise recommenda- tions seems the herald of the new Medical Department, in the account of which it may properly belong, yet it is so full of per- sonal references to the young Surgeon who had taken counsel with Governor Penn on the subject so near his heart, that it seems to belong in a sketch of his life. Gentlemen. Doctor Morgan has laid before me a Proposal for introducing new Pro- fessorships into the College for the Instruction of all such as shall incline to go into the Study and Practice of Physick and Surgery, as well as the several Occupations attending upon these necessary and useful Arts. He thinks his scheme, if patronized by the Trustees, will at present give Reputation and Strength to the Institution, and tho' it may for some Time occasion a small Expence, yet after a little while it will gradually support itself, and even make considerable additions to the Academy Funds. Dr Morgan has employed his Time in an assiduous Search after Knowledge, in all the Branches necessary for the Practice of his Profession, and has gained such Esteem and Love from Persons of the first Rank in it, that as they very much approve his Plan, they will, from Time to Time, as he assures us, give him their Countenance and Assistance in the Execution of it We are made acquainted with what is proposed to be taught, and his Lectures may be adopted by you, and since the like Systems have brought much Advantage to every Place where they have been received, and such Learned and eminent Men speak favorably of the Doctor's Plan, I could not but in the most kind manner recommend him to you, and desire that he may be well received, and what he has to offer be taken, with all becom- ing Respect and Expedition, into your most serious Consideration ; and if 13 See his announcement in the Pennsylvania Gazette II November, 1762, of beginning "a course of anatomical Lectures" on 18 November.