A biographical memoir of Hugh Williamson, M.D., LL. D : delivered on the first of November, 1819, at the request of the New-York Historical Society / by David Hosack.

  • Hosack, David, 1769-1835.
Date:
1820
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A biographical memoir of Hugh Williamson, M.D., LL. D : delivered on the first of November, 1819, at the request of the New-York Historical Society / by David Hosack. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    these letters could not be considered in any wise as private ; but were as public as letters could be. To use the emphatic language of Dr. Franklin himself, I am constrained to enlarge this note by inserting the words of an Ameri- can writer, (Mr. Walsh,) whose just sentiments are enhanced by the elegant and classic language in which they are conveyed. The discussion of the merits of the petition before the Privy Council, took place on the 29th of January, 1774; Franklin was present, accom- panied by some few friends, and the lawyers employed for the colony. Mr. Weddcrburn, the Solicitor General of the Crown, appeared as counsel for Hutchinson and his accomplices; or, rather, q? the gladiator of the ministers, who had fixed upon this occasion for the prostration of the Ame- rican advocate, and had assembled a number of their friends to witness the edifying spectacle. Wedderburn gave himself little trouble about vindica- ting his nominal clients, but assailed the intended victim with the most op- probious charges, and the most vehement invective. He held him forth as < a thief and a murderer;' as 'having forfeited all the respect of societies and of men.' As he alternated his abuse with humorous sarcasms, the members of the council universally laughed aloud, and the retainers of the ministry joined in the chorus. Franklin betrayed not the least emotion ; he saw and heard with calm dignity; he only remarked to one of his lawyers, after the predetermined absolution of the culprits, that he was sincerely sorry to observe the lords of council behave so indecently, and to find < that the coarsest language could be grateful to the politest ear.' This scene is one which calls for national commemoration, by the pencil of a Trumbull. It overwhelms us with astonishment, when we reflect that the proper ques- tion for consideration, was no other than the solemn complaint and prayer of an important province ; that the man thus treated was the representative of that, and three other considerable provinces; the boast and idol of all the colonies, then in a state of fearful incalescence ; venerable for his age, his genius, his discoveries and writings as a philosopher and a moralist .