Page:Early History of Medicine in Philadelphia - George W Norris.djvu/82

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The Early History of Medicine in Philadelphia.

advice, and by the General's permission, he afterwards waited upon that body in Philadelphia for an explanation of the resolves, and for further instructions. Upon presenting himself, Mr. Samuel Adams was deputed to receive him, and gave him to understand that complaints had been brought against him, and that the sufferings of the sick in Jersey, a department which Congress had, as has been just shown, placed under the sole control of another Director, were ascribed to him, with circumstances greatly reflecting on his humanity. These injurious charges Morgan indignantly denied, and entreated to be immediately introduced to the body in order to vindicate himself from them, and have his conduct tested by the strictest scrutiny. This, however, was refused him, that assembly being fully employed in urgent matters, a step which at this day will be the more readily pardoned, when we recollect the critical and alarming state of the country at that time; when, in fact, it seemed doubtful whether the recently assumed independence of the States could much longer be maintained.

Immediately after the interview with Mr. Adams, Congress was forced to retire to Maryland, and there he repeated his application through the same gentleman by letter, to which he

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