STATEMENT OF FACTS,
RELATIVE
TO THE APPOINTMENT OF THE AUTHOR TO THE
OFFICE OF
PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY,
IN
MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE,
AND THE
TERMINATION OF HIS CONNEXION WITH THAT
COLLEGE.
$19.5.10
BY GAMALIEL S. OLDS, A. M.
20.03.15
GREENFIELD:
PRINTED BY DENIO AND PHELPS.
60
Roou
2288

ASSOCIATION OF MINISTERS,
COUNTY OF FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS.
“ At a meeting of the FRANKLIN ASSOCIATION, at Conway, 13th
of May, 1818 ; the following question was proposed by the
Rev. Gamaliel s. Olds:
Is it proper and necessary for me, under existing circumstances,
to publish the facts relative to my appointment to the office of
Professor of Chemistry in Middlebury College, and the termina-
tion of my connexion with that College ?
To this question the following answer was given, viz:
A vague report, that the Rev. Mr. Olds is of an overbearing
character and disposition, appears to have been put in circulation.
This seems to have arisen from his intercourse with President
Davis and the Corporation of Middlebury College, in relation to
his office in that institution.
This unfavorable report is directly contrary to any traits of his
character, or steps of his conduct, either as a man, an officer in
Williams' College, or a minister of the gospel, which have come
to our knowledge.
Written and sufficient evidence is before us, that he has, months
ago, proposed to submit the whole matter of difference between
him, and President Davis and the Corporation of Middlebury Col-
lege, to disinterested men of christian character; and that they
have not complied with the proposal.
It is, therefore, the deliberate opinion of this Association, with-
out at all undertaking to decide the merits of the cause, that the
Rev. Mr. Olds, having the requisite documents in his hand, not
only may with propriety, but, on christian principles, really ought
to publish the undisguised facts in the case.
A true copy from the record-Attest,
MOSES MILLER, Scribe."

STATEMENT OF FACTS.
sen-
IT is very generally known, that the writer was appointed
Professor of Chemistry in Middlebury College, that he spent con-
siderable time at New-Haven to prepare himself for the office,
and, notwithstanding, that he did not eventually go to Middlebury.
It has undoubtedly appeared to many, that an explanation of the
case was demanded by a decent respect for public opinion. But
in his own view, the writer could not give a fair statement of the
case, without disclosing the faults of others; and he did not think
himself at liberty to do this, merely because it was consistent with
justice. He felt himself, therefore, under obligation to decline,
unless it should appear to be a necessary duty.
It has been the ardent desire of the writer to bring the matter
to an equitable termination, by a mode, evidently prescribed in the
word of God, for professed Christians. For this purpose, he wrote
to President Davis, requesting to submit the whole case to disin-
terested men of christian character. It appears, that the Dr. did
not answer the letter, till he had resigned the presidency at Mid-
dlebury College. He then replied, that the writer must be “
sible that he had no longer any connexion with Middlebury Col-
lege,” that he had acted as the agent' of the Corporation," and
that “the subject lay between the writer and then." In this man-
ner he declined. He stated, however, particularly, that “ he had
lately seen the Board together," and that “the letter was present-
ed to them.” But the Board, so far as appears, were not disposed
to comply with the request. Nor does there appear to be any
prospect, according to information since received, that either Dr.
Davis, or the Corporation of Middlebury College, will consent to
this fair and amicable method of adjusting the business.
The writer can appeal to those, with whom he has had inter-
course, to evince the circumspection with which he has treated
the subject. Though he could not avoid feeling himself greatly in-
jured, he was disposed to pass the matter, by mentioning some
general truth only, which implied no imputation either upon Dr.
Davis or the Corporation. And he would have considered it his
invariable duty to let the subject pass in this manner, from respect
for the institution and the gentlemen concerned, if the professed
friends of that institution had not themselves, by propagating mis-
representations of the case, compelled him to correct them.
The writer has abundant evidence, that not only misrepresenta-
tions of the case, but very unjustifiable imputations upon his char-
acter have been put into circulation. It appears that respectable
friends of the College have been so intent upon their object, that
even the particular friends of the writer, when they go into the
vicinity of Middlebury, are liable to be attacked upon his account.
If the writer has not been misinformed, they seem to be disposed

4
to verify the axion, that great and good men, when they fall inte
error, seldom know where to stop. They have labored, according
to the best information which has been received, to impress the
public mind with an idea, that the writer was, in some way, bad
enough to justify them in excluding him from his office, without so
much as the form of a trial.
Under these circumstances, the writer has been reduced to the
alternative, either to suffer the friends of Middlebury College,
through all their numerous points of contact with the public, to
fasten unfounded imputations upon him, or to attempt the refuta-
tion of them by a correct statement of the facts. He has not been
precipitate. He has not been disposed to adopt the latter part of
the alternative but with great reluctance. He has waited till all
reasonable prospect of procuring a mutual reference, which he
would much prefer, has entirely disappeared. He has taken the
advice not only of judicious christians, but of a highly respectable
association of ministers, in this vicinity. He trusts that he has
sincerely asked counsel of God. He has at length come to a satis-
factory conclusion, that it is his duty to appeal to the public.
So great indeed has been his regret, that he could not give a fair
statement of the case, without mentioning facts, which may imply
that others are not free from blame, that he has suspended any
publication upon the subject, till it has appeared, not only to him-
self, but to wise and disinterested men, to be demanded of him as
an imperious duty. He would gladly excuse himself still from the
unwelcome duty, if he could persuade himself, that he ought to
suffer imputations, calculated to injure his future usefulness, to be
fixed upon him, by suggestions and misrepresentations addressed
to the imagination and the passions; when, in his own opinion at
least, he possesses the means of removing them in the original cor-
respondence and documents.
It is the single object of the writer to vindicate himself, by a
correct statement of the facts in the case, from unjust imputations.
If he knows his own heart, he has no malevolent feeling towards
those who have injured him. If they have placed themselves in a
situation, which renders it impracticable to attain justice for the
injured, without stating facts, which they would wish to conceal ;
he hopes that they will have the magnanimity to forgive him, and
do him the justice to believe, that he as sincerely regrets the occa-
sion and the necessity as they possibly can. But he cannot per-
suade himself that the candid public will think, that he ought to
endure in silence not only considerable injury in his property, but
also in his reputation, till he shall incur from those, who have in-
jured him, the additional imputation, that he has no defence to of-
fer.
The appointment of the writer to the office of Professor of
Chemistry, in Middlebury College, was made at the Commence-
ment, in August, A. D. 1816. In the succeeding vacation, Dr. Da-
vis, then the President of the College, visited him in this place.

He stated to the Dr. that, though he had formerly paid some at-
tention to Chemistry, he should not consider himself qualified to
instruct, and deliver lectures, in that branch of science, without a
particular preparation for that purpose. The President, therefore,
agreed, as he was understood, that the writer should have a rea-
sonable time to prepare for the office, under the superintendence
of Professor Silliman, at New-Haven; that his salary should com-
mence from the date of his dismission from his people, to be paid
quarterly; and that he should receive remittances of his salary, as
it became due, to assist him in supporting himself and his family,
during his absence. On the other hand, to secure the President
and Corporation from any improper risque in the case, the writer
agreed to refund of the salary, accruing to him before he should
be ready to go to Middlebury, if he should resign, unless from ill
health, within five years, in the following proportion, to wit, if he
should resign within one year, to refund four fifths of that sum,
whatever it might be, if within two years, three fifths of the same,
and so on.
As it was not expected that the writer, by accepting the ap-
pointment, should give up the ministry, nor that a Council in this
vicinity would be willing to dismiss him, if provision were not
made for his continuance in it, the President likewise agreed, that
he should have a right to be absent on Saturday and Monday to
enable him to preach abroad, if he pleased, on the Sabbath
At the same time, in order to give the writer the proper securi-
ty in the business, the President
undertook to procure the ratifica-
tion of this arrangement by the Corporation in due form ; and this
was to be done, if practicable, before the writer should move for a
dismission from his people. He then proposed to the Dr. to re-
duce the terms specifically to writing immediately; but the Dr.
said, that it was wholly unnecessary, he understood them perfect-
ly, and thus prevented it.
The President, soon after his return to Middlebury, informed
the writer: “A meeting of the Board of Trust was holden last
evening. I stated the subject to them explicitly. Six of the
members only were present, and as seven are necessary to a quo-
rum, no resolutions could be past. This circumstance however
makes no difference. The opinions of the members in this vicinity,
respecting the pecuniary interests of the institution, uniformly
prevail with the Board.” He added expressly, “ As the expense
of instruction is for the benefit of the institution, they think it alto-
gether reasonable that your salary should commence with the date
of your dismission.” He manifestly wished the writer to proceed,
as if it had been resolved upon by a unanimous vote of the
Trustees.” As he passed through Berkshire County on his return,
where the writer has many friends, he mentioned particularly as
an inducement to accept the appointment; “Gentlemen in Wil-
liamstown, connected with the College there, and all others in
Berkshire County, who spoke of the subject, appeared to have no
66

6
doubt of your accepting it. Mr. Shepard* says, it is unquestiona-
bly your duty to accept of it.”
The writer was not insensible, that the opinion of the members
present would not legally bind the Corporation. But from the
President's representation, there did not appear to be any reason
to doubt, that the arrangement would be ratified, as he had engag-
ed it should be, the first opportunity. Nor would the circum-
stances well have permitted the writer to wait, till a legal ratifica-
tion could be obtained from Middlebury. Professor Silliman ex-
pected shortly to commence his lectures, and it was necessary
for
the writer to decide immediately, in order to enter seasonably
upon his preparation. A Council was, therefore, called, with the
concurrence of the church and society. As the people, over whom
the writer was settled, appeared to be determined to divide into
two parishes, in consequence of a dispute about the location of a
meeting-house, the Council took into consideration, on the one
hand," the doubtful prospects which his society presented,” and
on the other, the prospect of usefulness afforded by his appoint-
ment, and decided that it was “expedient that the pastoral rela-
tion be dissolved." This took place on the 31st of October, A. D.
1816. The writer signified to Dr. Davis, that he was at liberty to
accept the appointment, and went to New-Haven in November
following
The writer, soon after his arrival at New-Haven, received a
letter from Dr. Davis, in which he expressly stated in regard to
the salary, "you may rest in the assurance, that the Board will
ratify the commencement of your salary, from the time of your
dismission, upon the conditions specified,” that is (as the writer
understood the conditions) that the salary should be refunded, as
has been mentioned, in case of resignation, and that he should
have a reasonable time, on the other hand, to prepare for the office.
But in relation to the writer's request, that provision might be
made to send him remittances of his salary, the President said:
“With regard to remittances from our treasury, I would just re-
mark, that our treasury is at present entirely empty, and is likely
to remain so, 1 apprehend, for some time. If you can possibly
make your arrangements so, as to avoid calling on us until you
shall come on, it would be to us a great accommodation. Such is
the state of this country at present, that it is well nigh impossible
to obtain
money
for
any purpose."
The writer truly was somewhat surprised at this representation.
Before he accepted his appointment, the President had given
him pretty flattering accounts of the resources of the College. It
was but a short time, since he had engaged to send remittances to
aid the writer in supporting himself and his family. But now he
appeared disposed to plead off, on account of the scarcity of mo-
ney, and the present poverty of their treasury. The writer, it
* The Rev. Mr. Shepard of Lenox, a member of the Corpora-
tion of Williams' College.

7
seemed, must be left to rely exclusively upon his own resources,
at least for a considerable time, or abandon the object, for which
he was engaged. But at the same time, he had the confidence to
believe, that the President and Corporation would feel themselves
bound, by the most delicate honor, to make good an advance of
money upon
such an urgent request. He was encouraged too by
the President to expect, that their embarrassments would be
temporary," and that the prospects of the institution were bright-
ening.” He was likewise greatly interested in the prosperity of
the institution, and felt anxious to accommodate them as much
as possible. And though he did not think it expedient to relin-
quish his claim for remittances, he succeeded so as to afford them
the accommodation requested, and left his salary in their hands.
Dr. Davis proposed to the writer, “if practicable," to come to
Middlebury early in the spring. In the answer, the Dr. was in-
formed, that Mr. Silliman considered it necessary that the writer
should attend to mineralogy, and that this would require a longer
time. Afterwards, in a letter dated the 4th of April, 1817, the
President noticed that they had no particular occasion for instruc-
tion in Chemistry. “As I have remarked to you before," he ob-
served, “ little can be done in your professorship.” And it appear-
ed from the account which he gave, that they did not calculate to
make the professorship any object till the next year. But he
mentioned that one of the Tutors was going away, and wished the
writer to come to Middlebury“ by the last of the month.”
There was, however, an intrinsic difficulty in the case. Mr.
Silliman had already given his opinion to the writer decidedly,
that he ought“ by all means” to attend to mineralogy. It appear-
ed to that gentleman, that a competent knowledge of mineralogy
was indispensable to the success of a Professor of Chemistry. But
this it was impracticable for the writer to attain, unless he could
spend a part of the summer at New-Haven. It was of primary
importance for him to attend through Mr. Silliman's course of
lectures upon that subject. But this was not all. Mr. Silliman
could consistently afford the writer more personal assistance,
and superior opportunities, in the Cabinet of minerals, during the
latter, thar the former part of his course. Under these circum-
stances, it was contemplated to write to the President immediate-
ly, to ascertain whether there was any necessity of the writer's as-
sistance, which would in any degree justify the relinquishment of
so important an object. But, at this very time, Professor Hall ar-
rived in New-Haven directly from Middlebury. He informed the
writerin substance, that, though his assistance would be desirable,
there was no necessity of it; they could get along well enough
without him. The writer told Mr. Hall, that he thought then,
that it would be altogether best for him to stay, and go through the
course on mineralogy.
As Mr. Hall would return to Middlebury in a few days, there
appeared to be no reason to doubt, that the information, which he
would give upon the subject, would be entirely satisfactory. Af-

8.
ter an interview with a gentleman of Mr. Hall's standing in Mid-
dlebury College, it could hardly have been expected that any dif-
ficulty would arise, more than if the interview had been with the
President himself. At the same time, as the President had spared
no pains, in his early correspondence, to impress the mind of the
writer strongly with the liberal views, with which they intended
to introduce and establish the additional departments of science at
that College, it could not be reasonably questioned, that they
would wish him to prepare himself for the one assigned him, as
well as circumstances would possibly permit. Nor could it be
presumed, that the Dr. would think of insisting upon the writer's
relinquishing his preparation, for an object foreign to his appoint-
ment. It did not appear, neither, that there could be supposed to
be any comparison, between some occasional assistance in other
branches of instruction, and the due preparation of a Professor for
the permanent duties of his office. Add to this, that no time for
the writer to go to Middlebury had been agreed upon, for this par-
ticular reason, that it could not be ascertained beforehand what
time would be requisite for his preparation. Nor had he ever
thought that a few weeks would be deemed material, if he found
them necessary to his purpose. Under these circumstances, when
he had occasion to stay to complete the very design for which he
went to New-Haven, it could not be anticipated that the President
would not cordially acquiesce.
But to his surprise, the writer, on the 21st, received a letter dat-
ed the 3d of May, 1817, not long after Mr. Hall's return to Mid-
dlebury, in which the President appeared evidently to take the
ground that the writer had forfeited his claim; said, he could not
tell “ what the Corporation would do further than they had pledg-
ed themselves, he had no authority to pledge them;" asserted, that
" the fact was, that the writer "had already been absent much
longer than was expected, and was pursuing an object (mineralo-
gy) not necessarily connected with his professorship;" plainly
assumed, that the writer had thus violated the condition, upon
which" solely the Corporation had agreed that his salary should
be paid him during his absence,” and “should he not come on
immediately, it was doubtful whether the Corporation would be
willing to allow him his salary for the whole time.” The general
strain of the letter appeared to be bottomed upon the same ground,
or intended to enforce the same idea. It was written too but
three days after the time, to which the President had expressly
consented that the writer might be absent.
To the writer, this representation was as new as it was unac-
countable and astonishing. He knew not what to make of it. But
he could not possibly understand the meaning to be any thing less
than this, that the Corporation were no longer pledged to him,
that he had in fact forfeited his claim some time before, that it
would be a matter of forbearance only, if they should take no ad-
vantage of the past, but for the future he could not reasonably ex-
pect any indulgence, for if he did not come on immediately, a part

9
of his salary would probably be taken from him for the neglect.
This was the impression made upon the mind of the writer, and
he could not see that the letter was susceptible of any other inter-
pretation.
The reader, it may be presumed, will be little less surprised
than the writer at this extraordinary representation, when he un-
derstands, that, according to the President's own letters, the facts
were these; that the “ Corporation were willing that the writer
should have a reasonable time to prepare for the services of the of-
fice ;" that he knew that" Professor Silliman” (the gentleman, un-
der whose superintendence it was agreed that the writer should
place himself) " thought it important that the writer should attend
to mineralogy,” that he himself, when first written to upon the
subject," made no objection to the writer's attending to mineralo-
gy,” and accordingly“ they were informed by Professor Hall, that
the writer was attending to mineralogy;" that he did not pretend,
that they wanted the writer to instruct in Chemistry (the business,
to which he had been appointed); and that to “ hear a part of the
recitations of the Senior Class during his absence” (for two or
three weeks, as it has been said, in May or June) « and now and
then a recitation in Mathematics was all that they expected” of
the writer till the next year.
Now, according to the President's own statement of the facts,
when the Corporation did not wish to restrict the writer in his
preparation to any thing short of a “reasonable time,” when they
knew that he was attending to mineralogy upon the best authori-
ty, when his attention to this subject would not interfere with the
business of his professorship at Middlebury, and when the occa-
sional assistance, which was wanted there, was manifestly so un-
important, that to use Mr. Hall's words, they could get along well
enough without him ;-how did it come to pass, that the President
should undertake to make such a difficulty with him about attend-
ing to mineralogy ? And this was the more unaccountable, because
the President, in his letters to induce the writer to accept the ap-
pointment, had taken so much pains to impress his mind with the
idea, that “ the Board of Trust were a highly liberal and magnani-
mous set of men,” and that “it was their determination to make
the institution highly respectable, if practicable.” He must surely
have been sensible, that, in consequence of this, the writer would
feel a solicitude to qualify himself, if possible, in those things ne-
cessary to his professorship, so as not to disappoint too much the
expectation of such men, nor fall too far short of the design which
they had in view.
It was particularly contemplated in the agreement, that the en-
gagement to pay the writer his salary, from the date of his dismis-
sion from his people, should be ratified by the Corporation in due
form, as the very basis, upon which he should go to Middlebury.
The President had repeatedly promised that it should be done ;
but the fact was, it had not been done. From circumstances, this
fact appeared to be indubitable, at the time, when his extraordina-,
2

10
гу
letter of the Sd of May was under consideration. It has since
been reduced to a certainty by the records of the Board. It ap-
pears that no resolution to that effect was ever passed upon the
subject. The Board had retained in their hands, as a corporate
body, the right to reject the whole arrangement, and refuse to pay
the writer any thing upon the conditions stipulated. Notwith-
standing what the President said in this letter about the Corpora-
tion, it is now absolutely certain, that he meant nothing more than
the informal consultation of some of the members, in the first in-
stance, when he stated that there was not a quorum, and no reso-
lutions could be past. Thus it appears, that the Dr.undertook to
impute to the writer plainly a forfeiture of his claim, and to de
mand of him to come on immediately, or part of his salary would
probably be taken from him for the neglect ; whilst he did not him-
self condescend to pay any attention to his own neglect of the only
condition, upon which the writer was, according to the agreement,
under any obligation to go to Middlebury. In a word, he in this
manner demanded of the writer to come on, when he had not him-
self fulfilled the preliminary condition.
But as, from the agreement and the facts, it appeared to the
writer, that any imputation of a forfeiture on his part was entirely
unmerited, so, from the consequences to be apprehended from it,
it was utterly inadmissible. He felt himself, therefore, reduced to
the necessity of showing in his answer, of the 23d of May, that
there were no grounds, upon which such an imputation could be
sustained. At the same time, as there was no other possible way
to remove the unmerited imputation, and prevent the conse-
quences, he was, in his own view, absolutely compelled to state it
as indispensable, that the engagement to pay his salary from the
time of his dismission should be ratified, as the President had as-
sured him that it should be, and as he had every reason to expect
that it would have been long before. To secure the salary how-
ever,' as he afterwards stated to the President, was not the ob-
ject. If he had been informed, that the funds of the College would
not admit of continuing it, or that it was needed to employ a Tu-
tor in his absence, he would have given it up,' and would have pro-
vided for himself, for the time necessary to complete his prepara-
tion, without asking any remuneration. But it was the idea, that
part of his salary was liable to be taken from him under the impu-
tation of a forfeiture, which so forcibly struck his mind. This
was in his apprehension pregnant with the most serious conse-
quences. It was calculated to prevent his entrance upon
his
pro-
fessorship at Middlebury, with any prospect of satisfaction or suc-
In this view, he observed to the President, that, whilst he
was doing the best, that his health and circumstances would per-
mit, to prepare himself for the place, and at no inconsiderable ex-
pense, he should prefer to relinquish the whole, or no part of his
salary.' The mere loss of the whole salary was, in his view, mani-
festlý a less evil than to suffer the consequences, if part of it were
taken from him under the imputation of a forfeiture.
The President had been pleased, in his letter, to draw the mat-
cess.

ter into such an attitude, that it appeared to be impracticable to
come to a mutually good understanding upon the subject, without
a particular attention to the agreement and the facts. But as the
writer had no doubt, at the time he answered it, that the disposal
of the business was still in the President's hands, he did not par-
ticularly reflect upon any occasion, which he would have to lay the
answer before the Corporation. All, that he anticipated to be ne-
cessary, was, that the President would state to the Corporation,
that it was proper to give the writer the security, which had been
so long promised, concerning a matter, which a number of the
members had already decided personally to be " altogether reason-
able.” Hence he wrote, in consequence of his acquaintance with
the Dr. with greater freedom than he would have done to a corpo-
rate body, especially of strangers. Nor did he quote from the
Dr's letters the reasons particularly, upon which he founded his
observations in the answer, as he should have thought necessary, if
he had considered that it would be laid before the Board. Nor
was it possible for him to avoid writing under an impression of
great surprise at the President's representation. He flattered him-
self
, however, that the Dr. would readily comprehend his meaning
and design, and be willing to come to a fair understanding of the
case. He could not relinquish the hope, that the President would
be satisfied of the propriety of procuring the ratification of the en-
gagement to pay the salary, according to the agreement; and he
was particularly careful to state the proposition concerning it, pre-
cisely in the sense, in which the Dr. had always stated it in his
own letters. The President wrote, however, on the 10th of June,
“I laid your communication before a quorum of the Corporation,
last evening. They instructed me unanimously to inform you,
that they cannot comply with your proposition.”
The writer found, by the Dr's answer, that his letter had not on-
ly been laid before the Corporation, but had also been very much
misconstrued. He thought it his duty, therefore, to write one, on the
27th of June, directed to Dr. Davis as President of the Corpora-
tion, with the express request that it might be laid before that body.
In this the writer made a particular apology for any inadvertent
expressions into which he had fallen, explained as precisely as
possible every thing, which appeared to have been misunderstood,
and placed the matter upon the most fair and honorable terns in
his power, that they might accede to the agreement. He enter-
tained a hope that all would unite in this, that it was proper to al-
low a man an opportunity to explain himself. He could not per-
suade himself, that a deliberative body would decide definitively
upon so important a question, before they were possessed of a fair
and full understanding of the subject.
But though the President has admitted that the letter was un-
exceptionable, and though the writer had done so much with a
view to benefit the institution, yet to this communication, written
on purpose to clear up the matter, they were not disposed, accord-
ing to the best information which has been received, to pay any
attention, either in their resolution, or in the representations,

12
which they have made of the case. The Board, as appears by the
Dr's answer of the 9th of July, 1817, persisted in their resolution
to refuse the writer the payment of his salary.
Thus, the writer, though he had been engaged by the President,
with the personal concurrence of several members of the Board, to
prepare himself for the office, and though he had left his salary in
their hands, at the special request of the President, to oblige them,
has been subjected to the loss of all the time and money, which he
has spent in their service, without any compensation. Such has
been the result of the arrangement, notwithstanding the President,
in his letter communicating the appointment, informed the writer
expressly, that it was the “maxim” of the Board, “Get men of
talents, and pay them well for their services.”
The writer has procured a copy of all the resolutions of the
Board of Trust, upon record, relative to the Professorship of Che-
mistry. By this it appears, that, though the President informed
the writer that a "quorum of the Corporation” refused to pay his
salary, they made no record of it ; but proceeded, at the Com-
mencement, in August, 1817, to assume as the reason for declaring
the office “ vacant” that“ the Rev. Gamaliel S. Olds has hitherto
neglected to enter upon the discharge of the duties of his office of
Professor of Chemistry.” But the writer must own, that he does
not precisely understand, with what propriety they could under-
take to say, that he had in this manner neglected; when he had
actually spent so much time to prepare for the office, agreeably to
the express desire of the President and a number of the members,
and when he had been prevented from going to Middlebury solely
by their refusal to pay his salary, and when the President had not
pretended, that they expected him to do any thing in his Professor-
ship till after that Commencement.
It likewise appears by the record, that, at the same Commence-
ment, the Board, in the first place,“ resolved, that the vote of this
Corporation, of the 22d of August, A. D. 1816, fixing the salary of
the Professor of Chemistry, be rescinded ;" and then, “Doct. Řeu-
ben D. Muzzy was accordingly appointed Professor of Chemistry.”
This, as the writer's correspondent has assured him, was the close
of the record “in relation to the Professorship of Chemistry.”
There was, it appears by the record, no provision whatever made
for the support of Doct. Muzzy. His was a nalced appointment.
Thus it will be seen, that the facts, in their connexion, have all the
same bearing. They not only refused to pay the writer the salary,
but proceeded soon to abolish the salary, and appoint a successor
without any.—They pretended, it is true, to be offended with the
writer.--And were they already so much offended with Doct.
Muzzy likewise, that they would not appoint him without abolish-
ing the salary? Or, was it a matter of policy at Middlebury, in
those days, to free themselves from the necessity of supporting the
Professorship, as had been contemplated, whilst they kept up in
the public view the appearance of maintaining it? The writer
will not undertake to determine, the public must decide.
It is no more than justice, however, to remark, that there does

13
not
appear,
from the President's letters, to be any reason to sup-
pose, that any but the members of the Corporation, in the immedi-
ate vicinity of the College, had any concern in refusing the pay-
ment of the writer's salary. Nor is there any reason to believe,
that the members, from a distance, who attended at the Com-
mencement, were particularly informed of the facts in the case, or
understood much concerning the secret of the policy, which led to
that refusal, and to the appointment of a successor without any
salary. It will be recollected, that the Dr. stated it as a general
fact, “ The opinions of the members in this vicinity, respecting the
pecuniary interests of the institution, uniformly prevail with the
Board." The members of the Board at Middlebury, it seems,
made such arrangements as they thought proper, and the other
members concurred in them, probably without much inquiry or
examination.
Nor would the writer be understood, that the members, in the
immediate vicinity of the College, adopted the policy which they
seem to have done, without an object. He is not so uncharitable
as to imagine, that they were disposed to make such an attack up-
on him. He will ask leave to explain himself. It is manifest by
the Dr's letters, that the funds of the College, as they stood upon
paper, might be so displayed as to make a good appearance. But
it is no less manifest, that the actual receipts into the treasury of
the College were extremely limited. It will be recollected, that,
soon after the writer's arrival at New Haven, the President stated,
that“ their treasury was entirely empty, and was likely to remain
so, he apprehended, for some time;" and that "it was well nigh
impossible to obtain money for any purpose.” A considerable
time afterwards, when the writer requested some appropriation to
procure some articles of chemical apparatus, the President an-
swered, on the 11th of March, “I am apprehensive the Board will
be able to make but a small, if any, appropriation for an apparatus
at present. Money is scarce among us at present, beyond all for-
mer example.” Nor does there now appear to be any reason to
question, that the President and other members of the Board in
the vicinity soon began to be apprehensive, that what they should
probably receive in future from the subscribtions to their funds,
would fall much short of the amount, which had been anticipated.
At the same time, as it has been understood, the Corporation
were under a necessity of taking upon themselves a great and un-
expected burden. Sometime after they had resolved to establish
a Chemical Professorship, whilst the writer was preparing at New-
Haven, Dr. Davis, as it is well known, was appointed to the Presi-
dency not only of Hamilton, but of Yale College. There is no
doubt that the Dr. was much inclined to accept the appointment
at Yale. But the Corporation were exceedingly anxious to retain
him, if possible, at Middlebury College. Hence, they undertook
to make such a provision for him, as would be a satisfactory in-
ducement to decline the appointment at Yale as well as Hamilton.
It has been stated to the writer by respectable gentlemen, whose
situation afforded them opportunity to be acquainted with the

facts, that the Corporation undertook to pay the Dr. 83000, within
seven years after the then next Commencement, and, if practica
ble, to pay up all the arrearages due to him, by the same Com-
mencement. The writer understood also, that they were to in-
crease the President's annual salary, but of this he would not be
too confident. He thinks, however, that he may rely upon the
preceding statement as not materially incorrect. In consequence
of this arrangement, the Dr. declined the proffered Presidency of
Yale College as well as Hamilton, early in March 1817.
It may be proper for the writer to observe, that he is not sure,
but some of the friends of the College agreed to assist the Corpora-
tion in this arrangement with the President. But it is manifest,
that what they agreed to do to secure the continuance of the Presi-
dent, would diminish, so much precisely, what they could afford
to do to build up the additional departments of science, establish-
ed at the preceding Commencement. Hence, it constituted a di-
rect drawback upon the resources, which it would be possible for
the Corporation to obtain for that purpose,
en their other re
sources were found to be inadequate.
The writer has been induced to state the embarrassment of the
funds, the necessity of paying the President his arrearages, if prac-
ticable,
at that critical time, and the unexpected burden assumed
by the Board to induce him to continue with them, as an apology
for the course of policy, which they adopted, to refuse one Profes-
sor the payment of his salary, and to appoint another without any
salary. The public will judge of the course of policy pursued in
this case, by the express quotations from the President's letters
and the records of the Board. It must likewise be left with the
public to judge how far the facts, which the writer has just stated
according to the best of his knowledge, will excuse that course of
policy. And it ought to be remembered, that this whole course of
policy was completed, before the Corporation knew that they were
to be relieved from the burden, which they had taken upon them-
selves in order to retain the President. It is well known, that the
Corporation, till sometime after the Commencement, when Doct,
Muzzy was appointed without any salary, expected that President
Davis would continue at Middlebury. And the public will see,
that, since they have received this relief, if they should find them-
selves able to reannex a salary to the Professorship of Chemistry,
it would make no difference in relation to the policy, in fact adopt-
ed before, nor the apology, which it is necessary to make for it.
The writer is aware that it has been pretended, that he wished
for more time than was reasonable to make his preparation.-But
the writer never asked, nor expected, more time than was neces-
sary to attend through one course of lectures, upon the subjects
indispensable to his preparation, and to provide for his removal
with his family to Middlebury. Was this unreasonable? The
Corporation of Yale College allowed Mr. Silliman, after his ap-
pointment, in addition to opportunity to read by himself what he
could to advantage, to spend two seasons at Philadelphia, and af.

15
terwards fifteen months in Europe, to make his preparation. This
is mentioned merely to show, by an analogous case, what a number
of gentlemen, who will not be considered altogether incompetent
to judge, have thought was not an unreasonable time for prepara-
tion. And it must be submitted to the public to decide, whether
it could, with propriety, be considered any thing unreasonable, if
the writer wished to spend one season at New Haven, for the same
purpose ; especially, when he had been called upon to prepare him-
self, if possible, to cooperate with "a highly liberal and magnani-
mous set of men,” whose “determination” it was “ to make the
institution highly respectable, if practicable.”
But it has been pretended, that a knowledge of mineralogy was
not necessary for the writer as Professor of Chemistry.-The wri-
ter is obliged to acknowledge, that he has ever been surprised that
the gentlemen should say this. Could it be seriously pretended,
that a tolerable acquaintance with the natural history, distinguish-
ing characters, and chemical composition of minerals, many of
which a Professor of Chemistry would have occasion to employ or
examine, was not necessary for him ? Professor Silliman says,
in
a letter addressed to the writer : “ The reasons, why I thought you
should by all means' attend to mineralogy, are such as are in my
view perfectly decisive. There is so intimate a connexion be-
tween chemistry and mineralogy, that no person can sustain a
respectable rank as a chemist, without being able to decide at sight,
or with some chemical examination, on the nature of any mineral
substance, which may be presented to him. The greater part of
the subjects of chemical experiment and examination are from the
mineral kingdom, and a lecturer on chemistry could neither retain,
nor even acquire the confidence of his pupils, without a competent
knowledge, I mean, a considerable knowledge of mineralogy." He
adds, “Situated as you were at New-Haven, I should have con-
sidered you as very culpable in neglecting mineralogy, and your
employers would, in my opirion, have had just cause for censuring
you, had you neglected it. These observations he makes, upon
the supposition explicitly, that mineralogy, as a distinct branch of
science, might be assigned to another Professor.
But it has been pretended, that the writer gave occasion for of-
fence, in his letter of the 23d of May, in answer to the President's
of the 3d of the same month.
The reader will recollect, that the letter was written in answer
to the Dr's extraordinary one, in which he was understood to im-
pute to the writer, to his great surprise, a forfeiture of his claim,
and to demand of him to come on immediately, or part of his sala-
ry would probably be taken from him for the neglect ; and all
this, notwithstanding he had not himself fulfilled the preliminary
condition. At the same time, it was manifest, by the Dr's reply,
that the occasion was taken from a misconstruction of the writer's
meaning. For this purpose, they even construed some part of the
letter in direct opposition to the express language. Thus, they
pretended, that the writer thought it an indignity to discharge
the functions of a Tutor, and so spoke disrespectfully of the offi-

16
cers, notwithstanding he had informed the President expressly, in
the very passage alluded to, that he should be willing to dis-
charge the functions of a Tutor, if circumstances would permit;
or as he immediately suggested, if it would not oblige him to re-
linquish his preparation as Professor of Chemistry. The end,
however, for which the topic was introduced, was simply to in-
quire, whether any imputation of a forfeiture could be sustained
upon this ground whether the President would say, that the wri-
ter had agreed to go to Middlebury for that purpose, and had for-
feited his claim, on that account ?" And this the President entirely
disclaimed.
The writer, as has been already mentioned, made, in his letter
intended for the Corporation, a particular apology for any inad-
vertent expressions into which he had fallen, and explained as
precisely as possible every thing, which appeared to have been
misunderstood. But to this, as there is good reason to believe,
they were not disposed to pay any attention. They calculated, it
appears, to make a different arrangement, and save the expense of
fulfilling the agreement with the writer.
The President said in his answer, “The Corporation,” that is,
the members in the immediate vicinity of the College,“ have to a
man the fullest conviction, that, as circumstances now are,” (ob-
serve) “as circumstances now are, your removal to this place would
not be conducive to the prosperity of the institution.” “ As cir-
cumstances then were,” it appears by the facts, they thought it
preferable to abolish the salary, and appoint a successor without
any. Hence the public are requested to determine, whether they
could pay any attention to the writer's letter, consistently with
their policy. If they were resolved not to pay the salary, would
they not naturally wish to make such an impression upon the pub-
lic mind, as would be calculated to excuse them, and cast the
blame
upon him ? And may it not be conceived, in perfect consist-
ency with the facts, that the more vague and intangible the im-
pression was, the better it would answer the purpose, because it
would give more play to the imagination, and be less susceptible
of refutation? To close the matter, the President said, “ The im-
pression” (which however he did not condescend to specify) “I am
confident, is not to be done away, either by arguments, or explana-
tions. Further discussion of the subject, therefore, would be use-
less. The public will see, that they were determined not to
hearken to any thing. Neither "arguments," nor "explanations,"
if the President was not mistaken, were of any use to this delibera-
tive body. And it may be asked, whether, “as circumstances
then were,” that is, when they thought, it seems, they could save
what was due to the writer, and appoint a successor without any
salary, they would suffer the impression to be done away, when it
would do away, at the same time, all the excuse, which they had
for excluding a Professor from his office, and refusing to pay him
his salary? But notwithstanding any impression, which they had
on their own minds, the President added, in behalf of himself and
the Corporation, "Be assured, Sir, that we have no disposition to

17
doubt, that you rest in the rectitude of your intentions, or that this to
you is no small consolation.”
The gentlemen, as the writer has been informed, never considered
his letters and the President's candidly together. The writer, how-
ever, has laid them before several individuals of christian character,
and the first respectability in this part of the country, and they say, with-
out one dissenting voice, that if the letters be taken together, the wri-
ter
gave no just occasion for offence, nor any just cause of complaint.
The President, in his letter of the 10th of June, pretended to take
an exception, because the writer had not fixed the time precisely,
when he should be at Middlebury; and even undertook to say, that
the writus might" think two or three years requisite and reasonable
for his preparation."
But this was certainly without any just foundation. For, it appears
from the Dr's own letter of the 3d of May, that he understood perfect-
ly well, that what the writer wanted, if he could be spared, was to at-
tend through the course of lectures on mineralogy ; and he must have
known from the nature of the thing that it would take a little time af-
terwards to prepare and remove with his family to Middlebury. It
appears from the same statement also, that he knew that the writer ex-
pected, notwithstanding, to be absent probably but a part of the summer.
The writer had proceeded upon the idea of going to Middlebury, if
there was any necessity of his assistance there, which would super-
sede the propriety of his continuing his preparation. It was for this
reason, that he stated to his friends, before Professor Hall came, as
Professor Silliman and others may probably recollect, that the time,
when he should go to Middlebury, depended upon the necessity of
his assistance there. And it will be recollected, that he had contin-
ued in New Haven after the time, which the President had proposed,
because he understood from Professor Hall, that he could be spared
well enough. Nor had he ever understood from what the President
had informed him, that it was intended that he should relinquish his
preparation in order to be at Middlebury by the 1st of May, till the
21st of that month, when he received the Dr's favor of the 3d. That ✓
the writer should go to Middlebury, at the time, and for the purpose
specified, was indeed, in his view, to be regarded by both parties, ac-
cording to the agreement, as a matter merely of accommodation. He
did not suppose that any forfeiture could be predicated upon the fact,
that he had not gone.
But still, in his answer of the 23d of May, the
difficulty was represented to consist in the consequences, to be ap-
prehended from the unmerited imputation of a forfeiture on his part,
and the uncertainty arising out of it, “ whether the Corporation would
be willing to allow him his salary for the whole time.” This difficulty
he stated to the President to be precisely the thing, which precluded
him from acceding to his demand to proceed to Middlebury immedi-
ately;" and he flattered himself that the Dr. would see upon candid
reflection," that it was proper that this difficulty should be removed.
It appeared, however, by the answer of the 10th of June, that the
President, instead of removing the difficulty, and preparing the way
for the writer to come, chose to make the incidental circumstance, that
V
S

18
the writer had not fixed the time precisely when he should be at Mid-
dlebury, a pretence for rejecting the arrangement. This was a new
expedient. It was indeed a critical circumstance, which, the writer
never understood before, was to be made a condition of ratifying the
agreement. They had hitherto neglected to ratify it, though the prom-
ise had been repeatedly made that it should be done, and now they
resolved to reject it upon this circumstance. But when the President
knew the time so nearly, as he admitted that he did, and when he said,
“ the Corporation were willing that the writer should have a reasona-
ble time to prepare,” why was the precise time made a matter of so
much consequence? But the writer was anxious, if possible, to remove
every exception. In his answer, of the 27th of June, intended for the
Corporation, he stated, as nearly as it could be done, that, upon sup-
position, he might be permitted to finish his preparation, he did not
expect to stay any time after the middle of the summer. Before the
Dr's letter of the 3d of May was received, the writer had never sup,
posed, that a few weeks would be considered material, because he had
never anticipated, that any design was formed to oblige him to go
to
Middlebury by the 1st of May, whether he were prepared, or not.
But afterwards, though he did not suppose, to be sure that they could
with propriety insist upon it according to the agreement, yet if they
had said, that it was necessary for him to give up his preparation,
nothing would have prevented his going to Middlebury immediately :
provided, they had been disposed to remove the strange and unex-
pected difficulty to prevent it, which had been created in his view, by
the unmerited imputation of a forfeiture of his claim, and by calling in
question "whether the Corporation would allow him his salary for the
whole time.”
The President inferred from a single unguarded expression, in the
writer's letter of the 23d of May, that he claimed an unlimited dis-
cretion in relation to the time. But this arose from a misapprehen-
sion of the writer's meaning. In his answer, designed for the Corpo
ration, he stated expressly, that it was not his intention to claim an
unlimited discretion, and explained precisely his meaning in the par-
agraph, from which the expression was taken. It was simply this,
that it would not be reasonable, in the opinion of the writer, to subject
him to a forfeiture, (admitting that he found occasion to employ in his
preparation some more time than they expected) when, both by the
agreement and the nature of the thing, it would be understood that he
was to have some discretion in the case.
Though the President did not pretend to question that he had
agreed, that the writer should have a right to be absent on Saturday
and Monday to enable him, if he pleased to preach abroad on the Sab-
bath, yet he seemed to be disposed to insinuate some exception to it.
In his letter of the 10th of June, he said, “ While the Corporation
have no objection to their Professors' supplying vacant churches in
the vicinity on the Sabbath, they do not deem it necessary or proper
to ratify, by a formal vote, your right to be absent from College three
days out of seven for this purpose.” The writer supposed, from the
particular conversation upon the subject, when the agreement was

19
made, that the President would be both able and willing to explain
this circumstance. But as it did not appear that he had done it, the
writer thought it expedient, in his letter intended for the Corporation,
to give the following explanation. You will probably recollect, Sir,
that when I made my proposals to you at Greenfield, it was a privi-
lege of no small importance, in my estimation, to be absent on Satur-
day and Monday to enable me to preach abroad, because I did not
think it consistent with my duty to relinquish my profession. Nei-
ther at that time, however, nor when I wrote you last, did I expect to
be absent, on those days, any longer than would be necessary for that
purpose. In my estimate, it amounted to no more than a part of two
days out of six. I did not apprehend, that my absence on the Sab-
bath would be supposed to interfere with my business at the College.
This, with what you further say, upon the same point, seems to imply
that I made the formal ratification of this right an indispensable con-
dition. But if you advert to my letter, Sir, you will see that this is a
mistake. I mentioned it merely to prevent any future misunder-
standing or dissatisfaction, and if it was so understood and admitted
as to answer this purpose, it was all that I wished.'
It has been pretended, that the writer expected to be appointed
Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, at Yale College,
in the place of Mr. Day.—But this surely requires no other notice
than a simple declaration of the fact that the writer had no expecta-
tion of it, and the pretence was, so far as he knows, without so much
as a shadow of reason.
The gentlemen, in their solicitude to find some kind of apology for
themselves, have endeavored to fasten an imputation upon the writer,
by pretending that he had some difficulty at Williams College, which
led to his resignation there. They have been so intent upon excus-
ing themselves, it seems that they have overlooked the impropriety of
making a matter an objection, after they appointed him, which, they
had declared by that very act, was in their view no objection before.
The writer has sufficient proof, that Dr. Davis, who was well acquaint-
ed with it, considered his conduct in that case, so far from being any
objection, that it was rather a recommendation to his appointment at
Middlebury. But the evil to be apprehended from the misrepresen-
tation at this late day, he is persuaded, will carry with it its own anti-
dote. And the intelligent public will readily see, as it may
be
pre-
sumed, that the gentlemen would have no occasion to resort to any
such foreign consideration, if they were not conscious that they could
not justify themselves upon the merits of the cause.
The writer is aware, that the advocates of President Davis and the
Corporation of Middlebury College, in relation to this business, bave
a great interest, and of course a strong temptation, to misrepresent his
conduct and character. Hence, he has not been surprised, that they
have pretended, that he expected an appointment at Yale, or had some
difficulty at Williams' College. Nor would it be surprising, if they
should attempt to represent his dismission from his people, though
agreeable to the express desire of the President and Corporation of
Middlebury College, and the unanimous voice of a venerable Ecclesi-

20
that they
astical Council, in some unfavorable light, if possible, so as to form some
sort of apology for the policy of the Board. The public will see,
have an interest to find something, if practicable, somewhere, however
innocent in itself, which may be so represented as to make at least an
apparent excuse. It is to be apprehended, that they will be disposed
to keep up the course of vague suggestion and misrepresentation, be-
cause it is their interest to do so. Nor will the public think it strange,
if they should endeavor, under these circumstances, to cast reproach
upon this statement of facts, and upon the author, in the Newspapers,
instead of making any attempt to furnish a fair answer. But if they
cannot explain the facts in the case, so as to make a fair answer,
when they have so much interest to do it, the candid and intelligent
public, it is presumed, will know how to appreciate, duly, the interest
they may take in pursuing a different course.
The writer requests permission to repeat his unfeigned regret, that
he has been reduced to the necessity of troubling the public upon this
subject. He wishes that he could have escaped from the painful du-
ty of stating unwelcome truths. But he is persuaded that the candid
public will see, that it had become indispensable in this case. He
has ever been, and still is, anxious to submit the whole matter to dis-
interested men of christian character. It is to him a subject of much
regret, that he could not obtain an adjustment of the business in this
fair and amicable way. If indeed the gentlemen could have been
satisfied to take his salary, without attempting at the same time to in-
jure his character, he would have submitted in silence. From the
deep interest, which he had cherished for the institution, he would
have endured without impatience, what he could not have forborne to
consider as injustice. Nor has he ever been reluctant to make all
the allowance, which candor and charity would require, for the ne-
cessity, under which the gentlemen appear to have acted in the busi-
He sincerely hopes, that what he has suffered, maybe so over-
ruled by the good providence of God, as to prevent any similar error
in the administration of the College, and the suffering of any other in-
dividual. He fervently prays, that the institution may become a
great and lasting blessing to the community. It has, by no means,
been his design to impeach in any manner the general character ei-
ther of President Davis, or any portion of the Corporation of Middle-
bury College. And if, as he cannot avoid believing, the gentlemen
have, in this particular instance, been overtaken with a fault, he would
devoutly pray God not to lay it to their charge. .
It has been the intention of the writer to state the facts in the case
with correctness and precision. If, however, he has inadvertently
fallen into any mistake, he wishes that it may be corrected. If he has,
though it must have been unintentional, made any remark, with any
degree of severity more than was necessary, he begs the public, and
particularly the gentlemen concerned, to forgive him.
GAMALIEL S. OLDS.
Greenfield, Franklin County, Mass. May 20th, A.D. 1818.
ness.
Pam olds, Gamaliel S. (Gamaliel Smith)
1818
OL
37285
[Harper