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Life Of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet

Creator: Edward Miner Gallaudet (author)
Date: 1888
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company, New York
Source: Available at selected libraries
Figures From This Artifact: Figure 2

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14th, I called on Mr. Michael Gibbs, one of the sub-committee. Nothing had yet been done respecting my application.

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21st, After waiting a week, in hopes that I should hear from the sub-committee, I called again on Mr. Gibbs. He was not within. I left a note for him. I called again and found a note from him, in which he informed me that Mr. Townsend had two days before sent him my papers (meaning my credentials, such as Gov. Smith's, Gov. Goodrich's, Dr. Strong's, Dr. Green's of Princeton, certificates, which, by the way, so great is English caution towards foreigners, I have found absolutely necessary and almost indispensable) -- which he had sent to Dr. Watson. He also advised me to go with Mr. Townsend, who could attend to it in a day or two, to Dr. Watson's. I had been advised before by Mr. T. not to visit the school for the present. I immediately rode to Mr. Townsend's, who lives some distance from town, but did not find him at home. 24th, I received a note from Mr. Townsend, in which he said that on the 26th he would accompany me to Dr. Watson's.

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So on this day I had my first interview with the doctor. He started certain fears and difficulties on the subject of my admission, and I explained the nature of my object and views. I observed, at parting, that I wished for an answer to my application as soon as convenient, as my expenses were considerable and their increase was diminishing the fund in America for the relief of our unfortunate deaf and dumb. Dr. W. said he wished for a little time to consider the subject, and that after conferring with Mr. Gibbs, he would acquaint me with the result. On my return I called on Mr. Gibbs and was informed that he had left town and would not return till the ensuing week. 28th, I visited the school and had a short conversation with Dr. W., but nothing decisive transpired. 29th, I went to Mr. Townsend's and had some conversation with him on my business. He said he would do every thing in his power to serve me, that he would endeavor to see Mr. Gibbs immediately on his return and urge the importance of a speedy meeting of the sub-committee.

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31st, I again visited the school, and had some conversation with Dr. W. In the course of it, I inferred from what he said, that it would have been more correct for me (in his opinion), to have originally made my application to himself rather than to the committee, inasmuch as his engagement with them was simply to instruct the pupils of the school. But I acted by the advice of Mr. Townsend, the original founder of the institution and now one of the committee, and indeed, would it not have been indecorous in me to have gained an introduction to a public and charitable institution without first applying to those who have the management of it? Aug. 1st, I visited Mr. Townsend and also Mr. Gibbs, who said he would endeavor to have a meeting of the sub-committee held in two or three days. 3d, I called again on Mr. Gibbs, who said the sub-committee would meet the ensuing week. 5th, I had some conversation with Mr. Piper, one of the sub-committee. He expressed his wish to promote my views, but alluded to some difficulties that Dr. Watson had suggested, with fears that they might not be obviated. 7th, I had another interview of considerable length with Dr. W. I asked him if he could propose any plan by which he could give me the benefit of becoming acquainted with the theory and practice of his art. He replied, that he should rather wait to see the decision of the sub-committee. He again observed that the committee had no control over him any further than that he had engaged with them to instruct the deaf pupils who might be introduced into the school.

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10th, I left with Mr. Piper a paper of some length to be laid before the sub-committee, who were to meet this day at the City of London Tavern, accompanied with my credentials for their examination. In this paper I gave a succinct account of what had transpired before I left home with regard to the proposed institution at Hartford, and also stated my reasons for not being willing to assent to any proposal of carrying to America with me an instructor of the deaf and dumb from this country, or of pledging myself, at present, to continue with Dr. W. for a definite period of time, without first making trial of my capacities for improvement in his art. I concluded with respectfully asking the sub-committee, whether they could in any way assist me in the accomplishment of my object.

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11th, I received a note from Mr. Stephen Hough, chairman of the sub-committee, inclosing a copy of the report which they had concluded to make to the committee. It was as follows --

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"Resolved, That after mature deliberation, taking into view the due discipline of the institution and the proper time requisite to qualify an effective instructor of the deaf and dumb: The auditors, in conjunction with Dr. Watson, beg to recommend the committee to allow Mr. Gallaudet to be received into the school for one month upon liking, with the view that on the expiration of that period he shall be engaged as an assistant for three years on the usual terms, with power to Dr. Watson to release him from his engagement sooner, if it should appear that Mr. G. is qualified before the end of that time."

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