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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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359  

After much deliberation, with the advice of several judicious friends, I have formed my judgment on two important points -- that I ought not to be confined any longer to the daily instruction of a class, and that, in justice to an increasing family, I ought, in some way or other, to add to my present income.

360  

Whether, under these circumstances, the continuance of my connection with your institution will be consistent both with its true interests, and with the duties which I owe to myself, and to my family, is a question which I am free to confess I feel myself much at a loss to decide, until I am made more fully acquainted with the views of the directors, and also with those of my colleagues, on the various points involved in this communication.

361  

Other spheres of usefulness, of great importance, have been presented to my consideration and offers made to me, within a year or two past, more compatible with my health, and more productive, in a pecuniary point of view, than that which I now occupy; -- and as these have all related to the great department of education toward which both the efforts of my mind and the feelings of my heart have long been intensely directed, and in which the dearest interests of our common country are most deeply involved, I confess, that I have been often led to hesitate whether to such objects it might not become my duty to devote my future labors. In addition to this, so long as the other instructors retain the views that they have expressed to the committee, it is manifest that they can not consider the other services which the principal of the institution might render if released from the instruction of a class, of sufficient value to justify his being retained in his present station.

362  

Under these circumstances, is it not obvious to every mind possessed of any feelings of delicacy and of self-respect, that the continuance of my connection with the institution must be attended with much to depress any generous feelings of enterprise and usefulness?

363  

The general question at issue, is, I am aware, but matter of opinion. My colleagues may be in the right, and myself in the wrong. It maybe establishing an injurious precedent to release the principal from the daily instruction of a class; and should you, gentlemen, be of this opinion, I will submit most cheerfully to your decision; not disappointed, should it thus prove to be the will of Providence, in being permitted to resign a station of great responsibility, full of anxieties and cares, and to discharge the duties of which, as they ought to be discharged, demands no small portion of both bodily and mental labor. I will retire, in perfect good-will toward all parties; retaining a grateful recollection of the kindness and indulgence which I have experienced at your hands, and pledging myself, so far as any means or influence may be left to me, to do all that I can to promote the peace, the prosperity, and the happiness of the school.

364  

On the other hand, should you conclude that it is desirable still to continue me in your employment, as principal of the institution, in accordance with the views which I have stated, I must say, with the same frankness which I have endeavored to preserve throughout all this communication, that my decision with regard to the course of duty will depend, not merely on the nature and extent of the duties which may be assigned to me, but quite as much on the views and feelings which this may produce on the 'part of my colleagues.

365  

For it must be obvious to every one, that without harmony and confidence between the principal and his associates, his. own comfort, and of course his usefulness, must be greatly diminished; -- his health impaired by a constant series of anxieties, and thus, his efforts to promote the prosperity of the institution rendered, in a great degree, ineffectual.

366  

I am, gentlemen, with sentiments of esteem and respect,

367  

Your obedient servant,
T. H. GALLAUDET.

368  

This letter was not without its effect on the directors, and within a week after its presentation they voted to release Mr. Gallaudet from the duty of teaching a class for a year, with the evident intention of making the arrangement a permanent one. Not so ready, however, were the assistant instructors to do what might have retained their principal in his place. They had already expressed their view that he ought not to be excused from teaching. Not sustained in this by the board they entered into an earnest controversy as to the proper mode of governing the institution, insisting that this should be done by a faculty in which the principal should have little if any more authority than one of them. It will be remembered that in 1818 the experiment of governing the school by a faculty was made. This method proving unsatisfactory at that time was not continued. Two sets of proposed regulations were submitted to the directors, one by Mr. Gallaudet and one by his assistants.

369  

When it became evident after almost interminable correspondence that their suggestions did not command the approval of the directors, and when they found their course of conduct was actually driving Mr. Gallaudet to resign, the instructors undertook to withdraw much they had said, and expressed a disposition to acquiesce in the decision of the board and to give Mr. Gallaudet their support if he would remain.

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