MEMORIAL TO SIR GEORGE GREY, BART. 249 
rialists most respectfully, but at the same time with the utmost 
energy, solemnly protest. In the name of justice on the part of 
the veterinary profession, they humbly submit to you their deter- 
mination to resist it. 
Before it was openly attempted to create an inquisitorial assembly 
which was to deprive a body of meritorious individuals of freedom 
of action, take from them all liberty of management over their 
own affairs, and reduce an honourable ^profession to a state of moral 
and actual bondage, some case of flagrant wrong, calling for the 
interference of the State, ought to have been established. None, 
however, has been made out. No accusation that could be main- 
tained has been brought forward. The complaint is selfish, and 
the demand founded upon it preposterous. Nothing has been 
adduced warranting the destruction of existing rights, or sanction- 
ing the revocation of an established Charter. 
Your Memorialists do not believe that you, Honourable Sir, 
seriously entertain the proposal which you have been petitioned to 
recommend to the approval of the Crown. They will not credit that 
any member of the British Government, much less a gentleman 
honourably distinguished by the liberality of his opinion, could be 
induced to propose to Her Majesty the creation of an unenglish, 
unheard of, and unnecessary despotism. 
Your Memorialists, relying confidently on the high sense of 
justice which nobly characterizes the British ministry, humbly 
submit to you that the present Charter was by the Veterinary 
Profession obtained at no inconsiderable expense. That charge 
the members of the veterinary profession have voluntarily liqui- 
dated. 
Your Memorialists boast not of their wealth. They are mem- 
bers of a profession poorly remunerated, but. anxious to excel. 
The cost of the present Charter was to your Memorialists a heavy 
responsibility ; but it has been honourably and cheerfully dis- 
charged : neither is the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons 
involved. The Council is steadily progressing. Their existence, 
however, is of but recent date. They are young in the exercise 
of duty, new to the cares of office, and have a profession to 
organize. Their situation is one worthy of consideration. They 
do not plead for favour — they ask only for justice ; and beg, that, 
while they are guilty of no wrong, they may be allowed to 
deliberate undisturbed. They pray that, acting under the sanction 
of Her Majesty, they may be protected from the selfish annoy- 
ance of persons who are greedy of distinction, and hungry after the 
fees of office. 
Your Memorialists complain that, since the establishment of the 
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the Council has been con- 
