18 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 
More than three-fifths of the incorporators replied to this re- 
quest, and on March 18, 1863, Senator Wilson, having given 
consideration to the various dates suggested, selected April 22 
as the day, and the chapel of the University of the City of New 
York (now New York University) as the place for the meet- 
ing.** This meeting was called to order at 11 o’clock by Senator 
Wilson who delivered the following address: * 
ADDRESS OF THE Hon. HENRY WILSON 
Delivered at the opening of the first session of the Academy, April 22, 1863. 
“GENTLEMEN: I hold in my hand the Act, passed in the closing hours of the 
Thirty-seventh Congress, ‘To incorporate the National Academy of Sciences,’ In 
compliance with many kind requests I am here to call the corporators to order. 
In rising to perform this agreeable task, I crave for a moment your indulgence. 
“This Act, under which you have met to organize, incorporates in America, 
and for America, a National Institution, whose objects, ranging over the illimitable 
fields of science, are limited only by the wondrous capacities of the human intellect. 
Such an institution has been for years in the thought and on the tongue of the 
devotees of science, but its attainment seemed far in the future. Now it is an 
achieved fact. Our country has spoken it into being, in this ‘ dark and troubled 
night’ of its history, and commissioned you, gentlemen, to mould and fashion its 
organization, to infuse into it that vital and animating spirit that shall win in 
the boundless domains of science the glittering prizes of achievement that will 
gleam forever on the brow of the nation. 
“When, a few months ago, a gentleman whose name is known and honored 
in both hemispheres, expressed to me the desire that an Academy of Physical 
Sciences should be founded in America, and that I would at least make the 
effort to obtain such an act of incorporation for the scientific men of the United 
States, I replied, that it seemed more fitting that some statesman of ripe scholarship 
should take the lead in securing such a measure, but that I felt confident I could 
prepare, introduce, and carry through Congress a measure so eminently calculated 
to advance the cause of science, and to reflect honor upon our country. I promptly 
assumed the responsibility, and with such aid and suggestions as I could obtain, 
I prepared, introduced, and by personal effort with members of both Houses of 
Congress, carried through this act of incorporation without even a division in 
either House. 
* Op. cit., p. 1x. New York University at that time occupied a large building of light- 
colored stone on the east side of Washington Square. The chapel was in this building. 
” Op. cit., pp. 12-15. 
