service. We do not want, nor will condescend to accept of any extra- 

 neous assistance. Confiding in our own resources, we shall through 

 them maintain the struggle till conducted to victory and triumph. 



Among the subjects claiming the early attention of this meeting, 

 is the election of officers for the ensuing year. Estimating as I do, 

 the presidency of the American Medical Association as the highest 

 honour in the gift of the profession, I must decline that enviable 

 distinction. Rotation in office, I am persuaded, is the vital prin- 

 ciple of every institution in this country. Especially do I consider 

 it so in relation to our own association, national in its objects and 

 constitution. Every section of the country is here represented, and 

 equally engaged in a common cause. No monopoly of honour or 

 privileges must be permitted to any one portion of it. I wish our 

 conduct always to be dictated by liberality, justice, and equality. 

 Gratified as I should be by a continuance in that chair, still more 

 w T ill my happiness be consulted, by seeing it occupied by one of the 

 many eminent members which our association claims. 



Dr. G. C. M. Roberts, from the Committee on Arrangements, 

 reported the presence of one hundred and ninety-five delegates. 



On motion of Dr. Hays, the Committee on Publication was directed 

 to distribute copies of the Proceedings of the National Medical Con- 

 ventions of 1846 and 1847 amongst the delegates. 



The following gentlemen were appointed a committee to nominate 

 officers for the Association. 



Drs. IT. I. Bowditch, 

 David King, 

 E. S. Care, 

 N. B. Ives, 

 J. W. Francis, 

 G. B. Twitchell, 

 S. Jackson, 



(Late of Northumberland.) 



R. Rouse, 



B. W. Avent, 



J. P. Harrison, 0. 



On motion of Dr. Condie, it was 



Resolved, That the Committee on Nominations be instructed to 

 return three names for each of the offices provided for by the Con- 

 stitution. 



Dr. Hays introduced the following resolution, which was adopted. 



