1 8 NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



More than three-fifths of the incorporators replied to this re- 

 quest, and on March i8, 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 1 1 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. II. 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. 



