376 PROCEEDINGS OF [1845. 
Special Public Meeting , held in the Hall of the House of Repre¬ 
sentatives , January 14, 1845. 
The Hon. Levi Woodbury delivered the Annual Address, to a 
large and highly intelligent audience. After its conclusion, on motion 
of Richard S. Coxe, Esq., Mr. W. W. Seaton was called to the 
chair, and John K. Townsend was chosen Secretary. 
On motion of Richard S. Coxe, Esq., it was unanimously resolved, 
That the thanks of the National Institute be presented to the Hon. 
Mr. \¥oodbury, for the able and interesting address delivered this 
evening, and that a copy be requested for publication. 
On the 16th instant, the following reply was received from the 
Hon. Mr. Woodbury, accompanied by a copy of the address: 
Gentlemen : I feel much obliged by the kind manner in which you request a 
copy of my recent address; and, though conscious of many imperfections in it, 
consider myself bound to place it at your disposal. 
Respectfully, LEVI WOODBUBY. 
To the Members of the National Institute . 
Annual Meeting , January 29, 1845. 
Col. Abert informed the meeting that he had recently received a 
letter from the President of the Institute, Hon. Joel R. Poinsett, 
suggesting the propriety of electing a presiding officer in his stead, 
as, for various reasons, he felt himself unable to render such services 
to the Institute as he could wish, and which such an officer, properly 
selected, should have it in his power to render. 
The meeting then proceeded to ballot for officers to serve the In¬ 
stitute during the ensuing year, and the tellers reported the following 
gentlemen duly elected: 
For President . 
Hon. Levi Woodbury. 
For Vice President . 
Peter Force. 
For Corresponding Secretary . 
Francis Markoe, Jr. 
For Recording Secretary , 
John K. Townsend. 
For Ti 'casurer . 
George W. Riggs, Jr. 
