hen President Lincoln issued his proclamation, a quick thrill shot through the heart of every mother in New York. The Seventh Regiment left at once for the defense of Washington, and the women met at once in parlors and vestries. Perhaps nothing less than the maternal instinct could have forecast the terrible future so quickly. From the parlors of the Drs. Blackwell, and from Dr. Bellows' vestry, came the first call for a public meeting. On the 29th of April, 1861, between three and four thousand women met at the Cooper Union, David Dudley Field in the chair, and eminent men as speakers.
The object was to concentrate scattered efforts by a large and formal organization. Hence the "Woman's Central Association of Relief," the germ of the Sanitary Commission. Dr. Bellows, and Dr. E. Harris, left for Washington as delegates to establish those relations with the Government, so necessary for harmony and usefulness. The board of the Woman's Central, after many changes, consisted of,
Valentine Mott, M.D., President,
Henry W. Bellows, D.D., Vice President,
George F. Allen, Esq., Secretary,
Howard Potter, Esq., Treasurer.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
H. W. Bellows, D.D., Chairman.
Mrs. G. L. Schuyler.[K]
Miss Ellen Collins.
F. L. Olmstead, Esq.
Valentine Mott, M.D.
Mrs. T. d'Orémieulx.
W. H. Draper, M.D.
G. F. Allen, Esq.
REGISTRATION COMMITTEE.
E. Blackwell, M.D., Chairman.
Mrs. H. Baylis.
Mrs. V. Botta.
Wm. A. Muhlenburg, D.D.
Mrs. W. P. Griffin, Secretary.
Mrs. J. A. Swett.
Mrs. C. Abernethy.
E. Harris, M.D.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
Howard Potter, Esq.
John D. Wolfe, Esq.
William Hague, D.D.
J. H. Markoe, M.D.
Mrs. Hamilton Fish.
Mrs. C. M. Kirkland.
Mrs. C. W. Field.
Asa D. Smith, D.D.
While in Washington, Dr. Bellows originated the "United States Sanitary Commission," and on the 24th of June, 1864, the Woman's Central voluntarily offered to become subordinate as one of its branches of supply. The following September this offer was accepted in a formal resolution, establishing also a semi-weekly correspondence between the two boards, by which the wants of the army were made known to the Woman's Central.