John Marshall, the great Chief Justice, then seventy-eight years of age, was chosen the first President of the Society, and Judge William Cranch, eminent as a learned jurist, as a just and impartial magistrate and for the uprightness of his life, was selected as the first Vice-President. In accepting the office of President of the Society, Mr. Marshall replied as follows to the letter of notification addressed to him by Judge Cranch: "RICHMOND, _November 25, 1833_. "DEAR SIR: I received yesterday your letter of the 22d, informing me that the 'Washington Monument Society' has done me the honor to choose me as its President. "You are right in supposing that the most ardent wish of my heart is to see some lasting testimonial of the grateful affection of his country erected to the memory of her first citizen. I have always wished it, and have always thought that the Metropolis of the Union was the fit place for this National Monument. I cannot, therefore, refuse to take any place which the Society may assign me; and though my advanced age forbids the hope of being useful, I am encouraged by the name of the First Vice-President to believe that in him ample compensation will be found for any defects in the President. "With great respect and esteem, I am, dear sir, "Your obd't, "J. MARSHALL." Other officers then chosen were the Mayor of Washington, Second Vice-President (at that time John P. Van Ness, formerly a Representative in Congress); W. W. Seaton, Third Vice-President; Samuel H. Smith, Treasurer; and George Watterston, Secretary. A board of thirteen managers was also appointed to correspond in number with the original States. This board consisted of Gen. Thomas S. Jessup, Col. Jas. Kearney, Col. Nathan Towson, Col. Archibald Henderson, Matthew St. Claire Clark, John McClelland, Thomas Munroe, Col. Geo. Bomford, Robert C. Weightman, Peter Force, Wm. Brent, Esq., Wm. A. Bradley, and Thomas Carbery. Aside from other stated meetings to be provided for, an election for officers and managers was to be held every third year on the 22d of February.