She asked President Garfield to become the president of the American Red Cross, but he declined. She told him that in other countries kings and chief magistrates were its presidents; but President Garfield thought he knew a person to whom that honor belonged in America. When the American Red Cross was actually organized, Clara Barton was made its president on nomination of James A. Garfield, President of the United States. On the very next day after receipt of Secretary Blaine’s letter, Clara Barton held a meeting and organized a National Society of the Red Cross. The society was duly and promptly incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia. At a subsequent meeting, held on the 9th of June, 1881, the following officers were elected: Miss Clara Barton, _President_. Judge William Lawrence, _First Vice-President_. Dr. Alexander Y. P. Garnett, _Vice-President of the District of Columbia_. A. S. Solomons, _Treasurer_. George Kennan, _Secretary_. EXECUTIVE BOARD Judge William Lawrence, _Chairman_. Dr. George B. Loring. Gen. S. D. Sturgis. Mrs. S. A. Martha Canfield. Mr. Walter P. Phillips. Miss Clara Barton. Mr. Walker Blaine. Col. Richard J. Hinton. Mrs. F. B. Taylor. Mr. Wm. F. Sliney. Mr. John R. Van Wormer. Gen. R. D. Mussey, _Consulting Counsel of the Association_. Miss Clara Barton, _Corresponding Secretary_. Nothing could have seemed more auspicious than the outlook of the American Red Cross on the day of its organization. It had the support of the President, his Cabinet, and the Senate, and its birth was hailed with satisfaction by all civilized nations. The signing and approval of the treaty appeared a trivial formality. Just when everything was proceeding finely, President Garfield was shot by a fanatic on July 2, 1881. He lingered through the summer, and on September 19th he died. The Red Cross Treaty had not been signed. CHAPTER IX THE TRIALS OF A TREATY The methods of treaty-making in the United States have varied. In a few instances the Senate has taken the initiative and asked the President’s concurrent action. In at least one instance the President has negotiated the treaty without the assistance of the Senate and requested the Senate to adopt it without change. In several cases the coördinate treaty-making powers have moved together, the President concurring with the Senate’s Committee on Foreign Relations. In the matter of the Red Cross Treaty, as we have seen, the President took the initiative in coöperation with the Secretary of State, and the Senate in due time requested the Secretary of State to submit the documents bearing upon the matter. This was the status when President Garfield was shot. During the weeks of his illness the Nation’s interest centered in his sick-room.