In May of 1900, the USP Board of Trustees was directed by the Convention to incorporate the USP organization under the laws of the District of Columbia. Because the District of Columbia required that the majority of officers subscribing to the Certificate of Incorporation be residents, the filing was slightly delayed in order to appoint appropriate representatives. Nevertheless, the articles of incorporation were prepared, appropriately signed, and finally filed on July 11th of that year. The original certificate reads as follows: