Descriptive Summary
	Creator:
	Title:	Guide to the Chancellor's Records, 1827-1890
	Abstract:
	Quantity:	7.0 linear feet
	Call Phrase:	RG 3.0.1

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Historical Note

This collection includes materials from the office of the chancellor, the highest administrative office at New York University at the time, dating from the founding of the unversity.

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Scope and Content Note

The records include correspondence concerning the founding of the University with outlines of founding principles, reports on the different plans necessary for organization, subscription book and lists, charter and act of incorporation, council minutes, reports of the University Committees, address to the citizens of New York concerning the University's relationship to Columbia College, convention addresses, inaugural address of Chancellor James M. Mathews, invitations to meetings and conventions, bills and receipts, 1827-1831. Correspondents include John Delafield, Albert Gallatin, Thomas H. Gallaudet, Moran Lewis, Francis Lieber, James M. Mathews, Myndert Van Schaik, and Jonathan M. Wainwright.

Also included is material about the original University building at Washington Square constructed in 1835, with the deed of sale for Washington Square property, requests for work on the building, minutes of the Building Committee, estimates for construction, specifications and descriptions, laying of the cornerstone, and bills and receipts,1833-1836. Correspondents include John Delafield, Seth Geer, Valentine Mott, Dr W. B. Sprague, Samuel Thomson, and the architectural firm of Town, Davis & Dakin.

University financial records include subscription lists, loan and mortgage agreements, fire insurance policies, resolutions about a system of finance for the University, library fees, graduation fees, reports on scholarships, scholarship forms, lists of paying students, professorial endowments, professorial salaries, commencement expenses, bank book, reports and published statements of the Finance Committee, correspondence from the firm of Ward & Ogden concerning the rental of floors in University Building to merchants, estimates for renovations and alterations to University Building, Alumni endowment fund record, payment of salaries in funded coupons, and bills and receipts, 1830-1882.

In addition, the records contain the Chancellor's annual reports to the Council, reports to Regents of the University of the State of New York, committee reports, departmental reports, report of Committee on Elections, reports of honorary degrees, Council minutes, grade sheets, merit book, degrees granted with lists of recipients, resolutions by alumni, applications and testimonials about German professorships, newspaper articles about the University, and printed material issued by the University, 1830-1888.

Of particular interest in the records are the following: an original subscription book; a letter from Gallatin to Delafield (Jan. 10, 1831) expressing his views on the University; a letter from James Milnor discussing the "religious dimension" of the University (Feb. 10, 1835); Benjamin F. Butler and James M. Mathews correspondence concerning the founding of the law school in 1835; Charles Butler correspondence with Mathews from Albany concerning state propriation; letters from Samuel F. B. Morse complaining about conditions in University Building (Feb. and April, 1836); a report concerning the establishment of the Medical faculty (January 1837); letters and reports about the faculty controversy of 1838; tenants agreements for the University building (Oct. 1, 1849); a petition requesting the dismissal of Professor George Anthon (March 1851); rules of order and discipline, 1853; commencement costs for the class of 1854 (March 6, 1854); letter concerning Morse's telegraphic invention (Oct. 4, 1854); printed list of professors and instructors for 1857-1858; a plan for the reorganiztion of the Law School in 1858; an annotated catalog of the University for 1859-1860 from Chancellor Isaac Ferris' desk; letter from Regents regarding military organization during the Civil War (1862); class cards for the Medical School, 1864-1865; Benjamin Abbott's views on legal instruction at the University (Jul. 8, 1864); proposed course of Law study and reorganization of the Law faculty (Aug. 3, 1864); John W. Draper's report on the Medical School fire (May 25, 1866); a letter from George Comfort to Chancellor Ferris about scholarly societies (Jun. 1, 1868); a letter from John Draper to Howard Crosby about a meeting to discuss the reorganization of the University, July 22, 1870; a plan for the Departments of Science and Arts, June 22, 1871; lecture notices for free education programs, 1871-1872; correspondence with the Royal College of Surgeons, April and June 1876; and printed material of the Council, faculty, and administration pertaining to the "Crisis of 1881."

Additional correspondents include Henry Martyn Baird, Benjamin F. Butler, Charles Butler, Thomas Clarke, Howard Crosby, Henry E. Davies, Henry Draper, John W. Draper, Isaac Ferris, Theodore Frelinghuysen, Alfred H. Guernsey, John Hall, Joseph Henry, David R. Jaques, M. K. Jesup, John Taylor Johnston, Elias Loomis, Benjamin N. Martin, William R. Martin, Cyrus Mason, James McCosh, John Mulligan, William C. Noyes, James Parton, Noah Porter, Whitelaw Reid, T. Addison Richards, James Tallmadge, Henry P. Tappan, John Torrey, Henry Tuckerman, W. S. Tyler, and Henry Vethake.

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Arrangement
	This collection is arranged chronologically.
	This collection is organized as one series.

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Related Material at the New York University Archives

Reproduction of ALS, from T. Dwight to Thomas H. Gallaudet, dated: February 1, 1831. Located in Thomas H. Gallaudet biographical file. Reproduction courtesy of Kenneth S. Rothschild.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Open to researchers.

Use Restrictions

There may be some restrictions on the use of the collection. For more information, contact
New York University Archives
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012

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Access Points
	Subject Names:
		Delafield, John
		Gallatin, Albert, 1761-1849.
		Gallaudet, Thomas Hopkins, 1787-1851
		Lewis, Moran, 1754-1844
		Lieber, Francis, 1800-1872
		Mathews, James McFarlane, 1785-1870
		Mott, Valentine, 1785-1865
		Thomson, Samuel, 1769-1843
		Wainwright, Jonathan M., 1792-1854
	Document Types
		Bills
		Clippings
		Correspondence
		Minutes
		Receipts
		Vouchers

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Administrative Information

Provenance

Preferred Citation

Published citations should take the following form:

Identification of item, date (if known); Chancellor's Records, 1827-1890; RG 3.0.1; box number; folder number; New York University Archives , New York University Libraries.

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Container List

Box	Folder	Title	Date
1	1	Letters from the Reverend James M. Mathews	1827
1	2	Invitations to meeting to consider establishment of the University	1830 Jan. 4
1	3	Petition of the New University	1830 Jan. 25
1	4	Invitation to Meeting Re: Establishment of the University	1830 Sept. 25
1	5	Report of Committee on the Plan of Organization for the University
1	6	An address to the citizens of New York on the claims of Columbia College and the New University to their patronage (reaction of Columbia College)	1830 Jan. 20
1	7	Reaction of Columbia College	1830 Jan.-1830 Feb.
1	8	Funding of Columbia College	1830
1	9	Dr. Jonathan M. Wainwright's subscription book (note indicates: see Standing Committee minutes, Feb. 15, 1830)	1830 Jan. 25
1	10	Letters, John Delafield to Mathews; John Gibson to Mathews, Wainwright, and Delafield	1830 July. 13
1	11	Letter, John B. Gibson to Mathews	1830 Sept. 8
1	12	Invitations to Literary Convention of 1830	1830 Sept. 10
1	13	William C. Woodbridge correspondence including responses to invitation to meet and other matters	1831 Jan. 31
1	14	Thomas H. Gallaudet to mathews including response to invitation to mee and other matters.	1830 Sept. 17
1	15	Henry E. Dwight to Delafield with response to invitation to meet and other matters	1830 Sept. 17
1	16	Samuel H. Turner to Mathews with response to invitation to meeting; Jared Sparks to Mathews, Wainwright and Delafield letters	Sept. 23
1	17	Albert Gallatin to Delafield concerning assistance	1830 Sept. 28
1	18	Benjamin Silliman to Mathews, response and other matters	1830 Oct. 4
1	19	J. Irvine [?] to Mathews, Wainwright, Gallatin, and Delafield: response to invitation	1830 Oct. 5
1	20	R. Emmett [?] to Delafield, declining an offer	1830 Oct. 6
1	21	Edward Robinson to Mathews, on printed notice of prospectus of Repository of Biblical Literature; response to invitation	1830 Oct. 7
1	22	Nathaniel Chauncey to Mathews, Wainwright, and Delafield: response to invitation	1830 Oct. 8
1	23	Francis Leiber to Wainwright, Mathews, Gallatin, and Delafield: response to invitation	1830 Oct. 8
1	24	Edward Everett to Mathews, Wainwright, and Delafield: response to invitation	1830 Oct. 9
1	25	F. R. Hassler response to invitation	1830 Oct. 12
1	26	Roger Sherman response with note on founding University	1830 Oct. 12
1	27	Printed list of subscribers	1830 Oct. 13
1	28	List of subscribers as of Oct 13, 1830 (prepared by Dr. Jones)	1830 Oct. 13
1	29	Typescript and manuscript lists of subscribers	1830
1	30	Letter, Wainwright to Delafield	1830 Oct. 13
1	31	Election of First Council, certified	1830 Oct. 13-1830 Oct. 15
1	32	Council Minutes (handwritten)	1830 Oct 13-Dec
1	33	Letter, Hon. T. Grimhe to Mathews, response to invitation	1830 Oct. 14
1	34	Henry Vethake to Mathews	1830 Oct. 15
1	35	I. Chaplin to Mathews	1830 Oct. 15
1	36	Myndert Van Schaick to Delafield, response with note about the founding of the University	1830 Oct. 15
1	37	Francis Lieber to John Delafield	1830 Oct. 15
1	38	Dr. Eliphalet Nott (Union College) to Mathews	1830 Oct. 16
1	39	Moses Stuart to Committee	1830 Oct. 18
1	40	Council Minutes of the first meeting of the Council of the University	1830 Oct. 18
1	41-42	Literary Convention replies, from those unable to attend (no significant comments)	1830 Oct. 20
1	43	Jared Sparks to Delafield, about sketch of organization of Harvard College	1830 Nov. 1
1	44	Joseph Leo Wolf to Delafield, about account of German Universities	1830 Nov. 2
1	45	Francis Lieber to Delafield, his view as a foreigner to the convention	1830 Nov. 3
1	46	Gallatin to Delafield, about speaking at Convention	1830 Nov. 8
1	47	William R. Keating to Delafield, about address at Convention	1830 Nov. 15
1	48	Roswell Park to John Delafield	1830 Nov. 30
1	49	Thomas H. Gallaudet to Delafield	1830 Dec. 27
1	50	Founding materials include: printed notice of particulars of principles on which the University was established, printed notice to fellow citizens on a more detailed exposition of the manner in which the founding principles were to be carried out; letter from Dr. Wainwright on learning seminary, Delafield's outline of the NYU program; letter from Horatio Gatso Spofford to editors at Courier and Enquirer; letter from Moran Lewis to Delafield and Van Schaick about money subscribed to the University; printed notice of statement of general principles upon which the Univeristy is to be established and with the conditions upon which patronage and subscriptions are to be solicited; and one letter to Delafield, and one from D.H. Mahon; printed "A Letter to the Editor of Courier and Enquirer in reply to that paper on the College Question."	1830
1	51	Report of a Committee on the Plan of Organization for the University of the City of New York
1	52	Letters, Watson Webb to Delafield about printing office; Mathews to Delafield	1830?
1	53	Receipts for capital stock	1831 Jan. 3
1	54	Gallatin to Delafield (presumably the earlier of two letters to Delafield written on the same day)	1831 Jan. 10
1	55	Gallatin to Delafield (presumably the latter of two letters to Delafield written on the same day), photocopy (See: Box 14, folder 1 for original)	1831 Jan. 10
1	56	Gallatin to Delafield	1831 Jan. 12
1	57	An act incorporating the University of the City of New York, handwritten, amended and adopted on this date; an amendment to this act	1831 Jan. 20
1	58	Moran Lewis to New York State Legislature, original not dated (memorial was adopted at Council meeting on this date); Francis Lieber to Delafield, about receiving report of the Literary Convention (See: Box 14, folder 2)	Jan. 28
Box	Folder	Title	Date
2	1	Charles L. Livingston to Delafield	1831 Feb. 14
2	2	Gallatin to Delafield	1831 Feb. 16
2	3	William Dunlap to Council, invitation to witness the mode of instruction in the Arts of Design in operation at the National Academy	1831 Feb. 21
2	4	Letter	1831 Mar. 7
2	5	Charter and Statutes, Report of the Counci Committee on	1831 Apr. 18
2	6	Charter, Act of Incorporation, copy of the Incorporation of the University of the City of New York (See: Box 14, folder 3)	1831 Apr. 18
2	7	Report on University organization	1831 May. 24
2	8	William A. Colman to Gallatin	1831 Jun. 17
2	9	Resolutions adopted at meeting of Literary Convention	1831 Sept. 13
2	10	Letters	1831 Jun.-1831 Sept.
2	11	Literary Convention materials include: members invited, Council Minutes, communications about education in other institutions, and constitution of National Society of Science, Literature, and the Arts
2	12	Report on expediency and advantages of establishing professorships of history in universities	1831 Nov. 5
2	13	Same report as above in handwritten and typescript done by Jared Sparks, William C. Woodbridge, and Francis Lieber	1831
2	14	University to William H. Buckley, possibly bill for legall services
2	15	Letters about real estate at Washington Square and other matters (some correspondence in French)	1832 Jan -1832 Jun ,
2	16	Miscellaneous	1832 Jan.
2	17	Report of the Council Committee on Measures to open the University in October 1832	1832 Apr. 19
2	18	Report of the Council Committee on the subject establishing of a professorship of Law	1832 May. 1
2	19	Dr. James Milnor's address at the opening of the University	1832 Sept. 26
2	20	Inaugural address of Chancellor James M. Mathews, handwritten original and printed copy as it appeared in his Recollections of Persons and Events chiefly in the City of New York being selections from his Journals (NY: Sheldon & Co., 1865)
2	21	Extracts from letters of George W. Strong to his brother-in-law, John Nelson Lloyd, with reference to the University (typescript copies)	1832 Oct. 9
2	22	Deed of sale of Washington Square property, Samuel Thomson to University; with preceding transactions	1832 Nov. 26
2	23	Requests for work on University Building	1832-1840
2	24	Valentine Mott to John Delafield	1832?-1838?
2	25	Bill, Samuel Thomson re sale of Washington Square property	1833 Mar. 15
2	26	Letter to Dr. Otis Pollard	1833 Apr. 7
2	27	Stonework for original building contract between Robert Willse (?) agent and University; contract and prices for University building	1833 Apr. 24
2	28	Estimates for construction of original building	1833 May. 9
2	29	Correspondence from Dr. [?] Sprague	1833 May. 18
2	30	Ithiel [?] Town, building estimate; Copy of survey site for University Building (See: Box 14, folder 4)
2	31	Specifications and description of original building (printed copy)
2	32	Articles of agreement between University and builder Seth Geer; also correspondence and carpenter's estimate (See also: Box 14, folder 5)	1833 May. 13
2	33	Construction bills for University building from Seth Geer	1833 June -1836 May ,
2	34	Letter about the laying of the cornerstone and aims of the University	1833 Jul. 16
2	35	Comment of founding of University (NY Mirror, Aug. 31, 1833 [?])	1833 Aug. 31
2	36	The Sun	1833 Sept. 3
2	37	Chancellor's Report	1833 Oct. 23
2	38	Letter from Vethake, Milligan, and Torrey to Council and salaries (See: Box 14, folder 6)	1833 Nov 4-Nov 5
2	39	Anonymous letter about University and about Chancellor Mathews	1833 Nov. 15
2	40	Photocopy of bills from the architectural firm of Town, Davis & Dakin	1833 Nov-1834 Jul
2	41	An Exposition of the Reasons for the Resignation of Some of the Professors in the University of the City of New York (printed)	1833 Nov. 21
2	42	Correspondence about the controversty between the Chancellor and the faculty (Nov.); Report of the Council Election; correspondence from Mathews	1833 Nov. 4