Scope and Content Note
This series consists of correspondence, resolutions, receipts, agreements, and other legal records relating to the sale of lands granted to New York State under the Morrill Act of 1862.
The records deal mainly with the sale of lands or landscrips to various individuals, particularly Ezra Cornell and the establishment of Cornell University. These records were generated pursuant to laws of 1865 (an act to establish Cornell University) and 1866 (an act to authorize and facilitate the early disposition by the Comptroller of the lands or landscrip donated to New York State under the Morrill Act). The 1865 law authorized payment to the Cornell University Board of Trustees of any revenues or income derived from the sale of Federal lands granted to New York State. The 1866 law authorized the Comptroller to fix the price of lands or scrip sold and to have persons to whom lands or script were sold report annually to the Comptroller.
The New York State Archives is part of the Office of Cultural Education, an office of the New York State Education Department.
To report technical problems with this web site, please contact the New York State Archives at ARCHINFO@mail.nysed.gov