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BUILDING NEWYORK UNIVERSITY
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BUTLER, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.Autograph Letter Signed,“B.F. Butler,” as US
Attorney General, to NewYork State Comptroller Azariah C. Flagg, appealing to him for
help in securing [debt] relief on behalf of New York University. With his Franking
Signature and holograph address on address leaf. 1 page, 4to, ruled paper, with integral
address leaf; address leaf inlaid, folds.
Washington, 17 February 1838
[700/1,000]
“
I understand that the Council of the University of the City of NewYork, desires a postponement of
the collection of the judgment, moved against them for the benefit of the state, until the result of their
application to the Legislature, for relief in the matter, can be known. From the statements made to me
a year or two since, I was inclined to think, that the Legislature would feel it just to extend some
relief; as it seemed to me, that in consequence of the unfortunate delay in the delivery of the marble,
the University had been subjected to a considerable loss. I do not profess to be master of the subject, nor
do I know that you can grant the desired postponement; and the object of my present note is merely to
commend the subject to as favorable a consideration, as your powers & sense of justice will allow.”
In 1833, when NewYork University purchased theWashington Square property which forms the cen-
ter of today’s NYU campus, the University also contracted with the prison at Sing Sing to provide a
quantity of marble for building. On February 1, 1838, a judgment was filed against the University
on behalf of the prison, presumably because the University finances were insufficient at the time to pay
for the marble. On May 14, 1840, the NewYork Senate passed an act directing the Comptroller to
credit the prison for the amount of the judgment.