April 23, 1865. Ezra Cornell to Alonzo B. Cornell: "The Genesee College swindle is bad enough, but it will be worse for that college than for me?. Several members urged it to be stricken out and the amount to be divided among the members to pay for passing the bill without the amendment -- Others said $15,000 to members would secure the passage of the bill -- Others thought $10,000 would do it -- Still others thought $250. It seems to be conceded that we never had a more corrupt Assembly than the one now in session. The University bill has no stains beyond what appears on its face." Topics: Civil War; Cornell University: founding legislation, trustees, buildings; letters of support for the passage of the "Cornell University" bill; passage of "Cornell University" bill; New York State Legislature: legislation, letters from constituents and others; Forest Park farm; People's College; agriculture; assassination of Abraham Lincoln; Western Union Telegraph Company: dividends Personal names: Smith, F.O.J.; Brown, Amos; Cornell, Franklin C.; Schuyler, Eugene; Millspaugh, John H.; Finch, F.M.; Cornell, D.B.; Lincoln, Abraham Geography: Ithaca, N.Y.