The charter of the Cooper Union was finally adopted in its present form by the legislature of the State of New York, April 13, 1859; and the deed of
trust, executed in compliance therewith, on the 29th
day of the same month, by Peter Cooper and his wife, Sarah, conveyed to the board of trustees the title to «all that piece and parcel of land bounded on the west by Fourth Avenue, on the north by Astor Place, on the east by Third Avenue, and on the south by
Seventh Street,... to be forever devoted to the advancement of science and art, in their application to the varied and useful purposes of life.»