It is well known that many manuscripts are buried in the archives of State, or in the libraries of public bodies, which might be transcribed, and which would shed new light on our history. The Bibliotheca Americana, published in England, imperfect as it is, indicates what invaluable and unexplored treasures for our historians may be obtained in that country. " But we would beg leave to solicit the attention of the Legislature more particularly to the history of this State. It is unnecessary to descant upon the imperfections of its natural history. Whole departments of this science have been almost entirely neglected ; the powers

of observation and investigation have not been applied to elucidate and explore them; the destructive hand of time is rapidly sweeping into oblivion many important objects of inquiry; and what might now with facility be rescued from oblivion, the flight of a few years will place beyond the reach of human power. " The civil history of this State may be divided into four parts " I. When occupied by the aborigines. " II. When under the government of the Dutch, which was about half a century. " III. Its state under England, which continued about one hundred and twelve years, and which includes the proprietary government of the Duke of York, and its government under the Kings of Great Britain, excepting about sixteen months, when it was repossessed by the Dutch. "IV. And, lastly, its political existence as a member of an independent government. "Before the lapse of many years, the remnant of the Indian nations which now inhabit the State will experience the fate of all sublunary things. The few antiquities of the country, the forts and the tumuli, which may now be easily explored, will be effaced by the extension of