our counties, and in the ofBce of the Secretary of State to the public offices in the neighboring ;

Colonies, with whose governments the Dutch had negotiations ; and to several books published and which are scarcely known to in the Dutch and Latin languages, relative to this country, us. The darkness which hangs over this branch may be perceived in the History of New- York, written by William Smith, a work which skims lightly over this interesting period, leaving it almost entirely unnoticed. " To supply that part of our history when we were subject to Great Britain, the most valuable materials may be obtained from various sources. From Chalmers' Political Annals it appears that there are many manuscripts in the Plantation Office, entitled 'New-York Entries' and 'New-York Papers.' We find in the catalogue of manuscripts preserved in the British Museum, some writings that refer particularly to this State; and in the catalogue of books belonging to that institution are preserved many works concerning America, in the Dutch, English, French, Spanish and Latin languages, affijrding a fund of information important and inestimable. We also know that there are many interesting books and manuscripts, relative to this country, in the library of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in America; and, perhaps, much important information may be obtained from the public offices in Canada. " The history of our country, since the commencement of the Revolutionary war, is in a better state of preservation ; but even here,how many interesting events are passing into oblivion, how many important facts are distorted and misrepresented, how many illustrious achievements are forgotten or neglected. Documents that may illuminate the obscure, explain the doubtful, and embalm the memories of the good and the great, may now be drawn from their dark abodes, where in a few years they will be forgotten or lost.