"And your memorialists represent that they have been advised by those who from official station had unusual opportunities and facilities for making researches, and have learned from other sources on which they can rely, that there are now in the archives and public offices of Holland and England many documents, letters, correspondences and papers, relating to and bearing upon and directly connected with the events and prominent persons of our Colonial history and of our War of Revolution; which said documents, letters, correspondences and papers contain matters in relation to the views and purposes of those governments in the treatnientof their Colony; the reports, opinions and advices of their Governors, Military Commanders, and other officers then resident here ; the population, resources and general condition of the country, and the character, temper and feeling of the people; all of which were studiously concealed from the colonists, and to a great extent are still unknown in this country.

"And your memorialists represent that the said documents, letters, correspondences and papers illustrate and explain many uncertain passages in our Colonial history and our War of Revolution ; and that without them, or copies thereof, or access thereto, no true and perfect history of this State can ever be written. " And your memorialists represent that, under a sense of the importance of the trust reposed in them, and deeply solicitous to procure this valuable addition to the materials now under their control, they consider it make known to your honorable body that their their duty to means are inadequate to undertake the expense attendant thereon. And they represent further that, even if they did possess the means, they do not believe they could, in their own name, accomplish this object. The inspection of the archives of governments and the documents in public offices is not granted on the application of individuals, or even of private associations, but only on the request of a high power.