" The memorialists constitute the Historical Society of the State of New-York, and were chartered for the important purpose of collecting and preserving documents, papers, evidences, and generally all materials relating to or in any way connected with the history of this State. In discbarge of the duties thus imposed upon them, and in pursuance of the objects thus intrusted by the Legislature to their care, they have been for many years ardently and faithfully engaged in securing from the wreck of time numerous and valuable memorials of our early history, which, but for their laudable efforts, would have been consigned to oblivion. In the prosecution of purposes so important and ennobling, the memorialists, it should be observed, have been limited in their researches to our own country, while it is equally remarkable that a great mass of materials relative to our Colonial history are hid from view and secured within the offices of transatlantic governments. Separated thus far distant from tlie most fruitful

sources of information on this subject, it is but reasonable to suppose that their efforts have been materially restricted and their usefulness abridged. Superadded to this, there has ever existed a great difficulty, if not an impossibility, in obtaining access to the documents, papers, &c., so valuable in illustrating our history, and which, if sought for, have eluded research from the want of that legislative sanction and authority now desired by your memorialists. " Impressed with these considerations, and encouraged by the counsel and inuflence of the most distinguished of our citizens, the petitioners represent that they are desirous to obtain