"During the period from 1609, when our shores were first discovered and our noble river ascended by Henry Hudson, to 1614, and while as a Dutch Colony, up to 1664, and subsequently as an English Colony, from that date to 1776, it was well known that the most intimaterelations existed between the colonists and the mother countries, and that the numerous records, documents and continuous correspondence of the governmental agents and others were, as they duly should have been, filed and preserved in the various offices of the respective governments. These related to the occurrence and cause of successive events, to public officers and prominent persons among the colonists, to the character and productions of our new country, and to the feelings and sufferings of our virtuous and heroic ancestors. In addition to these, they related, at a later and still more interesting period of our history, to the events that brought about the War of Revolution, to the political views and acts of our people, to our condition and resources, to our councils, and to the policy of the parent government in connection with the reports and advices of military and naval commanders and civil and judicial officers. " Nor are the particulars here noticed to be obtained alone from the archives of England and Holland. The government of France is presumed to be in possession of documentary papers having reference to the part she took in our Revolutionary struggle, to her subsequent relations to this country, and to ' the French and Indian wars,' which by no means form the least affecting and important portion of our Colonial history. " The military operations of the French in our State, their erection of fortifications at various points, and the events which transpired -- often tragical in their character -- should be subjects of lively interest with the descendants from those who braved the toils and dangers incident to their defenceless condition and the merciless warfare of their enemies.