" The general policy of the European governments towards their transatlantic possessions has been heretofore studied by us chiefly in the acts of their agents here, while its comparative unimportance in the domestic history of those States has caused it to be often overlooked or superficially treated by European historians. It is represented to us that there are now, in the archives and public offices of Holland and England, many papers relating to the events and persons prominent in our local history anterior to and through the Revolution. Among such papers may be expected to be found reports, advices, and other communications from the Colonial Governors, Military Commanders, the early colonists, and other individuals resident here. " The policy of France, in establishing her military positions upon this continent, is regarded among the most important and interesting particulars of our history; and her long struggle to retain those positions exercised a great influence for a long period upon the condition, disposition and purposes of the people of New-York. It is, I presume, chiefly with a view to obtaining authentic evidence concerning this part of our history tiiat you are expected to visit that country. " It would be highly interesting to obtain the originals or copies of the instructions forwarded to the French and English Governors of Canada to learn the views which possessed ;

them, of a commercial, military or colonizing character; their expectations of the future growth of their settlements bordering upon the colony of New-York their expenditures and ;