" The schedules of documents accompanying the report I have not found it possible to command the time even to read, although the transmission of the report has been delayed for some days, in the hope that so much leisure might be found. Any further delay would only abridge the time which will be allowed to the Legislature to make these examinations, and to take the necessary action to bring the Agency to a final close and the accounts of the Agent to a settlement and liquidation. Hence, the report and accompanying papers are

xxii GENERAL INTRODUCTION. transmitted without the information which enables me to make any recommendation, or even suggestions, as to the legislation called for or the appropriations required. " SILAS WRIGHT.

« ' REPORT OF JOHN ROMEYN BRODHEAD.

" ' To His Excellency, Silas Weight, " ' Governor of the State of New -York. " ' Sir -- have now the honor to lay before you a I final report of my proceedings, as Agent of the State of New-York, under the act entitled " An act to appoint an Agent to procure and transcribe documents in Europe relative to the Colonial history of this State," passed May 2, 1839, and of the results of my researches in the archives of Holland, England and France. "' Before, however, detailing these proceedings, it may not be out of place to refer briefly

to the circumstances which led to the passage of the act of the Legislature by which the enterprise now brought to a conclusion was sanctioned. " ' This Agency is the result of the antiquarian spirit that has lately gained so much ground in our country. That spirit, growing and freshening with the advance of years, has been greatly strengthened and fostered by the exertions of the New-York Historical Society ; an institution which, it is but faint praise to say, has more than fulfilled the high hopes entertained of its future value and influence, by its projectors, in the year 1804.