Stone, and others, an act was passed, with great unanimity on the 2d May, 1839, authorizing the appointment of an Agent " to visit England, Holland and France, for the purpose of procuring, if possible, the originals, and if not, copies, of all such documents and papers in the ai-chives and offices of those governments, relating to or in any way affecting the Colonial or other history of this State, as he may deem important to illustrate that history," and directing that the documents, when procured, be deposited in the office of the Secretary of State, at Albany, subject to the use of the State Historical Society. " Under this act I had the honor to receive a commission as Agent, on the 20th of January, '

1841. By the general instructions, in which the views of the Executive in relation to the duties of my mission were subsequently communicated to me, I was advised to proceed first to Holland, and ascertain what documents required my attention there and then to England ;

and to France. The inspection of the State papers of foreign governments, it is well known, is not a mere matter of course, but is considered a privilege of a high order; and is granted

in most cases only upon applications backed by high personal or official influence. I had an interview, accordingly, with the Secretary of State of the United States, for the purpose of procuring specific instructions to the American Ministers at London, Paris and the Hague, in favor of my Agency ; but he having declined giving them at that time, I embarked for Europe on the 1st of May, 1841. " On my arrival at London, on my way to Holland, I had several interviews with Mr. '