"'It was hoped that, on a review of the subject, Her Majesty's government would have looked more auspiciously upon the application, and that, so far from perceiving in it anything objectionable, would rather have viewed the objects of the State as of a purely literary and altogether praiseworthy character, and, as such, commending themselves to the favorableand liberal consideration of an enlightened government. But the then ministry went out of office without having altered or modified their decision, which -- considering the impossibility of my pointing out the particular documents I might wish to have transcribed, without having the opportunity of learning even the date of one of them -- amounted, in fact, to a refusal of the application of the State. While referring to this subject, I cannot omit availing myself of the occasion to acknowledge the warm and ready interest Mr. Stevenson took in the objects of the Agency, and the personal obligations I feel for the courtesies he extended to the Agent. " Meantime, pursuant to my instructions and to Mr. Stevenson's advice, I had proceeded to '

Holland, with a view of investigating the archives of that country for documents relating to our early Colonial history ; intending, upon the termination of my researches in the Netherlands, to return to London, and avail myself of the expected liberality of the British government. Immediately on my arrival at the Hague, I opened the business of my mission to Mr. Bleecker, then the Charge d' Affaires of the United States near the King of the Netherlands. The well known interest of this gentleman in the cause of historical research, induced him to enter, at once, cordially into the views of the State; and I gladly and gratefully embrace this opportunity to renew the expression of my thanks for those valuable counsels, and friendly efforts to further the objects of my appointment, which he was always ready to give and anxious to make.