" The application to the authorities of the city of Amsterdam, for permission to examine '

their archives, was at once acceded to in the most courteous manner, and prompt arrangements were made to facilitate my investigations of the records in the Stad-Huys. Quite a number of interesting documents, relating to the City's Colony on the South river, were found and copied. " Examinations were also made of the valuable collections of manuscripts and pamphlets '

in the Royal library at the Hague and the most courteous attention was shown by the esti- ;

mable librarian, Mr. J. W. Holtrop. " ' The result of my researches, in the various repositories in the Netherlands just referred to, is the procurement of sixteen volumes of transcripts, containing upwards of four thousand

pages. As a full and accurate catalogue of the documents transcribed is appended to this report, it is unnecessary to give any particular analysis of their character here. I will only

remark that they commence with the year 1614, and extend down, in a tolerably complete series, to 1678, consisting chiefly of memorials and papers presented to the States-General

respecting New Netherland, and the proceedings of that body in relation to the various matters from time to time brought before them affecting the Colony and its inhabitants. The act of the Legislature directed me to procure, if possible, the originals, and if not, copies of all documents illustrating our history. I applied for the originals, but the regulations of office did not allow a compliance with my request copies were therefore made of the papers ;