it is claimed that it has " never permitted itself to be surpassed by any other, in the countenance which it has at all times extended to every judicious effort for the promotion of useful knowledge." Some time subsequently, Lord Aberdeen having suggested that though it might not be possible for me to furnish a specific list of the historical documents desired, yet, that a general statement of their nature must be practicable, and would facilitate a decision on the pending application, I prepared a statement of the kind proposed, and as specific as the nature of the case admitted ; which Mr. Everett transmitted to his lordship, in a note dated 14th February, 1842, in which the purely literary character and objects of my commission were again urged, and the hope expressed that the synopsis I had prepared would remove whatever hesitation may have existed in reference to a compliance with my request. " ' It is unnecessary to detail the various difficulties that were encountered, and the many delays that occurred, before the desired permission was obtained. At length, on the 6th of April, 1842, I commenced my labors in " Her Majesty's State Paper Office." An order was sent by Lord Aberdeen to the keeper of the state papers, allowing me to inspect the documents in the office relative to the Province of New-York with the understanding that ;

my examinations were to be made in the presence of an officer of the establishment, and that I was merely, in the first instance, to indicate, by slips of paper, the documents I might wish to transcribe, and not to transcribe, or make extracts of any of them, until the papers so indicated should have been examined and allowed, on the part of Lord Aberdeen. " ' This order was interpreted by the keeper of the state papers with such strictness as to cause me serious embarrassment and inconvenience.