James' Park, near the government offices ; and is, in every respect, well adapted to its purposes. In addition to the papers from the offices of the Secretaries of State (among which is to be found a very voluminous correspondence with the Governors and Military Commanders in America), the State Paper Office now contains the whole of the records of the " Board of Trade," down to its dissolution, in the year 1782, which were transferred to it by order of government, in March, 1842. Upwards of two thousand large folio volumes, relating chiefly to the American Colonies, were thus added, in one mass, to this invaluable repository of historical wealth. " ' The general supervision and management of the British Plantations in America, and elsewhere, was entrusted by King Charles II., by royal commission, dated 1 December, 1660, to a standing council, who were instructed to correspond with the several Governors, &c., and in general to dispose of all matters relating to the good government and improvement of the Colonies. Subsequent commissions were from time to time issued to various individuals, substantially of the same tenor, constituting them a Council for Foreign Plantations, for the time being. On the 21st of December, 1G74, the King revoked the commission for the existing council, and directed their books and papers to be delivered to the clerk of the Privy Council. By order in council, dated 12 March, 1675, King Charles II. referred whatever matters had been under the cognizance of the late Council of Trade and Foreign Plantations to a committee of the Privy Council, consisting of the Lord Treasurer, the Lord Privy Seal, and others, and directed them to meet once a week, and report their proceedings to the King in council, from time to time. During the reign of King James II., the afiairs of the Plantations continued to be managed by a similar committee of Privy Council; and upon the accession of this