"' The policy of France in regard to her Canadian possessions -- the establishment of her military positions on our frontiers, and her negotiations with the Indian tribes on our borders, and within the very limits of our territory itself, are directly and intimately connected with our Colonial history; and hfer long struggle to maintain her influence in the northern portion of our continent, affected, in no small degree, the condition, disposition and purposes of the people of New-York. It was with a view of obtaining authentic historical materials, illustrating these points, that an examination of the archives of the French government was made a part of my duty. " Having made some progress in my researches in London, and commenced the transcription '

of documents there, I wrote to General Cass, then Minister of the United States at Paris, explaining the objects of the State, and requesting his intervention with the French government for the purpose of procuring me permission to examine its archives for papers relating to Canada and New-York. A simple statement of my object was all that was necessary to awaken the warmest interest of tiiat eminent gentleman and he forthwith applied, on my behalf, ;

to Admiral Baron Duperre, then Minister of the Marine and the Colonies, for permission to examine the papers relating to Canada in the bureaus of his department. An answer was promptly returned, authorizing me to make the researches I wished, without limitation; and adding, that " all the facilities he can desire will be accorded" to the Agent. I will only remark, in passing, that this liberality did not prove to be mere formal phrase. " ' In further prosecution of the duties of my mission, I accordingly went to Paris in June, 1842, and commenced my examinations in the archives of the Marine and the Colonies.