I have before slated that, in the course of my investigations in the State Paper Office, I ascertained that there were other series of books and papers than those the terms of my original permission allowed me to inspect, containing information respecting our history ; and that a subsequent order from Lord Aberdeen gave me the liberty to examine a large number of additional volumes. I am far from affirming, however, that everything in relation to our history, in the British archives, has been obtained though I think it may safely be said that the greater and more valuable portion ;

of the materials there preserved has been secured. Had sufficient funds been placed at my disposal, I should have pursued my researches until everything accessible had been obtained ;

and should especially have endeavored to procure copies of the correspondence of the British Military Commanders in America, from the surrender of Canada to the end of the American Revolution.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION. xxxv " ' The selection of documents was a point necessarily left to the discretion of the Agent; and in the execution of this important duty I adopted for my rule a principle which cannot be better expressed than in the words of the Editors of the "Clarendon State Papers," who say in their preface --" In so large a collection, there occurred, as might well be expected, some papers of a private nature, others of no consequence to the public. To separate these from the rest was a point left to the discretion of the Editors by the Trustees of the late Lord Hyde. Such, therefore, as appeared to them in either of these lights are rejected from publication. They have used their best judgment, and the utmost caution, in acquitting themselves of this trust ; and if there are still any given which may appear to some to be scarce worthy of publication, they desire it may be considered that men's ideas of such matters are often very diHerent, and that any particular paper which, upon being perused apart from the rest, may seem of too little consequence to merit the public notice, would yet have been very improperly suppressed, either because it may be connected with and tend to illustrate a more interesting paper, or on account of some other circumstance which may not immediately occur to the reader." '• 'Immediately on my arrival in New-York, in August last, I waited on Governor Bouck, and acquainted him with the results of my mission.